Harry_Potter_all_books_preprocessed.txt

THE BOY WHO LIVED Mr and Mrs Dursley of number four Privet Drive were proud to say that they were perfectly normal thank you very much .They were the last people youd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious because they just didnt hold with such nonsense .Mr Dursley was the director of a firm called Grunnings which made drills .He was a big beefy man with hardly any neck although he did have a very large mustache .Mrs Dursley was thin and blonde and had nearly twice the usual amount of neck which came in very useful as she spent so much of her time craning over garden fences spying on the neighbors .The Dursley s had a small son called Dudley and in their opinion there was no finer boy anywhere .The Dursleys had everything they wanted but they also had a secret and their greatest fear was that somebody would discover it .They didnt think they could bear it if anyone found out about the Potters .Mrs Potter was Mrs Dursleys sister but they hadnt met for several years in fact Mrs Dursley pretended she didnt have a sister because her sister and her goodfornothing husband were as unDursleyish as it was possible to be .The Dursleys shuddered to think what the neighbors would say if the Potters arrived in the street .The Dursleys knew that the Potters had a small son too but they had never even seen him .This boy was another good reason for keeping the Potters away they didnt want Dudley mixing with a child like that .When Mr and Mrs Dursley woke up on the dull gray Tuesday our story starts there was nothing about the cloudy sky outside to suggest that strange and mysterious things would soon be happening all over the country .Mr Dursley hummed as he picked out his most boring tie for work and Mrs Dursley gossiped away happily as she wrestled a screaming Dudley into his high chair .None of them noticed a large tawny owl flutter past the window .At half past eight Mr Dursley picked up his briefcase pecked Mrs Dursley on the cheek and tried to kiss Dudley goodbye but missed because Dudley was now having a tantrum and throwing his cereal at the walls .Little tyke chortled Mr Dursley as he left the house .He got into his car and backed out of number fours drive .It was on the corner of the street that he noticed the first sign of something peculiar a cat reading a map .For a second Mr Dursley didnt realize what he had seen then he jerked his head around to look again .There was a tabby cat standing on the corner of Privet Drive but there wasnt a map in sight .What could he have been thinking of ?It must have been a trick of the light .Mr Dursley blinked and stared at the cat .It stared back .As Mr Dursley drove around the corner and up the road he watched the cat in his mirror .It was now reading the sign that said Privet Drive no looking at the sign cats couldnt read maps or signs .Mr Dursley gave himself a little shake and put the cat out of his mind .As he drove toward town he thought of nothing except a large order of drills he was hoping to get that day .But on the edge of town drills were driven out of his mind by something else .As he sat in the usual morning traffic jam he couldnt help noticing that there seemed to be a lot of strangely dressed people about .People in cloaks .Mr Dursley couldnt bear people who dressed in funny clothes the getups you saw on young people !He supposed this was some stupid new fashion .He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and his eyes fell on a huddle of these weirdos standing quite close by .They were whispering excitedly together .Mr Dursley was enraged to see that a couple of them werent young at all why that man had to be older than he was and wearing an emeraldgreen cloak !The nerve of him !But then it struck Mr Dursley that this was probably some silly stunt these people were obviously collecting for something .yes that would be it .The traffic moved on and a few minutes later Mr Dursley arrived in the Grunnings parking lot his mind back on drills .Mr Dursley always sat with his back to the window in his office on the ninth floor .If he hadnt he might have found it harder to concentrate on drills that morning .He didnt see the owls swooping past in broad daylight though people down in the street did they pointed and gazed openmouthed as owl after owl sped overhead .Most of them had never seen an owl even at nighttime .Mr Dursley however had a perfectly normal owlfree morning .He yelled at five different people .He made several important telephone calls and shouted a bit more .He was in a very good mood until lunchtime when he thought hed stretch his legs and walk across the road to buy himself a bun from the bakery .Hed forgotten all about the people in cloaks until he passed a group of them next to the bakers .He eyed them angrily as he passed .He didnt know why but they made him uneasy .This bunch were whispering excitedly too and he couldnt see a single collecting tin .It was on his way back past them clutching a large doughnut in a bag that he caught a few words of what they were saying .The Potters thats right thats what I heard yes their son Harry Mr Dursley stopped dead .Fear flooded him .He looked back at the whisperers as if he wanted to say something to them but thought better of it .He dashed back across the road hurried up to his office snapped at his secretary not to disturb him seized his telephone and had almost finished dialing his home number when he changed his mind .He put the receiver back down and stroked his mustache thinking .no he was being stupid .Potter wasnt such an unusual name .He was sure there were lots of people called Potter who had a son called Harry .Come to think of it he wasnt even sure his nephew was called Harry .Hed never even seen the boy .It might have been Harvey .Or Harold .There was no point in worrying Mrs Dursley she always got so upset at any mention of her sister .He didnt blame her if hed had a sister like that .but all the same those people in cloaks .He found it a lot harder to concentrate on drills that afternoon and when he left the building at five oclock he was still so worried that he walked straight into someone just outside the door .Sorry he grunted as the tiny old man stumbled and almost fell .It was a few seconds before Mr Dursley realized that the man was wearing a violet cloak .He didnt seem at all upset at being almost knocked to the ground .On the contrary his face split into a wide smile and he said in a squeaky voice that made passersby stare Dont be sorry my dear sir for nothing could upset me today !Rejoice for You KnowWho has gone at last !Even Muggles like yourself should be celebrating this happy happy day !And the old man hugged Mr Dursley around the middle and walked off .Mr Dursley stood rooted to the spot .He had been hugged by a complete stranger .He also thought he had been called a Muggle whatever that was .He was rattled .He hurried to his car and set off for home hoping he was imagining things which he had never hoped before because he didnt approve of imagination .As he pulled into the driveway of number four the first thing he saw and it didnt improve his mood was the tabby cat hed spotted that morning .It was now sitting on his garden wall .He was sure it was the same one it had the same markings around its eyes .Shoo !said Mr Dursley loudly .The cat didnt move .It just gave him a stern look .Was this normal cat behavior ?Mr Dursley wondered .Trying to pull himself together he let himself into the house .He was still determined not to mention anything to his wife .Mrs Dursley had had a nice normal day .She told him over dinner all about Mrs Next Doors problems with her daughter and how Dudley had learned a new word Wont .Mr Dursley tried to act normally .When Dudley had been put to bed he went into the living room in time to catch the last report on the evening news And finally birdwatchers everywhere have reported that the nations owls have been behaving very unusually today .Although owls normally hunt at night and are hardly ever seen in daylight there have been hundreds of sightings of these birds flying in every direction since sunrise .Experts are unable to explain why the owls have suddenly changed their sleeping pattern .The newscaster allowed himself a grin .Most mysterious .And now over to Jim McGuffin with the weather .Going to be any more showers of owls tonight Jim ?Well Ted said the weatherman I dont know about that but its not only the owls that have been acting oddly today .Viewers as far apart as Kent Yorkshire and Dundee have been phoning in to tell me that instead of the rain I promised yesterday theyve had a downpour of shooting stars !Perhaps people have been celebrating Bonfire Night early its not until next week folks !But I can promise a wet night tonight .Mr Dursley sat frozen in his armchair .Shooting stars all over Britain ?Owls flying by daylight ?Mysterious people in cloaks all over the place ?And a whisper a whisper about the Potters .Mrs Dursley came into the living room carrying two cups of tea .It was no good .Hed have to say something to her .He cleared his throat nervously .Er Petunia dear you havent heard from your sister lately have you ?As he had expected Mrs Dursley looked shocked and angry .After all they normally pretended she didnt have a sister .No she said sharply .Why ?Funny stuff on the news Mr Dursley mumbled .Owls .shooting stars .and there were a lot of funnylooking people in town today .So ?snapped Mrs Dursley .Well I just thought .maybe .it was something to do with .you know .her crowd .Mrs Dursley sipped her tea through pursed lips .Mr Dursley wondered whether he dared tell her hed heard the name Potter .He decided he didnt dare .Instead he said as casually as he could Their son hed be about Dudleys age now wouldnt he ?I suppose so said Mrs Dursley stiffly .Whats his name again ?Howard isnt it ?Harry .Nasty common name if you ask me .Oh yes said Mr Dursley his heart sinking horribly .Yes I quite agree .He didnt say another word on the subject as they went upstairs to bed .While Mrs Dursley was in the bathroom Mr Dursley crept to the bedroom window and peered down into the front garden .The cat was still there .It was staring down Privet Drive as though it were waiting for something .Was he imagining things ?Could all this have anything to do with the Potters ?If it did .if it got out that they were related to a pair of well he didnt think he could bear it .The Dursleys got into bed .Mrs Dursley fell asleep quickly but Mr Dursley lay awake turning it all over in his mind .His last comforting thought before he fell asleep was that even if the Potters were involved there was no reason for them to come near him and Mrs Dursley .The Potters knew very well what he and Petunia thought about them and their kind .He couldnt see how he and Petunia could get mixed up in anything that might be going on he yawned and turned over it couldnt affect them .How very wrong he was .Mr Dursley might have been drifting into an uneasy sleep but the cat on the wall outside was showing no sign of sleepiness .It was sitting as still as a statue its eyes fixed unblinkingly on the far corner of Privet Drive .It didnt so much as quiver when a car door slammed on the next street nor when two owls swooped overhead .In fact it was nearly midnight before the cat moved at all .A man appeared on the corner the cat had been watching appeared so suddenly and silently youd have thought hed just popped out of the ground .The cats tail twitched and its eyes narrowed .Nothing like this man had ever been seen on Privet Drive .He was tall thin and very old judging by the silver of his hair and beard which were both long enough to tuck into his belt .He was wearing long robes a purple cloak that swept the ground and highheeled buckled boots .His blue eyes were light bright and sparkling behind halfmoon spectacles and his nose was very long and crooked as though it had been broken at least twice .This mans name was Albus Dumbledore .Albus Dumbledore didnt seem to realize that he had just arrived in a street where everything from his name to his boots was unwelcome .He was busy rummaging in his cloak looking for something .But he did seem to realize he was being watched because he looked up suddenly at the cat which was still staring at him from the other end of the street .For some reason the sight of the cat seemed to amuse him .He chuckled and muttered I should have known .He found what he was looking for in his inside pocket .It seemed to be a silver cigarette lighter .He flicked it open held it up in the air and clicked it .The nearest street lamp went out with a little pop .He clicked it again the next lamp flickered into darkness .Twelve times he clicked the PutOuter until the only lights left on the whole street were two tiny pinpricks in the distance which were the eyes of the cat watching him .If anyone looked out of their window now even beadyeyed Mrs Dursley they wouldnt be able to see anything that was happening down on the pavement .Dumbledore slipped the Put Outer back inside his cloak and set off down the street toward number four where he sat down on the wall next to the cat .He didnt look at it but after a moment he spoke to it .Fancy seeing you here Professor McGonagall .He turned to smile at the tabby but it had gone .Instead he was smiling at a rather severelooking woman who was wearing square glasses exactly the shape of the markings the cat had had around its eyes .She too was wearing a cloak an emerald one .Her black hair was drawn into a tight bun .She looked distinctly ruffled .How did you know it was me ?she asked .My dear Professor Ive never seen a cat sit so stiffly .Youd be stiff if youd been sitting on a brick wall all day said Professor McGonagall .All day ?When you could have been celebrating ?I must have passed a dozen feasts and parties on my way here .Professor McGonagall sniffed angrily .Oh yes everyones celebrating all right she said impatiently .Youd think theyd be a bit more careful but no even the Muggles have noticed somethings going on .It was on their news .She jerked her head back at the Dursleys dark livingroom window .I heard it .Flocks of owls .shooting stars .Well theyre not completely stupid .They were bound to notice something .Shooting stars down in Kent Ill bet that was Dedalus Diggle .He never had much sense .You cant blame them said Dumbledore gently .Weve had precious little to celebrate for eleven years .I know that said Professor McGonagall irritably .But thats no reason to lose our heads .People are being downright careless out on the streets in broad daylight not even dressed in Muggle clothes swapping rumors .She threw a sharp sideways glance at Dumbledore here as though hoping he was going to tell her something but he didnt so she went on .A fine thing it would be if on the very day YouKnowWho seems to have disappeared at last the Muggles found out about us all .I suppose he really has gone Dumbledore ?It certainly seems so said Dumbledore .We have much to be thankful for .Would you care for a lemon drop ?A what ?A lemon drop .Theyre a kind of Muggle sweet Im rather fond of .No thank you said Professor McGonagall coldly as though she didnt think this was the moment for lemon drops .As I say even if YouKnowWho has gone My dear Professor surely a sensible person like yourself can call him by his name ?All this You KnowWho nonsense for eleven years I have been trying to persuade people to call him by his proper name Voldemort .Professor McGonagall flinched but Dumbledore who was unsticking two lemon drops seemed not to notice .It all gets so confusing if we keep saying YouKnowWho .I have never seen any reason to be frightened of saying Voldemorts name .I know you havent said Professor McGonagall sounding half exasperated half admiring .But youre different .Everyone knows youre the only one You Know oh all right Voldemort was frightened of .You flatter me said Dumbledore calmly .Voldemort had powers I will never have .Only because youre too well noble to use them .Its lucky its dark .I havent blushed so much since Madam Pomfrey told me she liked my new earmuffs .Professor McGonagall shot a sharp look at Dumbledore and said The owls are nothing next to the rumors that are flying around .You know what everyones saying ?About why hes disappeared ?About what finally stopped him ?It seemed that Professor McGonagall had reached the point she was most anxious to discuss the real reason she had been waiting on a cold hard wall all day for neither as a cat nor as a woman had she fixed Dumbledore with such a piercing stare as she did now .It was plain that whatever everyone was saying she was not going to believe it until Dumbledore told her it was true .Dumbledore however was choosing another lemon drop and did not answer .What theyre saying she pressed on is that last night Voldemort turned up in Godrics Hollow .He went to find the Potters .The rumor is that Lily and James Potter are are that theyre dead .Dumbledore bowed his head .Professor McGonagall gasped .Lily and James .I cant believe it .I didnt want to believe it .Oh Albus .Dumbledore reached out and patted her on the shoulder .I know .I know .he said heavily .Professor McGonagalls voice trembled as she went on .Thats not all .Theyre saying he tried to kill the Potters son Harry .But he couldnt .He couldnt kill that little boy .No one knows why or how but theyre saying that when he couldnt kill Harry Potter Voldemorts power somehow broke and thats why hes gone .Dumbledore nodded glumly .Its its true ?faltered Professor McGonagall .After all hes done .all the people hes killed .he couldnt kill a little boy ?Its just astounding .of all the things to stop him .but how in the name of heaven did Harry survive ?We can only guess said Dumbledore .We may never know .Professor McGonagall pulled out a lace handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes beneath her spectacles .Dumbledore gave a great sniff as he took a golden watch from his pocket and examined it .It was a very odd watch .It had twelve hands but no numbers instead little planets were moving around the edge .It must have made sense to Dumbledore though because he put it back in his pocket and said Hagrids late .I suppose it was he who told you Id be here by the way ?Yes said Professor McGonagall .And I dont suppose youre going to tell me why youre here of all places ?Ive come to bring Harry to his aunt and uncle .Theyre the only family he has left now .You dont mean you cant mean the people who live here ?cried Professor McGonagall jumping to her feet and pointing at number four .Dumbledore you cant .Ive been watching them all day .You couldnt find two people who are less like us .And theyve got this son I saw him kicking his mother all the way up the street screaming for sweets .Harry Potter come and live here !Its the best place for him said Dumbledore firmly .His aunt and uncle will be able to explain everything to him when hes older .Ive written them a letter .A letter ?repeated Professor McGonagall faintly sitting back down on the wall .Really Dumbledore you think you can explain all this in a letter ?These people will never understand him !Hell be famous a legend I wouldnt be surprised if today was known as Harry Potter Day in the future there will be books written about Harry every child in our world will know his name !Exactly said Dumbledore looking very seriously over the top of his halfmoon glasses .It would be enough to turn any boys head .Famous before he can walk and talk !Famous for something he wont even remember !Cant you see how much better off hell be growing up away from all that until hes ready to take it ?Professor McGonagall opened her mouth changed her mind swallowed and then said Yes yes youre right of course .But how is the boy getting here Dumbledore ?She eyed his cloak suddenly as though she thought he might be hiding Harry underneath it .Hagrids bringing him .You think it wise to trust Hagrid with something as important as this ?I would trust Hagrid with my life said Dumbledore .Im not saying his heart isnt in the right place said Professor McGonagall grudgingly but you cant pretend hes not careless .He does tend to what was that ?A low rumbling sound had broken the silence around them .It grew steadily louder as they looked up and down the street for some sign of a headlight it swelled to a roar as they both looked up at the sky and a huge motorcycle fell out of the air and landed on the road in front of them .If the motorcycle was huge it was nothing to the man sitting astride it .He was almost twice as tall as a normal man and at least five times as wide .He looked simply too big to be allowed and so wild long tangles of bushy black hair and beard hid most of his face he had hands the size of trash can lids and his feet in their leather boots were like baby dolphins .In his vast muscular arms he was holding a bundle of blankets .Hagrid said Dumbledore sounding relieved .At last .And where did you get that motorcycle ?Borrowed it Professor Dumbledore sir said the giant climbing carefully off the motorcycle as he spoke .Young Sirius Black lent it to me .Ive got him sir .No problems were there ?No sir house was almost destroyed but I got him out all right before the Muggles started swarmin around .He fell asleep as we was flyin over Bristol .Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall bent forward over the bundle of blankets .Inside just visible was a baby boy fast asleep .Under a tuft of jetblack hair over his forehead they could see a curiously shaped cut like a bolt of lightning .Is that where ?whispered Professor McGonagall .Yes said Dumbledore .Hell have that scar forever .Couldnt you do something about it Dumbledore ?Even if I could I wouldnt .Scars can come in handy .I have one myself above my left knee that is a perfect map of the London Underground .Well give him here Hagrid wed better get this over with .Dumbledore took Harry in his arms and turned toward the Dursleys house .Could I could I say goodbye to him sir ?asked Hagrid .He bent his great shaggy head over Harry and gave him what must have been a very scratchy whiskery kiss .Then suddenly Hagrid let out a howl like a wounded dog .Shhh !hissed Professor McGonagall youll wake the Muggles !Sssorry sobbed Hagrid taking out a large spotted handkerchief and burying his face in it .But I cc cant stand it Lily an James dead an poor little Harry off ter live with Muggles Yes yes its all very sad but get a grip on yourself Hagrid or well be found Professor McGonagall whispered patting Hagrid gingerly on the arm as Dumbledore stepped over the low garden wall and walked to the front door .He laid Harry gently on the doorstep took a letter out of his cloak tucked it inside Harrys blankets and then came back to the other two .For a full minute the three of them stood and looked at the little bundle Hagrids shoulders shook Professor McGonagall blinked furiously and the twinkling light that usually shone from Dumbledores eyes seemed to have gone out .Well said Dumbledore finally thats that .Weve no business staying here .We may as well go and join the celebrations .Yeah said Hagrid in a very muffled voice Id best get this bike away .G night Professor McGonagall Professor Dumbledore sir .Wiping his streaming eyes on his jacket sleeve Hagrid swung himself onto the motorcycle and kicked the engine into life with a roar it rose into the air and off into the night .I shall see you soon I expect Professor McGonagall said Dumbledore nodding to her .Professor McGonagall blew her nose in reply .Dumbledore turned and walked back down the street .On the corner he stopped and took out the silver Put Outer .He clicked it once and twelve balls of light sped back to their street lamps so that Privet Drive glowed suddenly orange and he could make out a tabby cat slinking around the corner at the other end of the street .He could just see the bundle of blankets on the step of number four .Good luck Harry he murmured .He turned on his heel and with a swish of his cloak he was gone .A breeze ruffled the neat hedges of Privet Drive which lay silent and tidy under the inky sky the very last place you would expect astonishing things to happen .Harry Potter rolled over inside his blankets without waking up .One small hand closed on the letter beside him and he slept on not knowing he was special not knowing he was famous not knowing he would be woken in a few hours time by Mrs Dursleys scream as she opened the front door to put out the milk bottles nor that he would spend the next few weeks being prodded and pinched by his cousin Dudley .He couldnt know that at this very moment people meeting in secret all over the country were holding up their glasses and saying in hushed voices To Harry Potter the boy who lived !THE VANASHIG GLASS Nearly ten years had passed since the Dursleys had woken up to find their nephew on the front step but Privet Drive had hardly changed at all .The sun rose on the same tidy front gardens and lit up the brass number four on the Dursleys front door it crept into their living room which was almost exactly the same as it had been on the night when Mr Dursley had seen that fateful news report about the owls .Only the photographs on the mantelpiece really showed how much time had passed .Ten years ago there had been lots of pictures of what looked like a large pink beach ball wearing differentcolored bonnets but Dudley Dursley was no longer a baby and now the photographs showed a large blond boy riding his first bicycle on a carousel at the fair playing a computer game with his father being hugged and kissed by his mother .The room held no sign at all that another boy lived in the house too .Yet Harry Potter was still there asleep at the moment but not for long .His Aunt Petunia was awake and it was her shrill voice that made the first noise of the day .Up !Get up !Now !Harry woke with a start .His aunt rapped on the door again .Up !she screeched .Harry heard her walking toward the kitchen and then the sound of the frying pan being put on the stove .He rolled onto his back and tried to remember the dream he had been having .It had been a good one .There had been a flying motorcycle in it .He had a funny feeling hed had the same dream before .His aunt was back outside the door .Are you up yet ?she demanded .Nearly said Harry .Well get a move on I want you to look after the bacon .And dont you dare let it burn I want everything perfect on Duddys birthday .Harry groaned .What did you say ?his aunt snapped through the door .Nothing nothing .Dudleys birthday how could he have forgotten ?Harry got slowly out of bed and started looking for socks .He found a pair under his bed and after pulling a spider off one of them put them on .Harry was used to spiders because the cupboard under the stairs was full of them and that was where he slept .When he was dressed he went down the hall into the kitchen .The table was almost hidden beneath all Dudleys birthday presents .It looked as though Dudley had gotten the new computer he wanted not to mention the second television and the racing bike .Exactly why Dudley wanted a racing bike was a mystery to Harry as Dudley was very fat and hated exercise unless of course it involved punching somebody .Dudleys favorite punching bag was Harry but he couldnt often catch him .Harry didnt look it but he was very fast .Perhaps it had something to do with living in a dark cupboard but Harry had always been small and skinny for his age .He looked even smaller and skinnier than he really was because all he had to wear were old clothes of Dudleys and Dudley was about four times bigger than he was .Harry had a thin face knobbly knees black hair and bright green eyes .He wore round glasses held together with a lot of Scotch tape because of all the times Dudley had punched him on the nose .The only thing Harry liked about his own appearance was a very thin scar on his forehead that was shaped like a bolt of lightning .He had had it as long as he could remember and the first question he could ever remember asking his Aunt Petunia was how he had gotten it .In the car crash when your parents died she had said .And dont ask questions .Dont ask questions that was the first rule for a quiet life with the Dursleys .Uncle Vernon entered the kitchen as Harry was turning over the bacon .Comb your hair !he barked by way of a morning greeting .About once a week Uncle Vernon looked over the top of his newspaper and shouted that Harry needed a haircut .Harry must have had more haircuts than the rest of the boys in his class put together but it made no difference his hair simply grew that way all over the place .Harry was frying eggs by the time Dudley arrived in the kitchen with his mother .Dudley looked a lot like Uncle Vernon .He had a large pink face not much neck small watery blue eyes and thick blond hair that lay smoothly on his thick fat head .Aunt Petunia often said that Dudley looked like a baby angel Harry often said that Dudley looked like a pig in a wig .Harry put the plates of egg and bacon on the table which was difficult as there wasnt much room .Dudley meanwhile was counting his presents .His face fell .Thirtysix he said looking up at his mother and father .Thats two less than last year .Darling you havent counted Auntie Marges present see its here under this big one from Mommy and Daddy .All right thirtyseven then said Dudley going red in the face .Harry who could see a huge Dudley tantrum coming on began wolfing down his bacon as fast as possible in case Dudley turned the table over .Aunt Petunia obviously scented danger too because she said quickly And well buy you another two presents while were out today .Hows that popkin ?Two more presents .Is that all right ?Dudley thought for a moment .It looked like hard work .Finally he said slowly So Ill have thirty .thirty .Thirtynine sweetums said Aunt Petunia .Oh .Dudley sat down heavily and grabbed the nearest parcel .All right then .Uncle Vernon chuckled .Little tyke wants his moneys worth just like his father .Atta boy Dudley !He ruffled Dudleys hair .At that moment the telephone rang and Aunt Petunia went to answer it while Harry and Uncle Vernon watched Dudley unwrap the racing bike a video camera a remote control airplane sixteen new computer games and a VCR .He was ripping the paper off a gold wristwatch when Aunt Petunia came back from the telephone looking both angry and worried .Bad news Vernon she said .Mrs Figgs broken her leg .She cant take him .She jerked her head in Harrys direction .Dudleys mouth fell open in horror but Harrys heart gave a leap .Every year on Dudleys birthday his parents took him and a friend out for the day to adventure parks hamburger restaurants or the movies .Every year Harry was left behind with Mrs Figg a mad old lady who lived two streets away .Harry hated it there .The whole house smelled of cabbage and Mrs Figg made him look at photographs of all the cats shed ever owned .Now what ?said Aunt Petunia looking furiously at Harry as though hed planned this .Harry knew he ought to feel sorry that Mrs Figg had broken her leg but it wasnt easy when he reminded himself it would be a whole year before he had to look at Tibbies Snowy Mr Paws and Tufty again .We could phone Marge Uncle Vernon suggested .Dont be silly Vernon she hates the boy .The Dursleys often spoke about Harry like this as though he wasnt there or rather as though he was something very nasty that couldnt understand them like a slug .What about whatshername your friend Yvonne ?On vacation in Majorca snapped Aunt Petunia .You could just leave me here Harry put in hopefully hed be able to watch what he wanted on television for a change and maybe even have a go on Dudleys computer .Aunt Petunia looked as though shed just swallowed a lemon .And come back and find the house in ruins ?she snarled .I wont blow up the house said Harry but they werent listening .I suppose we could take him to the zoo said Aunt Petunia slowly .and leave him in the car .That cars new hes not sitting in it alone .Dudley began to cry loudly .In fact he wasnt really crying it had been years since hed really cried but he knew that if he screwed up his face and wailed his mother would give him anything he wanted .Dinky Duddydums dont cry Mummy wont let him spoil your special day !she cried flinging her arms around him .I .dont .want .him .ttto come !Dudley yelled between huge pretend sobs .He always sp spoils everything !He shot Harry a nasty grin through the gap in his mothers arms .Just then the doorbell rang Oh good Lord theyre here !said Aunt Petunia frantically and a moment later Dudleys best friend Piers Polkiss walked in with his mother .Piers was a scrawny boy with a face like a rat .He was usually the one who held peoples arms behind their backs while Dudley hit them .Dudley stopped pretending to cry at once .Half an hour later Harry who couldnt believe his luck was sitting in the back of the Dursleys car with Piers and Dudley on the way to the zoo for the first time in his life .His aunt and uncle hadnt been able to think of anything else to do with him but before theyd left Uncle Vernon had taken Harry aside .Im warning you he had said putting his large purple face right up close to Harrys Im warning you now boy any funny business anything at all and youll be in that cupboard from now until Christmas .Im not going to do anything said Harry honestly But Uncle Vernon didnt believe him .No one ever did .The problem was strange things often happened around Harry and it was just no good telling the Dursleys he didnt make them happen .Once Aunt Petunia tired of Harry coming back from the barbers looking as though he hadnt been at all had taken a pair of kitchen scissors and cut his hair so short he was almost bald except for his bangs which she left to hide that horrible scar .Dudley had laughed himself silly at Harry who spent a sleepless night imagining school the next day where he was already laughed at for his baggy clothes and taped glasses .Next morning however he had gotten up to find his hair exactly as it had been before Aunt Petunia had sheared it off .He had been given a week in his cupboard for this even though he had tried to explain that he couldnt explain how it had grown back so quickly .Another time Aunt Petunia had been trying to force him into a revolting old sweater of Dudleys brown with orange puff balls .The harder she tried to pull it over his head the smaller it seemed to become until finally it might have fitted a hand puppet but certainly wouldnt fit Harry .Aunt Petunia had decided it must have shrunk in the wash and to his great relief Harry wasnt punished .On the other hand hed gotten into terrible trouble for being found on the roof of the school kitchens .Dudleys gang had been chasing him as usual when as much to Harrys surprise as anyone elses there he was sitting on the chimney .The Dursleys had received a very angry letter from Harrys headmistress telling them Harry had been climbing school buildings .But all hed tried to do as he shouted at Uncle Vernon through the locked door of his cupboard was jump behind the big trash cans outside the kitchen doors .Harry supposed that the wind must have caught him in midjump .But today nothing was going to go wrong .It was even worth being with Dudley and Piers to be spending the day somewhere that wasnt school his cupboard or Mrs Figgs cabbagesmelling living room .While he drove Uncle Vernon complained to Aunt Petunia .He liked to complain about things people at work Harry the council Harry the bank and Harry were just a few of his favorite subjects .This morning it was motorcycles . .roaring along like maniacs the young hoodlums he said as a motorcycle overtook them .I had a dream about a motorcycle said Harry remembering suddenly .It was flying .Uncle Vernon nearly crashed into the car in front .He turned right around in his seat and yelled at Harry his face like a gigantic beet with a mustache MOTORCYCLES DONT FLY !Dudley and Piers sniggered .I know they dont said Harry .It was only a dream .But he wished he hadnt said anything .If there was one thing the Dursleys hated even more than his asking questions it was his talking about anything acting in a way it shouldnt no matter if it was in a dream or even a cartoon they seemed to think he might get dangerous ideas .It was a very sunny Saturday and the zoo was crowded with families .The Dursleys bought Dudley and Piers large chocolate ice creams at the entrance and then because the smiling lady in the van had asked Harry what he wanted before they could hurry him away they bought him a cheap lemon ice pop .It wasnt bad either Harry thought licking it as they watched a gorilla scratching its head who looked remarkably like Dudley except that it wasnt blond .Harry had the best morning hed had in a long time .He was careful to walk a little way apart from the Dursleys so that Dudley and Piers who were starting to get bored with the animals by lunchtime wouldnt fall back on their favorite hobby of hitting him .They ate in the zoo restaurant and when Dudley had a tantrum because his knickerbocker glory didnt have enough ice cream on top Uncle Vernon bought him another one and Harry was allowed to finish the first .Harry felt afterward that he should have known it was all too good to last .After lunch they went to the reptile house .It was cool and dark in there with lit windows all along the walls .Behind the glass all sorts of lizards and snakes were crawling and slithering over bits of wood and stone .Dudley and Piers wanted to see huge poisonous cobras and thick mancrushing pythons .Dudley quickly found the largest snake in the place .It could have wrapped its body twice around Uncle Vernons car and crushed it into a trash can but at the moment it didnt look in the mood .In fact it was fast asleep .Dudley stood with his nose pressed against the glass staring at the glistening brown coils .Make it move he whined at his father .Uncle Vernon tapped on the glass but the snake didnt budge .Do it again Dudley ordered .Uncle Vernon rapped the glass smartly with his knuckles but the snake just snoozed on .This is boring Dudley moaned .He shuffled away .Harry moved in front of the tank and looked intently at the snake .He wouldnt have been surprised if it had died of boredom itself no company except stupid people drumming their fingers on the glass trying to disturb it all day long .It was worse than having a cupboard as a bedroom where the only visitor was Aunt Petunia hammering on the door to wake you up at least he got to visit the rest of the house .The snake suddenly opened its beady eyes .Slowly very slowly it raised its head until its eyes were on a level with Harrys .It winked .Harry stared .Then he looked quickly around to see if anyone was watching .They werent .He looked back at the snake and winked too .The snake jerked its head toward Uncle Vernon and Dudley then raised its eyes to the ceiling .It gave Harry a look that said quite plainly I get that all the time .I know Harry murmured through the glass though he wasnt sure the snake could hear him .It must be really annoying .The snake nodded vigorously .Where do you come from anyway ?Harry asked .The snake jabbed its tail at a little sign next to the glass .Harry peered at it .Boa Constrictor Brazil .Was it nice there ?The boa constrictor jabbed its tail at the sign again and Harry read on This specimen was bred in the zoo .Oh I see so youve never been to Brazil ?As the snake shook its head a deafening shout behind Harry made both of them jump .DUDLEY !MR Dursley !COME AND LOOK AT THIS SNAKE !YOU WONT BELIEVE WHAT ITS DOING !Dudley came waddling toward them as fast as he could .Out of the way you he said punching Harry in the ribs .Caught by surprise Harry fell hard on the concrete floor .What came next happened so fast no one saw how it happened one second Piers and Dudley were leaning right up close to the glass the next they had leapt back with howls of horror .Harry sat up and gasped the glass front of the boa constrictors tank had vanished .The great snake was uncoiling itself rapidly slithering out onto the floor .People throughout the reptile house screamed and started running for the exits .As the snake slid swiftly past him Harry could have sworn a low hissing voice said Brazil here I come . .Thanksss amigo .The keeper of the reptile house was in shock .But the glass he kept saying where did the glass go ?The zoo director himself made Aunt Petunia a cup of strong sweet tea while he apologized over and over again .Piers and Dudley could only gibber .As far as Harry had seen the snake hadnt done anything except snap playfully at their heels as it passed but by the time they were all back in Uncle Vernons car Dudley was telling them how it had nearly bitten off his leg while Piers was swearing it had tried to squeeze him to death .But worst of all for Harry at least was Piers calming down enough to say Harry was talking to it werent you Harry ?Uncle Vernon waited until Piers was safely out of the house before starting on Harry .He was so angry he could hardly speak .He managed to say Go cupboard stay no meals before he collapsed into a chair and Aunt Petunia had to run and get him a large brandy .Harry lay in his dark cupboard much later wishing he had a watch .He didnt know what time it was and he couldnt be sure the Dursleys were asleep yet .Until they were he couldnt risk sneaking to the kitchen for some food .Hed lived with the Dursleys almost ten years ten miserable years as long as he could remember ever since hed been a baby and his parents had died in that car crash .He couldnt remember being in the car when his parents had died .Sometimes when he strained his memory during long hours in his cupboard he came up with a strange vision a blinding flash of green light and a burning pain on his forehead .This he supposed was the crash though he couldnt imagine where all the green light came from .He couldnt remember his parents at all .His aunt and uncle never spoke about them and of course he was forbidden to ask questions .There were no photographs of them in the house .When he had been younger Harry had dreamed and dreamed of some unknown relation coming to take him away but it had never happened the Dursleys were his only family .Yet sometimes he thought or maybe hoped that strangers in the street seemed to know him .Very strange strangers they were too .A tiny man in a violet top hat had bowed to him once while out shopping with Aunt Petunia and Dudley .After asking Harry furiously if he knew the man Aunt Petunia had rushed them out of the shop without buying anything .A wildlooking old woman dressed all in green had waved merrily at him once on a bus .A bald man in a very long purple coat had actually shaken his hand in the street the other day and then walked away without a word .The weirdest thing about all these people was the way they seemed to vanish the second Harry tried to get a closer look .At school Harry had no one .Everybody knew that Dudleys gang hated that odd Harry Potter in his baggy old clothes and broken glasses and nobody liked to disagree with Dudleys gang .3 THE LETTERS FROM NO ONE The escape of the Brazilian boa constrictor earned Harry his longestever punishment .By the time he was allowed out of his cupboard again the summer holidays had started and Dudley had already broken his new video camera crashed his remote control airplane and first time out on his racing bike knocked down old Mrs Figg as she crossed Privet Drive on her crutches .Harry was glad school was over but there was no escaping Dudleys gang who visited the house every single day .Piers Dennis Malcolm and Gordon were all big and stupid but as Dudley was the biggest and stupidest of the lot he was the leader .The rest of them were all quite happy to join in Dudleys favorite sport Harry Hunting .This was why Harry spent as much time as possible out of the house wandering around and thinking about the end of the holidays where he could see a tiny ray of hope .When September came he would be going off to secondary school and for the first time in his life he wouldnt be with Dudley .Dudley had been accepted at Uncle Vernons old private school Smeltings .Piers Polkiss was going there too .Harry on the other hand was going to Stonewall High the local public school .Dudley thought this was very funny .They stuff peoples heads down the toilet the first day at Stonewall he told Harry .Want to come upstairs and practice ?No thanks said Harry .The poor toilets never had anything as horrible as your head down it it might be sick .Then he ran before Dudley could work out what hed said .One day in July Aunt Petunia took Dudley to London to buy his Smeltings uniform leaving Harry at Mrs Figgs .Mrs Figg wasnt as bad as usual .It turned out shed broken her leg tripping over one of her cats and she didnt seem quite as fond of them as before .She let Harry watch television and gave him a bit of chocolate cake that tasted as though shed had it for several years .That evening Dudley paraded around the living room for the family in his brandnew uniform .Smeltings boys wore maroon tailcoats orange knickerbockers and flat straw hats called boaters .They also carried knobbly sticks used for hitting each other while the teachers werent looking .This was supposed to be good training for later life .As he looked at Dudley in his new knickerbockers Uncle Vernon said gruffly that it was the proudest moment of his life .Aunt Petunia burst into tears and said she couldnt believe it was her Ickle Dudleykins he looked so handsome and grownup .Harry didnt trust himself to speak .He thought two of his ribs might already have cracked from trying not to laugh .k k k There was a horrible smell in the kitchen the next morning when Harry went in for breakfast .It seemed to be coming from a large metal tub in the sink .He went to have a look .The tub was full of what looked like dirty rags swimming in gray water .Whats this ?he asked Aunt Petunia .Her lips tightened as they always did if he dared to ask a question .Your new school uniform she said .Harry looked in the bowl again .Oh he said I didnt realize it had to be so wet .Dont be stupid snapped Aunt Petunia .Im dyeing some of Dudleys old things gray for you .Itll look just like everyone elses when Ive finished .Harry seriously doubted this but thought it best not to argue .He sat down at the table and tried not to think about how he was going to look on his first day at Stonewall High like he was wearing bits of old elephant skin probably .Dudley and Uncle Vernon came in both with wrinkled noses because of the smell from Harrys new uniform .Uncle Vernon opened his newspaper as usual and Dudley banged his Smelting stick which he carried everywhere on the table .They heard the click of the mail slot and flop of letters on the doormat .Get the mail Dudley said Uncle Vernon from behind his paper .Make Harry get it .Get the mail Harry .Make Dudley get it .Poke him with your Smelting stick Dudley .Harry dodged the Smelting stick and went to get the mail .Three things lay on the doormat a postcard from Uncle Vernons sister Marge who was vacationing on the Isle of Wight a brown envelope that looked like a bill and a letter for Harry .Harry picked it up and stared at it his heart twanging like a giant elastic band .No one ever in his whole life had written to him .Who would ?He had no friends no other relatives he didnt belong to the library so hed never even got rude notes asking for books back .Yet here it was a letter addressed so plainly there could be no mistake Mr H .Potter The Cupboard under the Stairs 4 Privet Drive Little Whinging Surrey The envelope was thick and heavy made of yellowish parchment and the address was written in emerald green ink .There was no stamp .Turning the envelope over his hand trembling Harry saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms a lion an eagle a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter H .Hurry up boy !shouted Uncle Vernon from the kitchen .What are you doing checking for letter bombs ?He chuckled at his own joke .Harry went back to the kitchen still staring at his letter .He handed Uncle Vernon the bill and the postcard sat down and slowly began to open the yellow envelope .Uncle Vernon ripped open the bill snorted in disgust and flipped over the postcard .Marges ill he informed Aunt Petunia .Ate a funny whelk .Dad !said Dudley suddenly .Dad Harrys got something !Harry was on the point of unfolding his letter which was written on the same heavy parchment as the envelope when it was jerked sharply out of his hand by Uncle Vernon .Thats mine said Harry trying to snatch it back .Whod be writing to you ?sneered Uncle Vernon shaking the letter open with one hand and glancing at it .His face went from red to green faster than a set of traffic lights .And it didnt stop there .Within seconds it was the grayish white of old porridge .PPPetunia !he gasped .Dudley tried to grab the letter to read it but Uncle Vernon held it high out of his reach .Aunt Petunia took it curiously and read the first line .For a moment it looked as though she might faint .She clutched her throat and made a choking noise .Vernon !Oh my goodness Vernon !They stared at each other seeming to have forgotten that Harry and Dudley were still in the room .Dudley wasnt used to being ignored .He gave his father a sharp tap on the head with his Smelting stick .I want to read that letter he said loudly .I want to read it said Harry furiously as its mine .Get out both of you croaked Uncle Vernon stuffing the letter back inside its envelope .Harry didnt move .I WANT MY LETTER !he shouted .Let me see it !demanded Dudley .OUT !roared Uncle Vernon and he took both Harry and Dudley by the scruffs of their necks and threw them into the hall slamming the kitchen door behind them .Harry and Dudley promptly had a furious but silent fight over who would listen at the keyhole Dudley won so Harry his glasses dangling from one ear lay flat on his stomach to listen at the crack between door and floor .Vernon Aunt Petunia was saying in a quivering voice look at the address how could they possibly know where he sleeps ?You dont think theyre watching the house ?Watching spying might be following us muttered Uncle Vernon wildly .But what should we do Vernon ?Should we write back ?Tell them we dont want Harry could see Uncle Vernons shiny black shoes pacing up and down the kitchen .No he said finally .No well ignore it .If they dont get an answer .Yes thats best .we wont do anything .But Im not having one in the house Petunia !Didnt we swear when we took him in wed stamp out that dangerous nonsense ?That evening when he got back from work Uncle Vernon did something hed never done before he visited Harry in his cupboard .Wheres my letter ?said Harry the moment Uncle Vernon had squeezed through the door .Whos writing to me ?No one .It was addressed to you by mistake said Uncle Vernon shortly .I have burned it .It was not a mistake said Harry angrily it had my cupboard on it .SILENCE !yelled Uncle Vernon and a couple of spiders fell from the ceiling .He took a few deep breaths and then forced his face into a smile which looked quite painful .Er yes Harry about this cupboard .Your aunt and I have been thinking .youre really getting a bit big for it .we think it might be nice if you moved into Dudleys second bedroom .Why ?said Harry .Dont ask questions !snapped his uncle .Take this stuff upstairs now .The Dursleys house had four bedrooms one for Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia one for visitors usually Uncle Vernons sister Marge one where Dudley slept and one where Dudley kept all the toys and things that wouldnt fit into his first bedroom .It only took Harry one trip upstairs to move everything he owned from the cupboard to this room .He sat down on the bed and stared around him .Nearly everything in here was broken .The monthold video camera was lying on top of a small working tank Dudley had once driven over the next door neighbors dog in the corner was Dudleys firstever television set which hed put his foot through when his favorite program had been canceled there was a large birdcage which had once held a parrot that Dudley had swapped at school for a real air rifle which was up on a shelf with the end all bent because Dudley had sat on it .Other shelves were full of books .They were the only things in the room that looked as though theyd never been touched .From downstairs came the sound of Dudley bawling at his mother I dont want him in there .I need that room .make him get out .Harry sighed and stretched out on the bed .Yesterday hed have given anything to be up here .Today hed rather be back in his cupboard with that letter than up here without it .Next morning at breakfast everyone was rather quiet .Dudley was in shock .Hed screamed whacked his father with his Smelting stick been sick on purpose kicked his mother and thrown his tortoise through the greenhouse roof and he still didnt have his room back .Harry was thinking about this time yesterday and bitterly wishing hed opened the letter in the hall .Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia kept looking at each other darkly .When the mail arrived Uncle Vernon who seemed to be trying to be nice to Harry made Dudley go and get it .They heard him banging things with his Smelting stick all the way down the hall .Then he shouted Theres another one ! ‘Mr H .Potter The Smallest Bedroom 4 Privet Drive With a strangled cry Uncle Vernon leapt from his seat and ran down the hall Harry right behind him .Uncle Vernon had to wrestle Dudley to the ground to get the letter from him which was made difficult by the fact that Harry had grabbed Uncle Vernon around the neck from behind .After a minute of confused fighting in which everyone got hit a lot by the Smelting stick Uncle Vernon straightened up gasping for breath with Harrys letter clutched in his hand .Go to your cupboard I mean your bedroom he wheezed at Harry .Dudley go just go .Harry walked round and round his new room .Someone knew he had moved out of his cupboard and they seemed to know he hadnt received his first letter .Surely that meant theyd try again ?And this time hed make sure they didnt fail .He had a plan .The repaired alarm clock rang at six oclock the next morning .Harry turned it off quickly and dressed silently .He mustnt wake the Dursleys .He stole downstairs without turning on any of the lights .He was going to wait for the postman on the corner of Privet Drive and get the letters for number four first .His heart hammered as he crept across the dark hall toward the front door aaRRRGH !Harry leapt into the air hed trodden on something big and squashy on the doormat something alive Lights clicked on upstairs and to his horror Harry realized that the big squashy something had been his uncles face .Uncle Vernon had been lying at the foot of the front door in a sleeping bag clearly making sure that Harry didnt do exactly what hed been trying to do .He shouted at Harry for about half an hour and then told him to go and make a cup of tea .Harry shuffled miserably off into the kitchen and by the time he got back the mail had arrived right into Uncle Vernons lap .Harry could see three letters addressed in green ink .I want he began but Uncle Vernon was tearing the letters into pieces before his eyes .Uncle Vernon didnt go to work that day .He stayed at home and nailed up the mail slot .See he explained to Aunt Petunia through a mouthful of nails if they cant deliver them theyll just give up .Im not sure thatll work Vernon .Oh these peoples minds work in strange ways Petunia theyre not like you and me said Uncle Vernon trying to knock in a nail with the piece of fruitcake Aunt Petunia had just brought him .On Friday no less than twelve letters arrived for Harry .As they couldnt go through the mail slot they had been pushed under the door slotted through the sides and a few even forced through the small window in the downstairs bathroom .Uncle Vernon stayed at home again .After burning all the letters he got out a hammer and nails and boarded up the cracks around the front and back doors so no one could go out .He hummed Tiptoe Through the Tulips as he worked and jumped at small noises .On Saturday things began to get out of hand .Twentyfour letters to Harry found their way into the house rolled up and hidden inside each of the two dozen eggs that their very confused milkman had handed Aunt Petunia through the living room window .While Uncle Vernon made furious telephone calls to the post office and the dairy trying to find someone to complain to Aunt Petunia shredded the letters in her food processor .Who on earth wants to talk to you this badly ?Dudley asked Harry in amazement . •k k k On Sunday morning Uncle Vernon sat down at the breakfast table looking tired and rather ill but happy .No post on Sundays he reminded them cheerfully as he spread marmalade on his newspapers no damn letters today Something came whizzing down the kitchen chimney as he spoke and caught him sharply on the back of the head .Next moment thirty or forty letters came pelting out of the fireplace like bullets .The Dursleys ducked but Harry leapt into the air trying to catch one Out !OUT !Uncle Vernon seized Harry around the waist and threw him into the hall .When Aunt Petunia and Dudley had run out with their arms over their faces Uncle Vernon slammed the door shut .They could hear the letters still streaming into the room bouncing off the walls and floor .That does it said Uncle Vernon trying to speak calmly but pulling great tufts out of his mustache at the same time .I want you all back here in five minutes ready to leave .Were going away .Just pack some clothes .No arguments !He looked so dangerous with half his mustache missing that no one dared argue .Ten minutes later they had wrenched their way through the boardedup doors and were in the car speeding toward the highway .Dudley was sniffling in the back seat his father had hit him round the head for holding them up while he tried to pack his television VCR and computer in his sports bag .They drove .And they drove .Even Aunt Petunia didnt dare ask where they were going .Every now and then Uncle Vernon would take a sharp turn and drive in the opposite direction for a while .Shake em off .shake em off he would mutter whenever he did this .They didnt stop to eat or drink all day .By nightfall Dudley was howling .Hed never had such a bad day in his life .He was hungry hed missed five television programs hed wanted to see and hed never gone so long without blowing up an alien on his computer .Uncle Vernon stopped at last outside a gloomy looking hotel on the outskirts of a big city .Dudley and Harry shared a room with twin beds and damp musty sheets .Dudley snored but Harry stayed awake sitting on the windowsill staring down at the lights of passing cars and wondering .They ate stale cornflakes and cold tinned tomatoes on toast for breakfast the next day .They had just finished when the owner of the hotel came over to their table .Scuse me but is one of you Mr H .Potter ?Only I got about an undred of these at the front desk .She held up a letter so they could read the green ink address Mr H .Potter Room 1 7 Railview Hotel Cokeworth Harry made a grab for the letter but Uncle Vernon knocked his hand out of the way .The woman stared .Ill take them said Uncle Vernon standing up quickly and following her from the dining room . •k k k Wouldnt it be better just to go home dear ?Aunt Petunia suggested timidly hours later but Uncle Vernon didnt seem to hear her .Exactly what he was looking for none of them knew .He drove them into the middle of a forest got out looked around shook his head got back in the car and off they went again .The same thing happened in the middle of a plowed field halfway across a suspension bridge and at the top of a multilevel parking garage .Daddys gone mad hasnt he ?Dudley asked Aunt Petunia dully late that afternoon .Uncle Vernon had parked at the coast locked them all inside the car and disappeared .It started to rain .Great drops beat on the roof of the car .Dudley sniveled .Its Monday he told his mother .The Great Humbertos on tonight .I want to stay somewhere with a television .Monday .This reminded Harry of something .If it was Monday and you could usually count on Dudley to know the days of the week because of television then tomorrow Tuesday was Harrys eleventh birthday .Of course his birthdays were never exactly fun last year the Dursleys had given him a coat hanger and a pair of Uncle Vernons old socks .Still you werent eleven every day .Uncle Vernon was back and he was smiling .He was also carrying a long thin package and didnt answer Aunt Petunia when she asked what hed bought .Found the perfect place !he said .Come on !Everyone out !It was very cold outside the car .Uncle Vernon was pointing at what looked like a large rock way out at sea .Perched on top of the rock was the most miserable little shack you could imagine .One thing was certain there was no television in there .Storm forecast for tonight !said Uncle Vernon gleefully clapping his hands together .And this gentlemans kindly agreed to lend us his boat !A toothless old man came ambling up to them pointing with a rather wicked grin at an old rowboat bobbing in the irongray water below them .Ive already got us some rations said Uncle Vernon so all aboard !It was freezing in the boat .Icy sea spray and rain crept down their necks and a chilly wind whipped their faces .After what seemed like hours they reached the rock where Uncle Vernon slipping and sliding led the way to the brokendown house .The inside was horrible it smelled strongly of seaweed the wind whistled through the gaps in the wooden walls and the fireplace was damp and empty .There were only two rooms .Uncle Vernons rations turned out to be a bag of chips each and four bananas .He tried to start a fire but the empty chip bags just smoked and shriveled up .Could do with some of those letters now eh ?he said cheerfully .He was in a very good mood .Obviously he thought nobody stood a chance of reaching them here in a storm to deliver mail .Harry privately agreed though the thought didnt cheer him up at all .As night fell the promised storm blew up around them .Spray from the high waves splattered the walls of the hut and a fierce wind rattled the filthy windows .Aunt Petunia found a few moldy blankets in the second room and made up a bed for Dudley on the motheaten sofa .She and Uncle Vernon went off to the lumpy bed next door and Harry was left to find the softest bit of floor he could and to curl up under the thinnest most ragged blanket .The storm raged more and more ferociously as the night went on .Harry couldnt sleep .He shivered and turned over trying to get comfortable his stomach rumbling with hunger .Dudleys snores were drowned by the low rolls of thunder that started near midnight .The lighted dial of Dudleys watch which was dangling over the edge of the sofa on his fat wrist told Harry hed be eleven in ten minutes time .He lay and watched his birthday tick nearer wondering if the Dursleys would remember at all wondering where the letter writer was now .Five minutes to go .Harry heard something creak outside .He hoped the roof wasnt going to fall in although he might be warmer if it did .Four minutes to go .Maybe the house in Privet Drive would be so full of letters when they got back that hed be able to steal one somehow .Three minutes to go .Was that the sea slapping hard on the rock like that ?And two minutes to go what was that funny crunching noise ?Was the rock crumbling into the sea ?One minute to go and hed be eleven .Thirty seconds .twenty .ten .nine maybe hed wake Dudley up just to annoy him three .two .one .BOOM .The whole shack shivered and Harry sat bolt upright staring at the door .Someone was outside knocking to come in .THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS BOOM .They knocked again .Dudley jerked awake .Wheres the cannon ?he said stupidly .There was a crash behind them and Uncle Vernon came skidding into the room .He was holding a rifle in his hands now they knew what had been in the long thin package he had brought with them .Whos there ?he shouted .I warn you Im armed !There was a pause .Then SMASH !The door was hit with such force that it swung clean off its hinges and with a deafening crash landed flat on the floor .A giant of a man was standing in the doorway .His face was almost completely hidden by a long shaggy mane of hair and a wild tangled beard but you could make out his eyes glinting like black beetles under all the hair .The giant squeezed his way into the hut stooping so that his head just brushed the ceiling .He bent down picked up the door and fitted it easily back into its frame .The noise of the storm outside dropped a little .He turned to look at them all .Couldnt make us a cup o tea could yeh ?Its not been an easy journey .He strode over to the sofa where Dudley sat frozen with fear .Budge up yeh great lump said the stranger .Dudley squeaked and ran to hide behind his mother who was crouching terrified behind Uncle Vernon .An heres Harry !said the giant .Harry looked up into the fierce wild shadowy face and saw that the beetle eyes were crinkled in a smile .Las time I saw you you was only a baby said the giant .Yeh look a lot like yer dad but yehve got yer moms eyes .Uncle Vernon made a funny rasping noise .I demand that you leave at once sir !he said .You are breaking and entering !Ah shut up Dursley yeh great prune said the giant he reached over the back of the sofa jerked the gun out of Uncle Vernons hands bent it into a knot as easily as if it had been made of rubber and threw it into a corner of the room .Uncle Vernon made another funny noise like a mouse being trodden on .Anyway Harry said the giant turning his back on the Dursleys a very happy birthday to yeh .Got summat fer yeh here I mighta sat on it at some point but itll taste all right .From an inside pocket of his black overcoat he pulled a slightly squashed box .Harry opened it with trembling fingers .Inside was a large sticky chocolate cake with Happy Birthday Harry written on it in green icing .Harry looked up at the giant .He meant to say thank you but the words got lost on the way to his mouth and what he said instead was Who are you ?The giant chuckled .True I havent introduced meself .Rubeus Hagrid Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts .He held out an enormous hand and shook Harrys whole arm .What about that tea then eh ?he said rubbing his hands together .Id not say no ter summat stronger if yehve got it mind .His eyes fell on the empty grate with the shriveled chip bags in it and he snorted .He bent down over the fireplace they couldnt see what he was doing but when he drew back a second later there was a roaring fire there .It filled the whole damp hut with flickering light and Harry felt the warmth wash over him as though hed sunk into a hot bath .The giant sat back down on the sofa which sagged under his weight and began taking all sorts of things out of the pockets of his coat a copper kettle a squashy package of sausages a poker a teapot several chipped mugs and a bottle of some amber liquid that he took a swig from before starting to make tea .Soon the hut was full of the sound and smell of sizzling sausage .Nobody said a thing while the giant was working but as he slid the first six fat juicy slightly burnt sausages from the poker Dudley fidgeted a little .Uncle Vernon said sharply Dont touch anything he gives you Dudley .The giant chuckled darkly .Yer great puddin of a son don need fattenin anymore Dursley don worry .He passed the sausages to Harry who was so hungry he had never tasted anything so wonderful but he still couldnt take his eyes off the giant .Finally as nobody seemed about to explain anything he said Im sorry but I still dont really know who you are .The giant took a gulp of tea and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand .Call me Hagrid he said everyone does .An like I told yeh Im Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts yehll know all about Hogwarts o course .Er no said Harry .Hagrid looked shocked .Sorry Harry said quickly .Sorry ?barked Hagrid turning to stare at the Dursleys who shrank back into the shadows .Its them as should be sorry !I knew yeh werent gettin yer letters but I never thought yeh wouldnt even know abou Hogwarts fer cryin out loud !Did yeh never wonder where yer parents learned it all ?All what ?asked Harry .ALL WHAT ?Hagrid thundered .Now wait jus one second !He had leapt to his feet .In his anger he seemed to fill the whole hut .The Dursleys were cowering against the wall .Do you mean ter tell me he growled at the Dursleys that this boy this boy !knows nothin abou about ANYTHING ?Harry thought this was going a bit far .He had been to school after all and his marks werent bad .I know some things he said .I can you know do math and stuff .But Hagrid simply waved his hand and said About our world I mean .Your world .My world .Yer parents world .What world ?Hagrid looked as if he was about to explode .DURSLEY !he boomed .Uncle Vernon who had gone very pale whispered something that sounded like Mimblewimble .Hagrid stared wildly at Harry .But yeh must know about yer mom and dad he said .I mean theyre famous .Youre famous .What ?My my mom and dad werent famous were they ?Yeh don know .yeh don know .Hagrid ran his fingers through his hair fixing Harry with a bewildered stare .Yeh don know what yeh are ?he said finally .Uncle Vernon suddenly found his voice .Stop !he commanded .Stop right there sir !I forbid you to tell the boy anything !A braver man than Vernon Dursley would have quailed under the furious look Hagrid now gave him when Hagrid spoke his every syllable trembled with rage .You never told him ?Never told him what was in the letter Dumbledore left fer him ?I was there !I saw Dumbledore leave it Dursley !An youve kept it from him all these years ?Kept what from me ?said Harry eagerly .STOP !I FORBID YOU !yelled Uncle Vernon in panic .Aunt Petunia gave a gasp of horror .Ah go boil yer heads both of yeh said Hagrid .Harry yer a wizard .There was silence inside the hut .Only the sea and the whistling wind could be heard .Im a what ?gasped Harry .A wizard o course said Hagrid sitting back down on the sofa which groaned and sank even lower an a thumpin goodun Id say once yehve been trained up a bit .With a mum an dad like yours what else would yeh be ?An I reckon its abou time yeh read yer letter .Harry stretched out his hand at last to take the yellowish envelope addressed in emerald green to Mr H .Potter The Floor HutontheRock The Sea .He pulled out the letter and read HOGWARTS SCHOOL oWITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY Headmaster ALBUS DUMBLEDORE Order of Merlin First Class Grand Sore .Chf .Warlock Supreme Mugwump International Confed .of Wizards Dear Mr Potter We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry .Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment .Term begins on September 1 .We await your owl by no later than July 31 .Yours sincerely Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress Questions exploded inside Harrys head like fireworks and he couldnt decide which to ask first .After a few minutes he stammered What does it mean they await my owl ?Gallopin Gorgons that reminds me said Hagrid clapping a hand to his forehead with enough force to knock over a cart horse and from yet another pocket inside his overcoat he pulled an owl a real live rather ruffledlooking owl a long quill and a roll of parchment .With his tongue between his teeth he scribbled a note that Harry could read upside down Dear Professor Dumbledore Given Harry his letter .Taking him to buy his things tomorrow .Weathers horrible .Hope youre well .Hagrid Hagrid rolled up the note gave it to the owl which clamped it in its beak went to the door and threw the owl out into the storm .Then he came back and sat down as though this was as normal as talking on the telephone .Harry realized his mouth was open and closed it quickly .Where was I ?said Hagrid but at that moment Uncle Vernon still ashenfaced but looking very angry moved into the firelight .Hes not going he said .Hagrid grunted .Id like ter see a great Muggle like you stop him he said .A what ?said Harry interested .A Muggle said Hagrid its what we call nonmagic folk like them .An its your bad luck you grew up in a family o the biggest Muggles I ever laid eyes on .We swore when we took him in wed put a stop to that rubbish said Uncle Vernon swore wed stamp it out of him !Wizard indeed !You knew ?said Harry .You knew Im a a wizard ?Knew !shrieked Aunt Petunia suddenly .Knew Of course we knew !How could you not be my dratted sister being what she was ?Oh she got a letter just like that and disappeared off to that that school and came home every vacation with her pockets full of frog spawn turning teacups into rats .I was the only one who saw her for what she was a freak !But for my mother and father oh no it was Lily this and Lily that they were proud of having a witch in the family !She stopped to draw a deep breath and then went ranting on .It seemed she had been wanting to say all this for years .Then she met that Potter at school and they left and got married and had you and of course I knew youd be just the same just as strange just as as abnormal and then if you please she went and got herself blown up and we got landed with you !Harry had gone very white .As soon as he found his voice he said Blown up ?You told me they died in a car crash !CAR CRASH !roared Hagrid jumping up so angrily that the Dursleys scuttled back to their corner .How could a car crash kill Lily an James Potter ?Its an outrage !A scandal !Harry Potter not knowin his own story when every kid in our world knows his name !But why ?What happened ?Harry asked urgently .The anger faded from Hagrids face .He looked suddenly anxious .I never expected this he said in a low worried voice .I had no idea when Dumbledore told me there might be trouble gettin hold of yeh how much yeh didnt know .Ah Harry I don know if Im the right person ter tell yeh but someones gotta yeh cant go off ter Hogwarts not knowin .He threw a dirty look at the Dursleys .Well its best yeh know as much as I can tell yeh mind I cant tell yeh everythin its a great mystry parts of it .He sat down stared into the fire for a few seconds and then said It begins I suppose with with a person called but its incredible yeh dont know his name everyone in our world knows Who ?Well I don like sayin the name if I can help it .No one does .Why not ?Gulpin gargoyles Harry people are still scared .Blimey this is difficult .See there was this wizard who went .bad .As bad as you could go .Worse .Worse than worse .His name was .Hagrid gulped but no words came out .Could you write it down ?Harry suggested .Nah cant spell it .All right Voldemort .Hagrid shuddered .Don make me say it again .Anyway this this wizard about twenty years ago now started lookin fer followers .Got em too some were afraid some just wanted a bit o his power cause he was gettin himself power all right .Dark days Harry .Didnt know who ter trust didnt dare get friendly with strange wizards or witches .terrible things happened .He was takin over .Course some stood up to him an he killed em .Horribly .One o the only safe places left was Hogwarts .Reckon Dumbledores the only one YouKnowWho was afraid of .Didnt dare try takin the school not jus then anyway .Now yer mum an dad were as good a witch an wizard as I ever knew .Head boy an girl at Hogwarts in their day !Suppose the mystry is why YouKnow Who never tried to get em on his side before .probably knew they were too close ter Dumbledore ter want anythin ter do with the Dark Side .Maybe he thought he could persuade em .maybe he just wanted em outta the way .All anyone knows is he turned up in the village where you was all living on Halloween ten years ago .You was just a year old .He came ter yer house an an Hagrid suddenly pulled out a very dirty spotted handkerchief and blew his nose with a sound like a foghorn .Sorry he said .But its that sad knew yer mum an dad an nicer people yeh couldnt find anyway YouKnowWho killed em .An then an this is the real mystry of the thing he tried to kill you too .Wanted ter make a clean job of it I suppose or maybe he just liked killin by then .But he couldnt do it .Never wondered how you got that mark on yer forehead ?That was no ordinary cut .Thats what yeh get when a powerful evil curse touches yeh took care of yer mum an dad an yer house even but it didnt work on you an thats why yer famous Harry .No one ever lived after he decided ter kill em no one except you an hed killed some o the best witches an wizards of the age the McKinnons the Bones the Prewetts an you was only a baby an you lived .Something very painful was going on in Harrys mind .As Hagrids story came to a close he saw again the blinding flash of green light more clearly than he had ever remembered it before and he remembered something else for the first time in his life a high cold cruel laugh .Hagrid was watching him sadly .Took yeh from the ruined house myself on Dumbledores orders .Brought yeh ter this lot .Load of old tosh said Uncle Vernon .Harry jumped he had almost forgotten that the Dursleys were there .Uncle Vernon certainly seemed to have got back his courage .He was glaring at Hagrid and his fists were clenched .Now you listen here boy he snarled I accept theres something strange about you probably nothing a good beating wouldnt have cured and as for all this about your parents well they were weirdos no denying it and the worlds better off without them in my opinion asked for all they got getting mixed up with these wizarding types just what I expected always knew theyd come to a sticky end But at that moment Hagrid leapt from the sofa and drew a battered pink umbrella from inside his coat .Pointing this at Uncle Vernon like a sword he said Im warning you Dursley Im warning you one more word .In danger of being speared on the end of an umbrella by a bearded giant Uncle Vernons courage failed again he flattened himself against the wall and fell silent .Thats better said Hagrid breathing heavily and sitting back down on the sofa which this time sagged right down to the floor .Harry meanwhile still had questions to ask hundreds of them .But what happened to Vol sorry I mean You KnowWho ?Good question Harry .Disappeared .Vanished .Same night he tried ter kill you .Makes yeh even more famous .Thats the biggest mystry see .he was gettin more an more powerful whyd he go ?Some say he died .Codswallop in my opinion .Dunno if he had enough human left in him to die .Some say hes still out there bidin his time like but I don believe it .People who was on his side came back ter ours .Some of em came outta kinda trances .Don reckon they couldve done if he was cornin back .Most of us reckon hes still out there somewhere but lost his powers .Too weak to carry on .Cause somethin about you finished him Harry .There was somethin goin on that night he hadnt counted on dunno what it was no one does but somethin about you stumped him all right .Hagrid looked at Harry with warmth and respect blazing in his eyes but Harry instead of feeling pleased and proud felt quite sure there had been a horrible mistake .A wizard ?Him ?How could he possibly be ?Hed spent his life being clouted by Dudley and bullied by Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon if he was really a wizard why hadnt they been turned into warty toads every time theyd tried to lock him in his cupboard ?If hed once defeated the greatest sorcerer in the world how come Dudley had always been able to kick him around like a football ?Hagrid he said quietly I think you must have made a mistake .I dont think I can be a wizard .To his surprise Hagrid chuckled .Not a wizard eh ?Never made things happen when you was scared or angry ?Harry looked into the fire .Now he came to think about it .every odd thing that had ever made his aunt and uncle furious with him had happened when he Harry had been upset or angry .chased by Dudleys gang he had somehow found himself out of their reach .dreading going to school with that ridiculous haircut hed managed to make it grow back .and the very last time Dudley had hit him hadnt he got his revenge without even realizing he was doing it ?Hadnt he set a boa constrictor on him ?Harry looked back at Hagrid smiling and saw that Hagrid was positively beaming at him .See ?said Hagrid .Harry Potter not a wizard you wait youll be right famous at Hogwarts .But Uncle Vernon wasnt going to give in without a fight .Havent I told you hes not going ?he hissed .Hes going to Stonewall High and hell be grateful for it .Ive read those letters and he needs all sorts of rubbish spell books and wands and If he wants ter go a great Muggle like you wont stop him growled Hagrid .Stop Lily an James Potters son goin ter Hogwarts !Yer mad .His names been down ever since he was born .Hes off ter the finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world .Seven years there and he wont know himself .Hell be with youngsters of his own sort fer a change an hell be under the greatest headmaster Hogwarts ever had Albus Dumbled I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS !yelled Uncle Vernon .But he had finally gone too far .Hagrid seized his umbrella and whirled it over his head NEVER he thundered INSULT ALBUS DUMBLEDORE IN FRONT OF ME !He brought the umbrella swishing down through the air to point at Dudley there was a flash of violet light a sound like a firecracker a sharp squeal and the next second Dudley was dancing on the spot with his hands clasped over his fat bottom howling in pain .When he turned his back on them Harry saw a curly pigs tail poking through a hole in his trousers .Uncle Vernon roared .Pulling Aunt Petunia and Dudley into the other room he cast one last terrified look at Hagrid and slammed the door behind them .Hagrid looked down at his umbrella and stroked his beard .Shouldnta lost me temper he said ruefully but it didnt work anyway .Meant ter turn him into a pig but I suppose he was so much like a pig anyway there wasnt much left ter do .He cast a sideways look at Harry under his bushy eyebrows .Be grateful if yeh didnt mention that ter anyone at Hogwarts he said .Im er not supposed ter do magic strictly speakin .I was allowed ter do a bit ter follow yeh an get yer letters to yeh an stuff one o the reasons I was so keen ter take on the job Why arent you supposed to do magic ?asked Harry .Oh well I was at Hogwarts meself but I er got expelled ter tell yeh the truth .In me third year .They snapped me wand in half an everything .But Dumbledore let me stay on as gamekeeper .Great man Dumbledore .Why were you expelled ?Its gettin late and weve got lots ter do tomorrow said Hagrid loudly .Gotta get up ter town get all yer books an that .He took off his thick black coat and threw it to Harry .You can kip under that he said .Don mind if it wriggles a bit I think I still got a couple o dormice in one o the pockets .DIAGON ALLY Harry woke early the next morning .Although he could tell it was daylight he kept his eyes shut tight .It was a dream he told himself firmly .I dreamed a giant called Hagrid came to tell me I was going to a school for wizards .When I open my eyes Ill be at home in my cupboard .There was suddenly a loud tapping noise .And theres Aunt Petunia knocking on the door Harry thought his heart sinking .But he still didnt open his eyes .It had been such a good dream .Tap .Tap .Tap .All right Harry mumbled Im getting up .He sat up and Hagrid s heavy coat fell off him .The hut was full of sunlight the storm was over Hagrid himself was asleep on the collapsed sofa and there was an owl rapping its claw on the window a newspaper held in its beak .Harry scrambled to his feet so happy he felt as though a large balloon was swelling inside him .He went straight to the window and jerked it open .The owl swooped in and dropped the newspaper on top of Hagrid who didnt wake up .The owl then fluttered onto the floor and began to attack Hagrid s coat .Dont do that .Harry tried to wave the owl out of the way but it snapped its beak fiercely at him and carried on savaging the coat .Hagrid !said Harry loudly .Theres an owl Pay him Hagrid grunted into the sofa .What ?He wants payin fer deliverin the paper .Look in the pockets .Hagrid s coat seemed to be made of nothing but pockets bunches of keys slug pellets balls of string peppermint humbugs teabags .finally Harry pulled out a handful of strangelooking coins .Give him five Knuts said Hagrid sleepily .Knuts ?The little bronze ones .Harry counted out five little bronze coins and the owl held out his leg so Harry could put the money into a small leather pouch tied to it .Then he flew off through the open window .Hagrid yawned loudly sat up and stretched .Best be off Harry lots ter do today gotta get up ter London an buy all yer stuff fer school .Harry was turning over the wizard coins and looking at them .He had just thought of something that made him feel as though the happy balloon inside him had got a puncture .Urn Hagrid ?Mm ?said Hagrid who was pulling on his huge boots .I havent got any money and you heard Uncle Vernon last night .he wont pay for me to go and learn magic .Dont worry about that said Hagrid standing up and scratching his head .Dyeh think yer parents didnt leave yeh anything ?But if their house was destroyed They didn keep their gold in the house boy !Nah first stop fer us is Gringotts .Wizards bank .Have a sausage theyre not bad cold an I wouldn say no teh a bit o yer birthday cake neither .Wizards have banks ?Just the one .Gringotts .Run by goblins .Harry dropped the bit of sausage he was holding .Goblins ?Yeah so yehd be mad ter try an rob it Ill tell yeh that .Never mess with goblins Harry .Gringotts is the safest place in the world fer anything yeh want ter keep safe cept maybe Hogwarts .As a matter o fact I gotta visit Gringotts anyway Fer Dumbledore .Hogwarts business .Hagrid drew himself up proudly .He usually gets me ter do important stuff fer him .Fetchin you gettin things from Gringotts knows he can trust me see .Got everythin ?Come on then .Harry followed Hagrid out onto the rock .The sky was quite clear now and the sea gleamed in the sunlight .The boat Uncle Vernon had hired was still there with a lot of water in the bottom after the storm .How did you get here ?Harry asked looking around for another boat .Flew said Hagrid .Flew ?Yeah but well go back in this .Not spposed ter use magic now Ive got yeh .They settled down in the boat Harry still staring at Hagrid trying to imagine him flying .Seems a shame ter row though said Hagrid giving Harry another of his sideways looks .If I was ter er speed things up a bit would yeh mind not mentionin it at Hogwarts ?Of course not said Harry eager to see more magic .Hagrid pulled out the pink umbrella again tapped it twice on the side of the boat and they sped off toward land .Why would you be mad to try and rob Gringotts ?Harry asked .Spells enchantments said Hagrid unfolding his newspaper as he spoke .They say theres dragons guardin the highsecurity vaults .And then yeh gotta find yer way Gringotts is hundreds of miles under London see .Deep under the Underground .Yehd die of hunger tryin ter get out even if yeh did manage ter get yer hands on summat .Harry sat and thought about this while Hagrid read his newspaper the Daily Prophet Harry had learned from Uncle Vernon that people liked to be left alone while they did this but it was very difficult hed never had so many questions in his life .Ministry o Magic messin things up as usual Hagrid muttered turning the page .Theres a Ministry of Magic ?Harry asked before he could stop himself .Course said Hagrid .They wanted Dumbledore fer Minister o course but hed never leave Hogwarts so old Cornelius Fudge got the job .Bungler if ever there was one .So he pelts Dumbledore with owls every morning askin fer advice .But what does a Ministry of Magic do ?Well their main job is to keep it from the Muggles that theres still witches an wizards up an down the country .Why ?Why ?Blimey Harry everyone d be wantin magic solutions to their problems .Nah were best left alone .At this moment the boat bumped gently into the harbor wall .Hagrid folded up his newspaper and they clambered up the stone steps onto the street .Passersby stared a lot at Hagrid as they walked through the little town to the station .Harry couldnt blame them .Not only was Hagrid twice as tall as anyone else he kept pointing at perfectly ordinary things like parking meters and saying loudly See that Harry ?Things these Muggles dream up eh ?Hagrid said Harry panting a bit as he ran to keep up did you say there are dragons at Gringotts ?Well so they say said Hagrid .Crikey Id like a dragon .Youd like one ?Wanted one ever since I was a kid here we go .They had reached the station .There was a train to London in five minutes time .Hagrid who didnt understand Muggle money as he called it gave the bills to Harry so he could buy their tickets .People stared more than ever on the train .Hagrid took up two seats and sat knitting what looked like a canaryyellow circus tent .Still got yer letter Harry ?he asked as he counted stitches .Harry took the parchment envelope out of his pocket .Good said Hagrid .Theres a list there of everything yeh need .Harry unfolded a second piece of paper he hadnt noticed the night before and read HOGWARTS SCHOOL oWITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY UNIFORM Firstyear students will require 1 .Three sets of plain work robes black 2 .One plain pointed hat black for day wear 3 .One pair of protective gloves dragon hide or similar 4 .One winter cloak black silver fastenings Please note that all pupils clothes should carry name tags COURSE BOOKS All students should have a copy of each of the following The Standard Book of Spells Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander The Dark Forces A Guide to SelfProtection by Quentin Trimble OTHER EQUIPMENT 1 wand 1 cauldron pewter standard size 2 1 set glass or crystal phials 1 telescope 1 set brass scales Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS Can we buy all this in London ?Harry wondered aloud .If yeh know where to go said Hagrid .Harry had never been to London before .Although Hagrid seemed to know where he was going he was obviously not used to getting there in an ordinary way .He got stuck in the ticket barrier on the Underground and complained loudly that the seats were too small and the trains too slow .I dont know how the Muggles manage without magic he said as they climbed a brokendown escalator that led up to a bustling road lined with shops .Hagrid was so huge that he parted the crowd easily all Harry had to do was keep close behind him .They passed book shops and music stores hamburger restaurants and cinemas but nowhere that looked as if it could sell you a magic wand .This was just an ordinary street full of ordinary people .Could there really be piles of wizard gold buried miles beneath them ?Were there really shops that sold spell books and broomsticks ?Might this not all be some huge joke that the Dursleys had cooked up ?If Harry hadnt known that the Dursleys had no sense of humor he might have thought so yet somehow even though everything Hagrid had told him so far was unbelievable Harry couldnt help trusting him .This is it said Hagrid coming to a halt the Leaky Cauldron .Its a famous place .It was a tiny grubbylooking pub .If Hagrid hadnt pointed it out Harry wouldnt have noticed it was there .The people hurrying by didnt glance at it .Their eyes slid from the big book shop on one side to the record shop on the other as if they couldnt see the Leaky Cauldron at all .In fact Harry had the most peculiar feeling that only he and Hagrid could see it .Before he could mention this Hagrid had steered him inside .For a famous place it was very dark and shabby .A few old women were sitting in a corner drinking tiny glasses of sherry .One of them was smoking a long pipe .A little man in a top hat was talking to the old bartender who was quite bald and looked like a toothless walnut .The low buzz of chatter stopped when they walked in .Everyone seemed to know Hagrid they waved and smiled at him and the bartender reached for a glass saying The usual Hagrid ?Cant Tom Im on Hogwarts business said Hagrid clapping his great hand on Harrys shoulder and making Harrys knees buckle .Good Lord said the bartender peering at Harry is this can this be ?The Leaky Cauldron had suddenly gone completely still and silent .Bless my soul whispered the old bartender Harry Potter .what an honor .He hurried out from behind the bar rushed toward Harry and seized his hand tears in his eyes .Welcome back Mr Potter welcome back .Harry didnt know what to say .Everyone was looking at him .The old woman with the pipe was puffing on it without realizing it had gone out .Hagrid was beaming .Then there was a great scraping of chairs and the next moment Harry found himself shaking hands with everyone in the Leaky Cauldron .Doris Crockford Mr Potter cant believe Im meeting you at last .So proud Mr Potter Im just so proud .Always wanted to shake your hand Im all of a flutter .Delighted Mr Potter just cant tell you Diggles the name Dedalus Diggle .Ive seen you before !said Harry as Dedalus Diggles top hat fell off in his excitement .You bowed to me once in a shop .He remembers !cried Dedalus Diggle looking around at everyone .Did you hear that ?He remembers me !Harry shook hands again and again Doris Crockford kept coming back for more .A pale young man made his way forward very nervously .One of his eyes was twitching .Professor Quirrell !said Hagrid .Harry Professor Quirrell will be one of your teachers at Hogwarts .PPPotter stammered Professor Quirrell grasping Harrys hand ccant ttell you how ppleased I am to meet you .What sort of magic do you teach Professor Quirrell ?DDefense Against the DDDark Arts muttered Professor Quirrell as though hed rather not think about it .Nnot that you nneed it eh PPPotter ?He laughed nervously .Youll be ggetting all your equipment I suppose ?Ive ggot to ppick up a new b book on vampires mmyself .He looked terrified at the very thought .But the others wouldnt let Professor Quirrell keep Harry to himself .It took almost ten minutes to get away from them all .At last Hagrid managed to make himself heard over the babble .Must get on lots ter buy .Come on Harry .Doris Crockford shook Harrys hand one last time and Hagrid led them through the bar and out into a small walled courtyard where there was nothing but a trash can and a few weeds .Hagrid grinned at Harry .Told yeh didnt I ?Told yeh you was famous .Even Professor Quirrell was tremblin ter meet yeh mind you hes usually tremblin .Is he always that nervous ?Oh yeah .Poor bloke .Brilliant mind .He was fine while he was studyin outta books but then he took a year off ter get some firsthand experience .They say he met vampires in the Black Forest and there was a nasty bit o trouble with a hag never been the same since .Scared of the students scared of his own subject now wheres me umbrella ?Vampires ?Hags ?Harrys head was swimming .Hagrid meanwhile was counting bricks in the wall above the trash can .Three up .two across .he muttered .Right stand back Harry .He tapped the wall three times with the point of his umbrella .The brick he had touched quivered it wriggled in the middle a small hole appeared it grew wider and wider a second later they were facing an archway large enough even for Hagrid an archway onto a cobbled street that twisted and turned out of sight .Welcome said Hagrid to Diagon Alley .He grinned at Harrys amazement .They stepped through the archway .Harry looked quickly over his shoulder and saw the archway shrink instantly back into solid wall .The sun shone brightly on a stack of cauldrons outside the nearest shop .Cauldrons All Sizes Copper Brass Pewter Silver SelfStirring Collapsible said a sign hanging over them .Yeah youll be needin one said Hagrid but we gotta get yer money first .Harry wished he had about eight more eyes .He turned his head in every direction as they walked up the street trying to look at everything at once the shops the things outside them the people doing their shopping .A plump woman outside an Apothecary was shaking her head as they passed saying Dragon liver sixteen Sickles an ounce theyre mad .A low soft hooting came from a dark shop with a sign saying Eeylops Owl Emporium Tawny Screech Barn Brown and Snowy .Several boys of about Harrys age had their noses pressed against a window with broomsticks in it .Look Harry heard one of them say the new Nimbus Two Thousand fastest ever There were shops selling robes shops selling telescopes and strange silver instruments Harry had never seen before windows stacked with barrels of bat spleens and eels eyes tottering piles of spell books quills and rolls of parchment potion bottles globes of the moon .Gringotts said Hagrid .They had reached a snowy white building that towered over the other little shops .Standing beside its burnished bronze doors wearing a uniform of scarlet and gold was Yeah thats a goblin said Hagrid quietly as they walked up the white stone steps toward him .The goblin was about a head shorter than Harry .He had a swarthy clever face a pointed beard and Harry noticed very long fingers and feet .He bowed as they walked inside .Now they were facing a second pair of doors silver this time with words engraved upon them Enter stranger but take heed Of what awaits the sin of greed For those who take but do not earn Must pay most dearly in their turn .So if you seek beneath our floors A treasure that was never yours Thief you have been warned beware Of finding more than treasure there .Like I said yehd be mad ter try an rob it said Hagrid .A pair of goblins bowed them through the silver doors and they were in a vast marble hall .About a hundred more goblins were sitting on high stools behind a long counter scribbling in large ledgers weighing coins in brass scales examining precious stones through eyeglasses .There were too many doors to count leading off the hall and yet more goblins were showing people in and out of these .Hagrid and Harry made for the counter .Morning said Hagrid to a free goblin .Weve come ter take some money outta Mr Harry Potters safe .You have his key sir ?Got it here somewhere said Hagrid and he started emptying his pockets onto the counter scattering a handful of moldy dog biscuits over the goblins book of numbers .The goblin wrinkled his nose .Harry watched the goblin on their right weighing a pile of rubies as big as glowing coals .Got it said Hagrid at last holding up a tiny golden key .The goblin looked at it closely .That seems to be in order .An Ive also got a letter here from Professor Dumbledore said Hagrid importantly throwing out his chest .Its about the YouKnowWhat in vault seven hundred and thirteen .The goblin read the letter carefully .Very well he said handing it back to Hagrid I will have someone take you down to both vaults .Griphook !Griphook was yet another goblin .Once Hagrid had crammed all the dog biscuits back inside his pockets he and Harry followed Griphook toward one of the doors leading off the hall .Whats the YouKnowWhat in vault seven hundred and thirteen ?Harry asked .Cant tell yeh that said Hagrid mysteriously .Very secret .Hogwarts business .Dumbledores trusted me .Moren my jobs worth ter tell yeh that .Griphook held the door open for them .Harry who had expected more marble was surprised .They were in a narrow stone passageway lit with flaming torches .It sloped steeply downward and there were little railway tracks on the floor .Griphook whistled and a small cart came hurtling up the tracks toward them .They climbed in Hagrid with some difficulty and were off .At first they just hurtled through a maze of twisting passages .Harry tried to remember left right right left middle fork right left but it was impossible .The rattling cart seemed to know its own way because Griphook wasnt steering .Harrys eyes stung as the cold air rushed past them but he kept them wide open .Once he thought he saw a burst of fire at the end of a passage and twisted around to see if it was a dragon but too late they plunged even deeper passing an underground lake where huge stalactites and stalagmites grew from the ceiling and floor .I never know Harry called to Hagrid over the noise of the cart whats the difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite ?Stalagmites got an ‘m in it said Hagrid .An don ask me questions just now I think Im gonna be sick .He did look very green and when the cart stopped at last beside a small door in the passage wall Hagrid got out and had to lean against the wall to stop his knees from trembling .Griphook unlocked the door .A lot of green smoke came billowing out and as it cleared Harry gasped .Inside were mounds of gold coins .Columns of silver .Heaps of little bronze Knuts .All yours smiled Hagrid .All Harrys it was incredible .The Dursleys couldnt have known about this or theyd have had it from him faster than blinking .How often had they complained how much Harry cost them to keep ?And all the time there had been a small fortune belonging to him buried deep under London .Hagrid helped Harry pile some of it into a bag .The gold ones are Galleons he explained .Seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twentynine Knuts to a Sickle its easy enough .Right that should be enough fer a couple o terms well keep the rest safe for yeh .He turned to Griphook .Vault seven hundred and thirteen now please and can we go more slowly ?One speed only said Griphook .They were going even deeper now and gathering speed .The air became colder and colder as they hurtled round tight corners .They went rattling over an underground ravine and Harry leaned over the side to try to see what was down at the dark bottom but Hagrid groaned and pulled him back by the scruff of his neck .Vault seven hundred and thirteen had no keyhole .Stand back said Griphook importantly .He stroked the door gently with one of his long fingers and it simply melted away .If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried that theyd be sucked through the door and trapped in there said Griphook .How often do you check to see if anyones inside ?Harry asked .About once every ten years said Griphook with a rather nasty grin .Something really extraordinary had to be inside this top security vault Harry was sure and he leaned forward eagerly expecting to see fabulous jewels at the very least but at first he thought it was empty .Then he noticed a grubby little package wrapped up in brown paper lying on the floor .Hagrid picked it up and tucked it deep inside his coat .Harry longed to know what it was but knew better than to ask .Come on back in this infernal cart and dont talk to me on the way back its best if I keep me mouth shut said Hagrid .One wild cart ride later they stood blinking in the sunlight outside Gringotts .Harry didnt know where to run first now that he had a bag full of money .He didnt have to know how many Galleons there were to a pound to know that he was holding more money than hed had in his whole life more money than even Dudley had ever had .Might as well get yer uniform said Hagrid nodding toward Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions .Listen Harry would yeh mind if I slipped off fer a pickmeup in the Leaky Cauldron ?I hate them Gringotts carts .He did still look a bit sick so Harry entered Madam Malkins shop alone feeling nervous .Madam Malkin was a squat smiling witch dressed all in mauve .Hogwarts dear ?she said when Harry started to speak .Got the lot here another young man being fitted up just now in fact .In the back of the shop a boy with a pale pointed face was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes .Madam Malkin stood Harry on a stool next to him slipped a long robe over his head and began to pin it to the right length .Hello said the boy Hogwarts too ?Yes said Harry .My fathers next door buying my books and mothers up the street looking at wands said the boy .He had a bored drawling voice .Then Im going to drag them off to look at racing brooms .I dont see why first years cant have their own .I think Ill bully father into getting me one and Ill smuggle it in somehow .Harry was strongly reminded of Dudley .Have you got your own broom ?the boy went on .No said Harry .Play Quidditch at all ?No Harry said again wondering what on earth Quidditch could be .I do Father says its a crime if Im not picked to play for my House and I must say I agree .Know what House you 11 be in yet ?No said Harry feeling more stupid by the minute .Well no one really knows until they get there do they but I know Ill be in Slytherin all our family have been imagine being in Hufflepuff I think Id leave wouldnt you ?Mmm said Harry wishing he could say something a bit more interesting .I say look at that man !said the boy suddenly nodding toward the front window .Hagrid was standing there grinning at Harry and pointing at two large ice creams to show he couldnt come in .Thats Hagrid said Harry pleased to know something the boy didnt .He works at Hogwarts .Oh said the boy Ive heard of him .Hes a sort of servant isnt he ?Hes the gamekeeper said Harry .He was liking the boy less and less every second .Yes exactly .I heard hes a sort of savage lives in a hut on the school grounds and every now and then he gets drunk tries to do magic and ends up setting fire to his bed .I think hes brilliant said Harry coldly .Do you ?said the boy with a slight sneer .Why is he with you ?Where are your parents ?Theyre dead said Harry shortly .He didnt feel much like going into the matter with this boy .Oh sorry said the other not sounding sorry at all .But they were our kind werent they ?They were a witch and wizard if thats what you mean .I really dont think they should let the other sort in do you ?Theyre just not the same theyve never been brought up to know our ways .Some of them have never even heard of Hogwarts until they get the letter imagine .I think they should keep it in the old wizarding families .Whats your surname anyway ?But before Harry could answer Madam Malkin said Thats you done my dear and Harry not sorry for an excuse to stop talking to the boy hopped down from the footstool .Well Ill see you at Hogwarts I suppose said the drawling boy .Harry was rather quiet as he ate the ice cream Hagrid had bought him chocolate and raspberry with chopped nuts .Whats up ?said Hagrid .Nothing Harry lied .They stopped to buy parchment and quills .Harry cheered up a bit when he found a bottle of ink that changed color as you wrote .When they had left the shop he said Hagrid whats Quidditch ?Blimey Harry I keep forgettin how little yeh know not knowin about Quidditch !Dont make me feel worse said Harry .He told Hagrid about the pale boy in Madam Malkins .and he said people from Muggle families shouldnt even be allowed in Yer not from a Muggle family .If hed known who yeh were hes grown up knowin yer name if his parents are wizardin folk .You saw what everyone in the Leaky Cauldron was like when they saw yeh .Anyway what does he know about it some o the best I ever saw were the only ones with magic in em in a long line o Muggles look at yer mum !Look what she had fer a sister !So what is Quidditch ?Its our sport .Wizard sport .Its like like soccer in the Muggle world everyone follows Quidditch played up in the air on broomsticks and theres four balls sorta hard ter explain the rules .And what are Slytherin and Hufflepuff ?School Houses .Theres four .Everyone says Hufflepuff are a lot o duffers but I bet Im in Hufflepuff said Harry gloomily .Better Hufflepuff than Slytherin said Hagrid darkly .Theres not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasnt in Slytherin .YouKnowWho was one .Vol sorry YouKnowWho was at Hogwarts ?Years an years ago said Hagrid .They bought Harrys school books in a shop called Flourish and Blotts where the shelves were stacked to the ceiling with books as large as paving stones bound in leather books the size of postage stamps in covers of silk books full of peculiar symbols and a few books with nothing in them at all .Even Dudley who never read anything would have been wild to get his hands on some of these .Hagrid almost had to drag Harry away from Curses and Countercurses Bewitch Your Friends and Befuddle Your Enemies with the Latest Revenges Hair Loss JellyLegs TongueTying and Much Much More by Professor Vindictus Viridian .I was trying to find out how to curse Dudley .Im not sayin thats not a good idea but yer not ter use magic in the Muggle world except in very special circumstances said Hagrid .An anyway yeh couldn work any of them curses yet yehll need a lot more study before yeh get ter that level .Hagrid wouldnt let Harry buy a solid gold cauldron either It says pewter on yer list but they got a nice set of scales for weighing potion ingredients and a collapsible brass telescope .Then they visited the Apothecary which was fascinating enough to make up for its horrible smell a mixture of bad eggs and rotted cabbages .Barrels of slimy stuff stood on the floor jars of herbs dried roots and bright powders lined the walls bundles of feathers strings of fangs and snarled claws hung from the ceiling .While Hagrid asked the man behind the counter for a supply of some basic potion ingredients for Harry Harry himself examined silver unicorn horns at twentyone Galleons each and minuscule glittery black beetle eyes five Knuts a scoop .Outside the Apothecary Hagrid checked Harrys list again .Just yer wand left oh yeah an I still havent got yeh a birthday present .Harry felt himself go red .You dont have to I know I dont have to .Tell yeh what Ill get yer animal .Not a toad toads went outta fashion years ago yehd be laughed at an I don like cats they make me sneeze .Ill get yer an owl .All the kids want owls theyre dead useful carry yer mail an everythin .Twenty minutes later they left Eeylops Owl Emporium which had been dark and full of rustling and flickering jewelbright eyes .Harry now carried a large cage that held a beautiful snowy owl fast asleep with her head under her wing .He couldnt stop stammering his thanks sounding just like Professor Quirrell .Don mention it said Hagrid gruffly .Don expect youve had a lotta presents from them Dursleys .Just Ollivanders left now only place fer wands Ollivanders and yeh gotta have the best wand .A magic wand .this was what Harry had been really looking forward to .The last shop was narrow and shabby .Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivanders Makers of Fine Wands since 382b .c .A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window .A tinkling bell rang somewhere in the depths of the shop as they stepped inside .It was a tiny place empty except for a single spindly chair that Hagrid sat on to wait .Harry felt strangely as though he had entered a very strict library he swallowed a lot of new questions that had just occurred to him and looked instead at the thousands of narrow boxes piled neatly right up to the ceiling .For some reason the back of his neck prickled .The very dust and silence in here seemed to tingle with some secret magic .Good afternoon said a soft voice .Harry jumped .Hagrid must have jumped too because there was a loud crunching noise and he got quickly off the spindly chair .An old man was standing before them his wide pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop .Hello said Harry awkwardly .Ah yes said the man .Yes yes .I thought Id be seeing you soon .Harry Potter .It wasnt a question .You have your mothers eyes .It seems only yesterday she was in here herself buying her first wand .Ten and a quarter inches long swishy made of willow .Nice wand for charm work .Mr Ollivander moved closer to Harry .Harry wished he would blink .Those silvery eyes were a bit creepy .Your father on the other hand favored a mahogany wand .Eleven inches .Pliable .A little more power and excellent for transfiguration .Well I say your father favored it its really the wand that chooses the wizard of course .Mr Ollivander had come so close that he and Harry were almost nose to nose .Harry could see himself reflected in those misty eyes .And thats where .Mr Ollivander touched the lightning scar on Harrys forehead with a long white finger .Im sorry to say I sold the wand that did it he said softly .Thirteenandahalf inches .Yew .Powerful wand very powerful and in the wrong hands .well if Id known what that wand was going out into the world to do .He shook his head and then to Harrys relief spotted Hagrid .Rubeus !Rubeus Hagrid !How nice to see you again . .Oak sixteen inches rather bendy wasnt it ?It was sir yes said Hagrid .Good wand that one .But I suppose they snapped it in half when you got expelled ?said Mr Ollivander suddenly stern .Er yes they did yes said Hagrid shuffling his feet .Ive still got the pieces though he added brightly .But you dont use them ?said Mr Ollivander sharply .Oh no sir said Hagrid quickly .Harry noticed he gripped his pink umbrella very tightly as he spoke .Hmmm said Mr Ollivander giving Hagrid a piercing look .Well now Mr Potter .Let me see .He pulled a long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket .Which is your wand arm ?Er well Im righthanded said Harry .Hold out your arm .Thats it .He measured Harry from shoulder to finger then wrist to elbow shoulder to floor knee to armpit and round his head .As he measured he said Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance Mr Potter .We use unicorn hairs phoenix tail feathers and the heartstrings of dragons .No two Ollivander wands are the same just as no two unicorns dragons or phoenixes are quite the same .And of course you will never get such good results with another wizards wand .Harry suddenly realized that the tape measure which was measuring between his nostrils was doing this on its own .Mr Ollivander was flitting around the shelves taking down boxes .That will do he said and the tape measure crumpled into a heap on the floor .Right then Mr Potter .Try this one .Beechwood and dragon heartstring .Nine inches .Nice and flexible .Just take it and give it a wave .Harry took the wand and feeling foolish waved it around a bit but Mr Ollivander snatched it out of his hand almost at once .Maple and phoenix feather .Seven inches .Quite whippy .Try Harry tried but he had hardly raised the wand when it too was snatched back by Mr Ollivander .No no here ebony and unicorn hair eight and a half inches springy .Go on go on try it out .Harry tried .And tried .He had no idea what Mr Ollivander was waiting for .The pile of tried wands was mounting higher and higher on the spindly chair but the more wands Mr Ollivander pulled from the shelves the happier he seemed to become .Tricky customer eh ?Not to worry well find the perfect match here somewhere I wonder now yes why not unusual combination holly and phoenix feather eleven inches nice and supple .Harry took the wand .He felt a sudden warmth in his fingers .He raised the wand above his head brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework throwing dancing spots of light on to the walls .Hagrid whooped and clapped and Mr Ollivander cried Oh bravo !Yes indeed oh very good .Well well well .how curious .how very curious .He put Harrys wand back into its box and wrapped it in brown paper still muttering Curious .curious Sorry said Harry but whats curious ?Mr Ollivander fixed Harry with his pale stare .I remember every wand Ive ever sold Mr Potter .Every single wand .It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand gave another feather just one other .It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother why its brother gave you that scar .Harry swallowed .Yes thirteenandahalf inches .Yew .Curious indeed how these things happen .The wand chooses the wizard remember .I think we must expect great things from you Mr Potter .After all HeWho MustNotBeNamed did great things terrible yes but great .Harry shivered .He wasnt sure he liked Mr Ollivander too much .He paid seven gold Galleons for his wand and Mr Ollivander bowed them from his shop .The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky as Harry and Hagrid made their way back down Diagon Alley back through the wall back through the Leaky Cauldron now empty .Harry didnt speak at all as they walked down the road he didnt even notice how much people were gawking at them on the Underground laden as they were with all their funny shaped packages with the snowy owl asleep in its cage on Harrys lap .Up another escalator out into Paddington station Harry only realized where they were when Hagrid tapped him on the shoulder .Got time fer a bite to eat before yer train leaves he said .He bought Harry a hamburger and they sat down on plastic seats to eat them .Harry kept looking around .Everything looked so strange somehow .You all right Harry ?Yer very quiet said Hagrid .Harry wasnt sure he could explain .Hed just had the best birthday of his life and yet he chewed his hamburger trying to find the words .Everyone thinks Im special he said at last .All those people in the Leaky Cauldron Professor Quirrell Mr Ollivander .but I dont know anything about magic at all .How can they expect great things ?Im famous and I cant even remember what Im famous for .I dont know what happened when Vol sorry I mean the night my parents died .Hagrid leaned across the table .Behind the wild beard and eyebrows he wore a very kind smile .Don you worry Harry .Youll learn fast enough .Everyone starts at the beginning at Hogwarts youll be just fine .Just be yerself .I know its hard .Yehve been singled out an thats always hard .But yehll have a great time at Hogwarts I did still do smatter of fact .Hagrid helped Harry on to the train that would take him back to the Dursleys then handed him an envelope .Yer ticket fer Hogwarts he said .First o September Kings Cross its all on yer ticket .Any problems with the Dursleys send me a letter with yer owl shell know where to find me .See yeh soon Harry .The train pulled out of the station .Harry wanted to watch Hagrid until he was out of sight he rose in his seat and pressed his nose against the window but he blinked and Hagrid had gone .THE JOURNEY FROM PLATFORM NINE AND THREEQUARTERS Harrys last month with the Dursleys wasnt fun .True Dudley was now so scared of Harry he wouldnt stay in the same room while Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon didnt shut Harry in his cupboard force him to do anything or shout at him in fact they didnt speak to him at all .Half terrified half furious they acted as though any chair with Harry in it were empty .Although this was an improvement in many ways it did become a bit depressing after a while .Harry kept to his room with his new owl for company .He had decided to call her Hedwig a name he had found in A History of Magic .His school books were very interesting .He lay on his bed reading late into the night Hedwig swooping in and out of the open window as she pleased .It was lucky that Aunt Petunia didnt come in to vacuum anymore because Hedwig kept bringing back dead mice .Every night before he went to sleep Harry ticked off another day on the piece of paper he had pinned to the wall counting down to September the first .On the last day of August he thought hed better speak to his aunt and uncle about getting to Kings Cross station the next day so he went down to the living room where they were watching a quiz show on television .He cleared his throat to let them know he was there and Dudley screamed and ran from the room .Er Uncle Vernon ?Uncle Vernon grunted to show he was listening .Er I need to be at Kings Cross tomorrow to to go to Hogwarts .Uncle Vernon grunted again .Would it be all right if you gave me a lift ?Grunt .Harry supposed that meant yes .Thank you .He was about to go back upstairs when Uncle Vernon actually spoke .Funny way to get to a wizards school the train .Magic carpets all got punctures have they ?Harry didnt say anything .Where is this school anyway ?I dont know said Harry realizing this for the first time .He pulled the ticket Hagrid had given him out of his pocket .I just take the train from platform nine and three quarters at eleven oclock he read .His aunt and uncle stared .Platform what ?Nine and threequarters .Dont talk rubbish said Uncle Vernon .There is no platform nine and threequarters .Its on my ticket .Barking said Uncle Vernon howling mad the lot of them .You 11 see .You just wait .All right well take you to Kings Cross .Were going up to London tomorrow anyway or I wouldnt bother .Why are you going to London ?Harry asked trying to keep things friendly .Taking Dudley to the hospital growled Uncle Vernon .Got to have that ruddy tail removed before he goes to Smeltings .Harry woke at five oclock the next morning and was too excited and nervous to go back to sleep .He got up and pulled on his jeans because he didnt want to walk into the station in his wizards robes hed change on the train .He checked his Hogwarts list yet again to make sure he had everything he needed saw that Hedwig was shut safely in her cage and then paced the room waiting for the Dursleys to get up .Two hours later Harrys huge heavy trunk had been loaded into the Dursleys car Aunt Petunia had talked Dudley into sitting next to Harry and they had set off .They reached Kings Cross at half past ten .Uncle Vernon dumped Harrys trunk onto a cart and wheeled it into the station for him .Harry thought this was strangely kind until Uncle Vernon stopped dead facing the platforms with a nasty grin on his face .Well there you are boy .Platform nine platform ten .Your platform should be somewhere in the middle but they dont seem to have built it yet do they ?He was quite right of course .There was a big plastic number nine over one platform and a big plastic number ten over the one next to it and in the middle nothing at all .Have a good term said Uncle Vernon with an even nastier smile .He left without another word .Harry turned and saw the Dursleys drive away .All three of them were laughing .Harrys mouth went rather dry .What on earth was he going to do ?He was starting to attract a lot of funny looks because of Hedwig .Hed have to ask someone .He stopped a passing guard but didnt dare mention platform nine and threequarters .The guard had never heard of Hogwarts and when Harry couldnt even tell him what part of the country it was in he started to get annoyed as though Harry was being stupid on purpose .Getting desperate Harry asked for the train that left at eleven oclock but the guard said there wasnt one .In the end the guard strode away muttering about time wasters .Harry was now trying hard not to panic .According to the large clock over the arrivals board he had ten minutes left to get on the train to Hogwarts and he had no idea how to do it he was stranded in the middle of a station with a trunk he could hardly lift a pocket full of wizard money and a large owl .Hagrid must have forgotten to tell him something you had to do like tapping the third brick on the left to get into Diagon Alley .He wondered if he should get out his wand and start tapping the ticket inspectors stand between platforms nine and ten .At that moment a group of people passed just behind him and he caught a few words of what they were saying .packed with Muggles of course Harry swung round .The speaker was a plump woman who was talking to four boys all with flaming red hair .Each of them was pushing a trunk like Harrys in front of him and they had an owl .Heart hammering Harry pushed his cart after them .They stopped and so did he just near enough to hear what they were saying .Now whats the platform number ?said the boys mother .Nine and threequarters !piped a small girl also red headed who was holding her hand Mom cant I go Youre not old enough Ginny now be quiet .All right Percy you go first .What looked like the oldest boy marched toward platforms nine and ten .Harry watched careful not to blink in case he missed it but just as the boy reached the dividing barrier between the two platforms a large crowd of tourists came swarming in front of him and by the time the last backpack had cleared away the boy had vanished .Fred you next the plump woman said .Im not Fred Im George said the boy .Honestly woman you call yourself our mother ?Cant you tell Im George ?Sorry George dear .Only joking I am Fred said the boy and off he went .His twin called after him to hurry up and he must have done so because a second later he had gone but how had he done it ?Now the third brother was walking briskly toward the barrier he was almost there and then quite suddenly he wasnt anywhere .There was nothing else for it .Excuse me Harry said to the plump woman .Hello dear she said .First time at Hogwarts ?Rons new too .She pointed at the last and youngest of her sons .He was tall thin and gangling with freckles big hands and feet and a long nose .Yes said Harry .The thing is the thing is I dont know how to How to get onto the platform ?she said kindly and Harry nodded .Not to worry she said .All you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten .Dont stop and dont be scared youll crash into it thats very important .Best do it at a bit of a run if youre nervous .Go on go now before Ron .Er okay said Harry .He pushed his trolley around and stared at the barrier .It looked very solid .He started to walk toward it .People jostled him on their way to platforms nine and ten .Harry walked more quickly .He was going to smash right into that barrier and then hed be in trouble leaning forward on his cart he broke into a heavy run the barrier was coming nearer and nearer he wouldnt be able to stop the cart was out of control he was a foot away he closed his eyes ready for the crash It didnt come .he kept on running .he opened his eyes .A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people .A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express eleven oclock .Harry looked behind him and saw a wroughtiron archway where the barrier had been with the words Platform Nine and Three Quarters on it .He had done it .Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd while cats of every color wound here and there between their legs .Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks .The first few carriages were already packed with students some hanging out of the window to talk to their families some fighting over seats .Harry pushed his cart off down the platform in search of an empty seat .He passed a roundfaced boy who was saying Gran Ive lost my toad again .Oh Neville he heard the old woman sigh .A boy with dreadlocks was surrounded by a small crowd .Give us a look Lee go on .The boy lifted the lid of a box in his arms and the people around him shrieked and yelled as something inside poked out a long hairy leg .Harry pressed on through the crowd until he found an empty compartment near the end of the train .He put Hedwig inside first and then started to shove and heave his trunk toward the train door .He tried to lift it up the steps but could hardly raise one end and twice he dropped it painfully on his foot .Want a hand ?It was one of the redhaired twins hed followed through the barrier .Yes please Harry panted .Oy Fred !Cmere and help !With the twins help Harrys trunk was at last tucked away in a corner of the compartment .Thanks said Harry pushing his sweaty hair out of his eyes .Whats that ?said one of the twins suddenly pointing at Harrys lightning scar .Blimey said the other twin .Are you ?He is said the first twin .Arent you ?he added to Harry .What ?said Harry .Harry Potter chorused the twins .Oh him said Harry .I mean yes I am .The two boys gawked at him and Harry felt himself turning red .Then to his relief a voice came floating in through the trains open door .Fred ?George ?Are you there ?Coming Mom .With a last look at Harry the twins hopped off the train .Harry sat down next to the window where half hidden he could watch the redhaired family on the platform and hear what they were saying .Their mother had just taken out her handkerchief .Ron youve got something on your nose .The youngest boy tried to jerk out of the way but she grabbed him and began rubbing the end of his nose .Mom geroff .He wriggled free .aah has ickle Ronnie got somefink on his nosie ?said one of the twins .Shut up said Ron .Wheres Percy ?said their mother .Hes coming now .The oldest boy came striding into sight .He had already changed into his billowing black Hogwarts robes and Harry noticed a shiny red and gold badge on his chest with the letter P on it .Cant stay long Mother he said .Im up front the prefects have got two compartments to themselves Oh are you a prefect Percy ?said one of the twins with an air of great surprise .You should have said something we had no idea .Hang on I think I remember him saying something about it said the other twin .Once Or twice A minute All summer Oh shut up said Percy the Prefect .How come Percy gets new robes anyway ?said one of the twins .Because hes a prefect said their mother fondly .All right dear well have a good term send me an owl when you get there .She kissed Percy on the cheek and he left .Then she turned to the twins .Now you two this year you behave yourselves .If I get one more owl telling me youve youve blown up a toilet or Blown up a toilet ?Weve never blown up a toilet .Great idea though thanks Mom .Its not funny .And look after Ron .Dont worry ickle Ronniekins is safe with us .Shut up said Ron again .He was almost as tall as the twins already and his nose was still pink where his mother had rubbed it .Hey Mom guess what ?Guess who we just met on the train ?Harry leaned back quickly so they couldnt see him looking .You know that blackhaired boy who was near us in the station ?Know who he is ?Who ?Harry Potted Harry heard the little girls voice .Oh Mom can I go on the train and see him Mom oh please .Youve already seen him Ginny and the poor boy isnt something you goggle at in a zoo .Is he really Fred ?How do you know ?Asked him .Saw his scar .Its really there like lightning .Poor dear no wonder he was alone I wondered .He was ever so polite when he asked how to get onto the platform .Never mind that do you think he remembers what YouKnowWho looks like ?Their mother suddenly became very stern .I forbid you to ask him Fred .No dont you dare .As though he needs reminding of that on his first day at school .All right keep your hair on .A whistle sounded .Hurry up !their mother said and the three boys clambered onto the train .They leaned out of the window for her to kiss them goodbye and their younger sister began to cry .Dont Ginny well send you loads of owls .Well send you a Hogwarts toilet seat .Georg e Only joking Mom .The train began to move .Harry saw the boys mother waving and their sister half laughing half crying running to keep up with the train until it gathered too much speed then she fell back and waved .Harry watched the girl and her mother disappear as the train rounded the corner .Houses flashed past the window .Harry felt a great leap of excitement .He didnt know what he was going to but it had to be better than what he was leaving behind .The door of the compartment slid open and the youngest redheaded boy came in .Anyone sitting there ?he asked pointing at the seat opposite Harry .Everywhere else is full .Harry shook his head and the boy sat down .He glanced at Harry and then looked quickly out of the window pretending he hadnt looked .Harry saw he still had a black mark on his nose .Hey Ron .The twins were back .Listen were going down the middle of the train Lee Jordans got a giant tarantula down there .Right mumbled Ron .Harry said the other twin did we introduce ourselves ?Fred and George Weasley .And this is Ron our brother .See you later then .Bye said Harry and Ron .The twins slid the compartment door shut behind them .Are you really Harry Potter ?Ron blurted out .Harry nodded .Oh well I thought it might be one of Fred and Georges jokes said Ron .And have you really got you know .He pointed at Harrys forehead .Harry pulled back his bangs to show the lightning scar .Ron stared .So thats where YouKnowWho ?Yes said Harry but I cant remember it .Nothing ?said Ron eagerly .Well I remember a lot of green light but nothing else .Wow said Ron .He sat and stared at Harry for a few moments then as though he had suddenly realized what he was doing he looked quickly out of the window again .Are all your family wizards ?asked Harry who found Ron just as interesting as Ron found him .Er yes I think so said Ron .I think Moms got a second cousin whos an accountant but we never talk about him .So you must know loads of magic already .The Weasleys were clearly one of those old wizarding families the pale boy in Diagon Alley had talked about .I heard you went to live with Muggles said Ron .What are they like ?Horrible well not all of them .My aunt and uncle and cousin are though .Wish Id had three wizard brothers .Five said Ron .For some reason he was looking gloomy .Im the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts .You could say Ive got a lot to live up to .Bill and Charlie have already left Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch .Now Percys a prefect .Fred and George mess around a lot but they still get really good marks and everyone thinks theyre really funny .Everyone expects me to do as well as the others but if I do its no big deal because they did it first .You never get anything new either with five brothers .Ive got Bills old robes Charlies old wand and Percys old rat .Ron reached inside his jacket and pulled out a fat gray rat which was asleep .His names Scabbers and hes useless he hardly ever wakes up .Percy got an owl from my dad for being made a prefect but they couldnt aff I mean I got Scabbers instead .Rons ears went pink .He seemed to think hed said too much because he went back to staring out of the window .Harry didnt think there was anything wrong with not being able to afford an owl .After all hed never had any money in his life until a month ago and he told Ron so all about having to wear Dudleys old clothes and never getting proper birthday presents .This seemed to cheer Ron up . .and until Hagrid told me I didnt know anything about being a wizard or about my parents or Voldemort Ron gasped .What ?said Harry .You said YouKnowWhos name said Ron sounding both shocked and impressed .Id have thought you of all people Im not trying to be brave or anything saying the name said Harry I just never knew you shouldnt .See what I mean ?Ive got loads to learn .I bet he added voicing for the first time something that had been worrying him a lot lately I bet Im the worst in the class .You wont be .Theres loads of people who come from Muggle families and they learn quick enough .While they had been talking the train had carried them out of London .Now they were speeding past fields full of cows and sheep .They were quiet for a time watching the fields and lanes flick past .Around half past twelve there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling dimpled woman slid back their door and said Anything off the cart dears ?Harry who hadnt had any breakfast leapt to his feet but Rons ears went pink again and he muttered that hed brought sandwiches .Harry went out into the corridor .He had never had any money for candy with the Dursleys and now that he had pockets rattling with gold and silver he was ready to buy as many Mars Bars as he could carry but the woman didnt have Mars Bars .What she did have were Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans Droobles Best Blowing Gum Chocolate Frogs Pumpkin Pasties Cauldron Cakes Licorice Wands and a number of other strange things Harry had never seen in his life .Not wanting to miss anything he got some of everything and paid the woman eleven silver Sickles and seven bronze Knuts .Ron stared as Harry brought it all back in to the compartment and tipped it onto an empty seat .Hungry are you ?Starving said Harry taking a large bite out of a pumpkin pasty .Ron had taken out a lumpy package and unwrapped it .There were four sandwiches inside .He pulled one of them apart and said She always forgets I dont like corned beef .Swap you for one of these said Harry holding up a pasty .Go on You dont want this its all dry said Ron .She hasnt got much time he added quickly you know with five of us .Go on have a pasty said Harry who had never had anything to share before or indeed anyone to share it with .It was a nice feeling sitting there with Ron eating their way through all Harrys pasties cakes and candies the sandwiches lay forgotten .What are these ?Harry asked Ron holding up a pack of Chocolate Frogs .Theyre not really frogs are they ?He was starting to feel that nothing would surprise him .No said Ron .But see what the card is .Im missing Agrippa .What ?Oh of course you wouldnt know Chocolate Frogs have cards inside them you know to collect famous witches and wizards .Ive got about five hundred but I havent got Agrippa or Ptolemy .Harry unwrapped his Chocolate Frog and picked up the card .It showed a mans face .He wore halfmoon glasses had a long crooked nose and flowing silver hair beard and mustache .Underneath the picture was the name Albus Dumbledore .So this is Dumbledore !said Harry .Dont tell me youd never heard of Dumbledore !said Ron .Can I have a frog ?I might get Agrippa thanks Harry turned over his card and read ALBUS DUMBLEDORE CURRENTLY HEADMASTER OF HOGWARTS Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945 for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragons blood and his work on alchemy with his partner Nicolas Flamel .Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and ten pin bowling .Harry turned the card back over and saw to his astonishment that Dumbledore s face had disappeared .Hes gone !Well you cant expect him to hang around all day said Ron .Hell be back .No Ive got Morgana again and Ive got about six of her .do you want it ?You can start collecting .Rons eyes strayed to the pile of Chocolate Frogs waiting to be unwrapped .Help yourself said Harry .But in you know the Muggle world people just stay put in photos .Do they ?What they dont move at all ?Ron sounded amazed .Weird .Harry stared as Dumbledore sidled back into the picture on his card and gave him a small smile .Ron was more interested in eating the frogs than looking at the Famous Witches and Wizards cards but Harry couldnt keep his eyes off them .Soon he had not only Dumbledore and Morgana but Hengist of Woodcraft Alberic Grunnion Circe Paracelsus and Merlin .He finally tore his eyes away from the druidess Cliodna who was scratching her nose to open a bag of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans .You want to be careful with those Ron warned Harry .When they say every flavor they mean every flavor you know you get all the ordinary ones like chocolate and peppermint and marmalade but then you can get spinach and liver and tripe .George reckons he had a boogerflavored one once .Ron picked up a green bean looked at it carefully and bit into a corner .Bleaargh see ?Sprouts .They had a good time eating the Every Flavor Beans .Harry got toast coconut baked bean strawberry curry grass coffee sardine and was even brave enough to nibble the end off a funny gray one Ron wouldnt touch which turned out to be pepper .The countryside now flying past the window was becoming wilder .The neat fields had gone .Now there were woods twisting rivers and dark green hills .There was a knock on the door of their compartment and the roundfaced boy Harry had passed on platform nine and threequarters came in .He looked tearful .Sorry he said but have you seen a toad at all ?When they shook their heads he wailed Ive lost him !He keeps getting away from me !Hell turn up said Harry .Yes said the boy miserably .Well if you see him .He left .Dont know why hes so bothered said Ron .If Id brought a toad Id lose it as quick as I could .Mind you I brought Scabbers so I cant talk .The rat was still snoozing on Rons lap .He might have died and you wouldnt know the difference said Ron in disgust .I tried to turn him yellow yesterday to make him more interesting but the spell didnt work .Ill show you look .He rummaged around in his trunk and pulled out a very batteredlooking wand .It was chipped in places and something white was glinting at the end .Unicorn hairs nearly poking out .Anyway He had just raised his wand when the compartment door slid open again .The toadless boy was back but this time he had a girl with him .She was already wearing her new Hogwarts robes .Has anyone seen a toad ?Nevilles lost one she said .She had a bossy sort of voice lots of bushy brown hair and rather large front teeth .Weve already told him we havent seen it said Ron but the girl wasnt listening she was looking at the wand in his hand .Oh are you doing magic ?Lets see it then .She sat down .Ron looked taken aback .Er all right .He cleared his throat .Sunshine daisies butter mellow Turn this stupid fat rat yellow .He waved his wand but nothing happened .Scabbers stayed gray and fast asleep .Are you sure thats a real spell ?said the girl .Well its not very good is it ?Ive tried a few simple spells just for practice and its all worked for me .Nobody in my familys magic at all it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter but I was ever so pleased of course I mean its the very best school of witchcraft there is Ive heard Ive learned all our course books by heart of course I just hope it will be enough Im Hermione Granger by the way who are you ?She said all this very fast .Harry looked at Ron and was relieved to see by his stunned face that he hadnt learned all the course books by heart either .Im Ron Weasley Ron muttered .Harry Potter said Harry .Are you really ?said Hermione .I know all about you of course I got a few extra books for background reading and youre in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century .Am I ?said Harry feeling dazed .Goodness didnt you know Id have found out everything I could if it was me said Hermione .Do either of you know what House youll be in ?Ive been asking around and I hope Im in Gryffindor it sounds by far the best I hear Dumbledore himself was in it but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldnt be too bad .Anyway wed better go and look for Nevilles toad .You two had better change you know I expect well be there soon .And she left taking the toadless boy with her .Whatever House Im in I hope shes not in it said Ron .He threw his wand back into his trunk .Stupid spell George gave it to me bet he knew it was a dud .What House are your brothers in ?asked Harry .Gryffindor said Ron .Gloom seemed to be settling on him again .Mom and Dad were in it too .I dont know what theyll say if Im not .I dont suppose Ravenclaw would be too bad but imagine if they put me in Slytherin .Thats the House Vol I mean YouKnowWho was in ?Yeah said Ron .He flopped back into his seat looking depressed .You know I think the ends of Scabbers whiskers are a bit lighter said Harry trying to take Rons mind off Houses .So what do your oldest brothers do now that theyve left anyway ?Harry was wondering what a wizard did once hed finished school .Charlies in Romania studying dragons and Bills in Africa doing something for Gringotts said Ron .Did you hear about Gringotts ?Its been all over the Daily Prophet but I dont suppose you get that with the Muggles someone tried to rob a high security vault .Harry stared .Really ?What happened to them ?Nothing thats why its such big news .They havent been caught .My dad says it mustve been a powerful Dark wizard to get round Gringotts but they dont think they took anything thats whats odd .Course everyone gets scared when something like this happens in case YouKnowWhos behind it .Harry turned this news over in his mind .He was starting to get a prickle of fear every time YouKnow Who was mentioned .He supposed this was all part of entering the magical world but it had been a lot more comfortable saying Voldemort without worrying .Whats your Quidditch team ?Ron asked .Er I dont know any Harry confessed .What !Ron looked dumbfounded .Oh you wait its the best game in the world And he was off explaining all about the four balls and the positions of the seven players describing famous games hed been to with his brothers and the broomstick hed like to get if he had the money .He was just taking Harry through the finer points of the game when the compartment door slid open yet again but it wasnt Neville the toadless boy or Hermione Granger this time .Three boys entered and Harry recognized the middle one at once It was the pale boy from Madam Malkins robe shop .He was looking at Harry with a lot more interest than hed shown back in Diagon Alley .Is it true ?he said .Theyre saying all down the train that Harry Potters in this compartment .So its you is it ?Yes said Harry .He was looking at the other boys .Both of them were thickset and looked extremely mean .Standing on either side of the pale boy they looked like bodyguards .Oh this is Crabbe and this is Goyle said the pale boy carelessly noticing where Harry was looking .And my names Malfoy Draco Malfoy .Ron gave a slight cough which might have been hiding a snigger .Draco Malfoy looked at him .Think my names funny do you ?No need to ask who you are .My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair freckles and more children than they can afford .He turned back to Harry .Youll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others Potter .You dont want to go making friends with the wrong sort .I can help you there .He held out his hand to shake Harrys but Harry didnt take it .I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself thanks he said coolly .Draco Malfoy didnt go red but a pink tinge appeared in his pale cheeks .Id be careful if I were you Potter he said slowly .Unless youre a bit politer youll go the same way as your parents .They didnt know what was good for them either .You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid and itll rub off on you .Both Harry and Ron stood up .Say that again Ron said his face as red as his hair .Oh youre going to fight us are you ?Malfoy sneered .Unless you get out now said Harry more bravely than he felt because Crabbe and Goyle were a lot bigger than him or Ron .But we dont feel like leaving do we boys ?Weve eaten all our food and you still seem to have some .Goyle reached toward the Chocolate Frogs next to Ron Ron leapt forward but before hed so much as touched Goyle Goyle let out a horrible yell .Scabbers the rat was hanging off his finger sharp little teeth sunk deep into Goyle s knuckle Crabbe and Malfoy backed away as Goyle swung Scabbers round and round howling and when Scabbers finally flew off and hit the window all three of them disappeared at once .Perhaps they thought there were more rats lurking among the sweets or perhaps theyd heard footsteps because a second later Hermione Granger had come in .What has been going on ?she said looking at the sweets all over the floor and Ron picking up Scabbers by his tail .I think hes been knocked out Ron said to Harry .He looked closer at Scabbers .No I dont believe it hes gone back to sleep .And so he had .Youve met Malfoy before ?Harry explained about their meeting in Diagon Alley .Ive heard of his family said Ron darkly .They were some of the first to come back to our side after You KnowWho disappeared .Said theyd been bewitched .My dad doesnt believe it .He says Malfoys father didnt need an excuse to go over to the Dark Side .He turned to Hermione .Can we help you with something ?Youd better hurry up and put your robes on Ive just been up to the front to ask the conductor and he says were nearly there .You havent been fighting have you ?Youll be in trouble before we even get there !Scabbers has been fighting not us said Ron scowling at her .Would you mind leaving while we change ?All right I only came in here because people outside are behaving very childishly racing up and down the corridors said Hermione in a sniffy voice .And youve got dirt on your nose by the way did you know ?Ron glared at her as she left .Harry peered out of the window .It was getting dark .He could see mountains and forests under a deep purple sky .The train did seem to be slowing down .He and Ron took off their jackets and pulled on their long black robes .Rons were a bit short for him you could see his sneakers underneath them .A voice echoed through the train We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes time .Please leave your luggage on the train it will be taken to the school separately .Harrys stomach lurched with nerves and Ron he saw looked pale under his freckles .They crammed their pockets with the last of the sweets and joined the crowd thronging the corridor .The train slowed right down and finally stopped .People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny dark platform .Harry shivered in the cold night air .Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students and Harry heard a familiar voice Firs years !Firs years over here !All right there Harry ?Hagrids big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads .Cmon follow me any more firs years ?Mind yer step now !Firs years follow me !Slipping and stumbling they followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep narrow path .It was so dark on either side of them that Harry thought there must be thick trees there .Nobody spoke much .Neville the boy who kept losing his toad sniffed once or twice .Yehll get yer firs sight o Hogwarts in a sec Hagrid called over his shoulder jus round this bend here .There was a loud Oooooh !The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake .Perched atop a high mountain on the other side its windows sparkling in the starry sky was a vast castle with many turrets and towers .No moren four to a boat !Hagrid called pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore .Harry and Ron were followed into their boat by Neville and Hermione .Everyone in ?shouted Hagrid who had a boat to himself .Right then FORWARD !And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once gliding across the lake which was as smooth as glass .Everyone was silent staring up at the great castle overhead .It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood .Heads down !yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face .They were carried along a dark tunnel which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle until they reached a kind of underground harbor where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles .Oy you there !Is this your toad ?said Hagrid who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them .Trevor !cried Neville blissfully holding out his hands .Then they clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrids lamp coming out at last onto smooth damp grass right in the shadow of the castle .They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge oak front door .Everyone here ?You there still got yer toad ?Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door .7 THE SORTING HAT The door swung open at once .A tall blackhaired witch in emeraldgreen robes stood there .She had a very stern face and Harrys first thought was that this was not someone to cross .The firs years Professor McGonagall said Hagrid .Thank you Hagrid .I will take them from here .She pulled the door wide .The entrance hall was so big you could have fit the whole of the Dursleys house in it .The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts the ceiling was too high to make out and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors .They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor .Harry could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right the rest of the school must already be here but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small empty chamber off the hall .They crowded in standing rather closer together than they would usually have done peering about nervously .Welcome to Hogwarts said Professor McGonagall .The startofterm banquet will begin shortly but before you take your seats in the Great Hall you will be sorted into your Houses .The Sorting is a very important ceremony because while you are here your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts .You will have classes with the rest of your House sleep in your House dormitory and spend free time in your House common room .The four Houses are called Gryffindor Hufflepuff Ravenclaw and Slytherin .Each House has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards .While you are at Hogwarts your triumphs will earn your House points while any rule breaking will lose House points .At the end of the year the House with the most points is awarded the House cup a great honor .I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours .The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school .I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting .Her eyes lingered for a moment on Nevilles cloak which was fastened under his left ear and on Rons smudged nose .Harry nervously tried to flatten his hair .I shall return when we are ready for you said Professor McGonagall .Please wait quietly .She left the chamber .Harry swallowed .How exactly do they sort us into Houses ?he asked Ron .Some sort of test I think .Fred said it hurts a lot but I think he was joking .Harrys heart gave a horrible jolt .A test ?In front of the whole school ?But he didnt know any magic yet what on earth would he have to do ?He hadnt expected something like this the moment they arrived .He looked around anxiously and saw that everyone else looked terrified too .No one was talking much except Hermione Granger who was whispering very fast about all the spells shed learned and wondering which one shed need .Harry tried hard not to listen to her .Hed never been more nervous never not even when hed had to take a school report home to the Dursleys saying that hed somehow turned his teachers wig blue .He kept his eyes fixed on the door .Any second now Professor McGonagall would come back and lead him to his doom .Then something happened that made him jump about a foot in the air several people behind him screamed .What the ?He gasped .So did the people around him .About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall .Pearlywhite and slightly transparent they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years .They seemed to be arguing .What looked like a fat little monk was saying Forgive and forget I say we ought to give him a second chance My dear Friar havent we given Peeves all the chances he deserves ?He gives us all a bad name and you know hes not really even a ghost I say what are you all doing here ?A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years .Nobody answered .New students !said the Fat Friar smiling around at them .About to be Sorted I suppose ?A few people nodded mutely .Hope to see you in Hufflepuff !said the Friar .My old House you know .Move along now said a sharp voice .The Sorting Ceremonys about to start .Professor McGonagall had returned .One by one the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall .Now form a line Professor McGonagall told the first years and follow me .Feeling oddly as though his legs had turned to lead Harry got into line behind a boy with sandy hair with Ron behind him and they walked out of the chamber back across the hall and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall .Harry had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place .It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables where the rest of the students were sitting .These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets .At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting .Professor McGonagall led the first years up here so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students with the teachers behind them .The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight .Dotted here and there among the students the ghosts shone misty silver .Mainly to avoid all the staring eyes Harry looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars .He heard Hermione whisper Its bewitched to look like the sky outside .I read about it in Hogwarts A History .It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all and that the Great Hall didnt simply open on to the heavens .Harry quickly looked down again as Professor McGonagall silently placed a fourlegged stool in front of the first years .On top of the stool she put a pointed wizards hat .This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty .Aunt Petunia wouldnt have let it in the house .Maybe they had to try and get a rabbit out of it Harry thought wildly that seemed the sort of thing noticing that everyone in the hall was now staring at the hat he stared at it too .For a few seconds there was complete silence .Then the hat twitched .A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth and the hat began to sing Oh you may not think Im pretty But dont judge on what you see Ill eat myself if you can find A smarter hat than me .You can keep your bowlers black Your top hats sleek and tall For Im the Hogwarts Sorting Hat And I can cap them all .Theres nothing hidden in your head The Sorting Hat cant see So try me on and I will tell you Where you ought to be .You might belong in Gryffindor Where dwell the brave at heart Their daring nerve and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart You might belong in Hufflepuff Where they are just and loyal Those patient Hufflepuffs are true And unafraid of toil Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw If youve a ready mind Where those of wit and learning Will always find their kind Or perhaps in Slytherin Youll make your real friends Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their ends .So put me on !Dont be afraid l And dont get in a flap Youre in safe hands though I have none For Im a Thinking Cap The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song .It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again .So weve just got to try on the hat !Ron whispered to Harry .Ill kill Fred he was going on about wrestling a troll .Harry smiled weakly .Yes trying on the hat was a lot better than having to do a spell but he did wish they could have tried it on without everyone watching .The hat seemed to be asking rather a lot Harry didnt feel brave or quickwitted or any of it at the moment .If only the hat had mentioned a House for people who felt a bit queasy that would have been the one for him .Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment .When I call your name you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted she said .Abbott Hannah !A pinkfaced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line put on the hat which fell right down over her eyes and sat down .A moments pause HUFFLEPUFF !shouted the hat .The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table .Harry saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her .Bones Susan !HUFFLEPUFF !shouted the hat again and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah .Boot Terry !RAVENCLAW !The table second from the left clapped this time several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them .Brocklehurst Mandy went to Ravenclaw too but Brown Lavender became the first new Gryffindor and the table on the far left exploded with cheers Harry could see Rons twin brothers catcalling .Bulstrode Millicent then became a Slytherin .Perhaps it was Harrys imagination after all hed heard about Slytherin but he thought they looked like an unpleasant lot .He was starting to feel definitely sick now .He remembered being picked for teams during gym at his old school .He had always been last to be chosen not because he was no good but because no one wanted Dudley to think they liked him .FinchFletchley Justin !HUFFLEPUFF !Sometimes Harry noticed the hat shouted out the House at once but at others it took a little while to decide .Finnigan Seamus the sandyhaired boy next to Harry in the line sat on the stool for almost a whole minute before the hat declared him a Gryffindor .Granger Hermione !Hermione almost ran to the stool and jammed the hat eagerly on her head .GRYFFINDOR !shouted the hat .Ron groaned .A horrible thought struck Harry as horrible thoughts always do when youre very nervous .What if he wasnt chosen at all ?What if he just sat there with the hat over his eyes for ages until Professor McGonagall jerked it off his head and said there had obviously been a mistake and hed better get back on the train ?When Neville Longbottom the boy who kept losing his toad was called he fell over on his way to the stool .The hat took a long time to decide with Neville .When it finally shouted GRYFFINDOR Neville ran off still wearing it and had to jog back amid gales of laughter to give it to MacDougal Morag .Malfoy swaggered forward when his name was called and got his wish at once the hat had barely touched his head when it screamed SLYTHERIN !Malfoy went to join his friends Crabbe and Goyle looking pleased with himself .There werent many people left now .Moon Nott .Parkinson .then a pair of twin girls Path and Path .then Perks Sally Anne .and then at last Potter Harry !As Harry stepped forward whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall .Potter did she say ?The Harry Potter ?The last thing Harry saw before the hat dropped over his eyes was the hall full of people craning to get a good look at him .Next second he was looking at the black inside of the hat .He waited .Hmm said a small voice in his ear .Difficult .Very difficult .Plenty of courage I see .Not a bad mind either .Theres talent oh my goodness yes and a nice thirst to prove yourself now thats interesting .So where shall I put you ?Harry gripped the edges of the stool and thought Not Slytherin not Slytherin .Not Slytherin eh ?said the small voice .Are you sure ?You could be great you know its all here in your head and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness no doubt about that no ?Well if youre sure better be GRYFFINDOR !Harry heard the hat shout the last word to the whole hall .He took off the hat and walked shakily toward the Gryffindor table .He was so relieved to have been chosen and not put in Slytherin he hardly noticed that he was getting the loudest cheer yet .Percy the Prefect got up and shook his hand vigorously while the Weasley twins yelled We got Potter !We got Potter !Harry sat down opposite the ghost in the ruff hed seen earlier .The ghost patted his arm giving Harry the sudden horrible feeling hed just plunged it into a bucket of icecold water .He could see the High Table properly now .At the end nearest him sat Hagrid who caught his eye and gave him the thumbs up .Harry grinned back .And there in the center of the High Table in a large gold chair sat Albus Dumbledore .Harry recognized him at once from the card hed gotten out of the Chocolate Frog on the train .Dumbledores silver hair was the only thing in the whole hall that shone as brightly as the ghosts .Harry spotted Professor Quirrell too the nervous young man from the Leaky Cauldron .He was looking very peculiar in a large purple turban .And now there were only four people left to be sorted .Thomas Dean a Black boy even taller than Ron joined Harry at the Gryffindor table .Turpin Lisa became a Ravenclaw and then it was Rons turn .He was pale green by now .Harry crossed his fingers under the table and a second later the hat had shouted GRYFFINDOR !Harry clapped loudly with the rest as Ron collapsed into the chair next to him .Well done Ron excellent said Percy Weasley pompously across Harry as Zabini Blaise was made a Slytherin .Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away .Harry looked down at his empty gold plate .He had only just realized how hungry he was .The pumpkin pasties seemed ages ago .Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet .He was beaming at the students his arms opened wide as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there .Welcome !he said .Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts !Before we begin our banquet I would like to say a few words .And here they are Nitwit !Blubber !Oddment !Tweak !Thank you !He sat back down .Everybody clapped and cheered .Harry didnt know whether to laugh or not .Is he a bit mad ?he asked Percy uncertainly .Mad ?said Percy airily .Hes a genius !Best wizard in the world !But he is a bit mad yes .Potatoes Harry ?Harrys mouth fell open .The dishes in front of him were now piled with food .He had never seen so many things he liked to eat on one table roast beef roast chicken pork chops and lamb chops sausages bacon and steak boiled potatoes roast potatoes fries Yorkshire pudding peas carrots gravy ketchup and for some strange reason peppermint humbugs .The Dursleys had never exactly starved Harry but hed never been allowed to eat as much as he liked .Dudley had always taken anything that Harry really wanted even if it made him sick .Harry piled his plate with a bit of everything except the peppermints and began to eat .It was all delicious .That does look good said the ghost in the ruff sadly watching Harry cut up his steak .Cant you ?I havent eaten for nearly five hundred years said the ghost .I dont need to of course but one does miss it .I dont think Ive introduced myself ?Sir Nicholas de MimsyPorpington at your service .Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower .I know who you are !said Ron suddenly .My brothers told me about you youre Nearly Headless Nick !I would prefer you to call me Sir Nicholas de Mimsy the ghost began stiffly but sandyhaired Seamus Finnigan interrupted .Nearly Headless ?How can you be nearly headless ?Sir Nicholas looked extremely miffed as if their little chat wasnt going at all the way he wanted .Like this he said irritably .He seized his left ear and pulled .His whole head swung off his neck and fell onto his shoulder as if it was on a hinge .Someone had obviously tried to behead him but not done it properly .Looking pleased at the stunned looks on their faces Nearly Headless Nick flipped his head back onto his neck coughed and said So new Gryffindors !I hope youre going to help us win the House Championship this year ?Gryffindors have never gone so long without winning .Slytherins have got the cup six years in a row !The Bloody Barons becoming almost unbearable hes the Slytherin ghost .Harry looked over at the Slytherin table and saw a horrible ghost sitting there with blank staring eyes a gaunt face and robes stained with silver blood .He was right next to Malfoy who Harry was pleased to see didnt look too pleased with the seating arrangements .How did he get covered in blood ?asked Seamus with great interest .Ive never asked said Nearly Headless Nick delicately .When everyone had eaten as much as they could the remains of the food faded from the plates leaving them sparkling clean as before .A moment later the desserts appeared .Blocks of ice cream in every flavor you could think of apple pies treacle tarts chocolate eclairs and jam doughnuts trifle strawberries Jell 0 rice pudding .As Harry helped himself to a treacle tart the talk turned to their families .Im halfandhalf said Seamus .Me dads a Muggle .Mom didnt tell him she was a witch til after they were married .Bit of a nasty shock for him .The others laughed .What about you Neville ?said Ron .Well my gran brought me up and shes a witch said Neville but the family thought I was all Muggle for ages .My Great Uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off my guard and force some magic out of me he pushed me off the end of Blackpool pier once I nearly drowned but nothing happened until I was eight .Great Uncle Algie came round for dinner and he was hanging me out of an upstairs window by the ankles when my Great Auntie Enid offered him a meringue and he accidentally let go .But I bounced all the way down the garden and into the road .They were all really pleased Gran was crying she was so happy .And you should have seen their faces when I got in here they thought I might not be magic enough to come you see .Great Uncle Algie was so pleased he bought me my toad .On Harrys other side Percy Weasley and Hermione were talking about lessons I do hope they start right away theres so much to learn Im particularly interested in Transfiguration you know turning something into something else of course its supposed to be very difficult Youll be starting small just matches into needles and that sort of thing .Harry who was starting to feel warm and sleepy looked up at the High Table again .Hagrid was drinking deeply from his goblet .Professor McGonagall was talking to Professor Dumbledore .Professor Quirrell in his absurd turban was talking to a teacher with greasy black hair a hooked nose and sallow skin .It happened very suddenly .The hooknosed teacher looked past Quirrells turban straight into Harrys eyes and a sharp hot pain shot across the scar on Harrys forehead .Ouch !Harry clapped a hand to his head .What is it ?asked Percy .Nnothing .The pain had gone as quickly as it had come .Harder to shake off was the feeling Harry had gotten from the teachers look a feeling that he didnt like Harry at all .Whos that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell ?he asked Percy .Oh you know Quirrell already do you ?No wonder hes looking so nervous thats Professor Snape .He teaches Potions but he doesnt want to everyone knows hes after Quirrells job .Knows an awful lot about the Dark Arts Snape .Harry watched Snape for a while but Snape didnt look at him again .At last the desserts too disappeared and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again .The hall fell silent .Ahem just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered .I have a few startofterm notices to give you .First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils .And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well .Dumbledore s twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins .I have also been asked by Mr Filch the caretaker to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors .Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term .Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch .And finally I must tell you that this year the third floor corridor on the righthand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death .Harry laughed but he was one of the few who did .Hes not serious ?he muttered to Percy .Must be said Percy frowning at Dumbledore .Its odd because he usually gives us a reason why were not allowed to go somewhere the forests full of dangerous beasts everyone knows that .I do think he might have told us prefects at least .And now before we go to bed let us sing the school song !cried Dumbledore .Harry noticed that the other teachers smiles had become rather fixed .Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick as if he was trying to get a fly off the end and a long golden ribbon flew out of it which rose high above the tables and twisted itself snakelike into words .Everyone pick their favorite tune said Dumbledore and off we go !And the school bellowed Hogwarts Hogwarts Hoggy Warty Hogwarts Teach us something please Whether we be old and bald Or young with scabby knees Our heads could do with filling With some interesting stuff For now theyre bare and full of air Dead flies and bits of fluff So teach us things worth knowing Bring back what weve forgot Just do your best well do the rest And learn until our brains all rot .Everybody finished the song at different times .At last only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march .Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished he was one of those who clapped loudest .Ah music he said wiping his eyes .A magic beyond all we do here !And now bedtime .Off you trot !The Gryffindor first years followed Percy through the chattering crowds out of the Great Hall and up the marble staircase .Harrys legs were like lead again but only because he was so tired and full of food .He was too sleepy even to be surprised that the people in the portraits along the corridors whispered and pointed as they passed or that twice Percy led them through doorways hidden behind sliding panels and hanging tapestries .They climbed more staircases yawning and dragging their feet and Harry was just wondering how much farther they had to go when they came to a sudden halt .A bundle of walking sticks was floating in midair ahead of them and as Percy took a step toward them they started throwing themselves at him .Peeves Percy whispered to the first years .A poltergeist .He raised his voice Peeves show yourself .A loud rude sound like the air being let out of a balloon answered .Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron ?There was a pop and a little man with wicked dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared floating cross legged in the air clutching the walking sticks .Oooooooh !he said with an evil cackle .Ickle Firsties !What fun !He swooped suddenly at them .They all ducked .Go away Peeves or the Baronll hear about this I mean it !barked Percy .Peeves stuck out his tongue and vanished dropping the walking sticks on Nevilles head .They heard him zooming away rattling coats of armor as he passed .You want to watch out for Peeves said Percy as they set off again .The Bloody Barons the only one who can control him he wont even listen to us prefects .Here we are .At the very end of the corridor hung a portrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress .Password ?she said .Caput Draconis said Percy and the portrait swung forward to reveal a round hole in the wall .They all scrambled through it Neville needed a leg up and found themselves in the Gryffindor common room a cozy round room full of squashy armchairs .Percy directed the girls through one door to their dormitory and the boys through another .At the top of a spiral staircase they were obviously in one of the towers they found their beds at last five four posters hung with deep red velvet curtains .Their trunks had already been brought up .Too tired to talk much they pulled on their pajamas and fell into bed .Great food isnt it ?Ron muttered to Harry through the hangings .Get off Scabbers !Hes chewing my sheets .Harry was going to ask Ron if hed had any of the treacle tart but he fell asleep almost at once .Perhaps Harry had eaten a bit too much because he had a very strange dream .He was wearing Professor Quirrells turban which kept talking to him telling him he must transfer to Slytherin at once because it was his destiny .Harry told the turban he didnt want to be in Slytherin it got heavier and heavier he tried to pull it off but it tightened painfully and there was Malfoy laughing at him as he struggled with it then Malfoy turned into the hooknosed teacher Snape whose laugh became high and cold there was a burst of green light and Harry woke sweating and shaking .He rolled over and fell asleep again and when he woke next day he didnt remember the dream at all .THE POTIONS MASTER There look .Where ?Next to the tall kid with the red hair .Wearing the glasses ?Did you see his face ?Did you see his scar ?Whispers followed Harry from the moment he left his dormitory the next day .People lining up outside classrooms stood on tiptoe to get a look at him or doubled back to pass him in the corridors again staring .Harry wished they wouldnt because he was trying to concentrate on finding his way to classes .There were a hundred and fortytwo staircases at Hogwarts wide sweeping ones narrow rickety ones some that led somewhere different on a Friday some with a vanishing step halfway up that you had to remember to jump .Then there were doors that wouldnt open unless you asked politely or tickled them in exactly the right place and doors that werent really doors at all but solid walls just pretending .It was also very hard to remember where anything was because it all seemed to move around a lot .The people in the portraits kept going to visit each other and Harry was sure the coats of armor could walk .The ghosts didnt help either .It was always a nasty shock when one of them glided suddenly through a door you were trying to open .Nearly Headless Nick was always happy to point new Gryffindors in the right direction but Peeves the Poltergeist was worth two locked doors and a trick staircase if you met him when you were late for class .He would drop wastepaper baskets on your head pull rugs from under your feet pelt you with bits of chalk or sneak up behind you invisible grab your nose and screech GOT YOUR CONK !Even worse than Peeves if that was possible was the caretaker Argus Filch .Harry and Ron managed to get on the wrong side of him on their very first morning .Filch found them trying to force their way through a door that unluckily turned out to be the entrance to the outofbounds corridor on the third floor .He wouldnt believe they were lost was sure they were trying to break into it on purpose and was threatening to lock them in the dungeons when they were rescued by Professor Quirrell who was passing .Filch owned a cat called Mrs Norris a scrawny dust colored creature with bulging lamplike eyes just like Filchs .She patrolled the corridors alone .Break a rule in front of her put just one toe out of line and shed whisk off for Filch whod appear wheezing two seconds later .Filch knew the secret passageways of the school better than anyone except perhaps the Weasley twins and could pop up as suddenly as any of the ghosts .The students all hated him and it was the dearest ambition of many to give Mrs Norris a good kick .And then once you had managed to find them there were the classes themselves .There was a lot more to magic as Harry quickly found out than waving your wand and saying a few funny words .They had to study the night skies through their telescopes every Wednesday at midnight and learn the names of different stars and the movements of the planets .Three times a week they went out to the greenhouses behind the castle to study Herbology with a dumpy little witch called Professor Sprout where they learned how to take care of all the strange plants and fungi and found out what they were used for .Easily the most boring class was History of Magic which was the only one taught by a ghost .Professor Binns had been very old indeed when he had fallen asleep in front of the staff room fire and got up next morning to teach leaving his body behind him .Binns droned on and on while they scribbled down names and dates and got Emeric the Evil and Uric the Oddball mixed up .Professor Flitwick the Charms teacher was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk .At the start of their first class he took the roll call and when he reached Harrys name he gave an excited squeak and toppled out of sight .Professor McGonagall was again different .Harry had been quite right to think she wasnt a teacher to cross .Strict and clever she gave them a talking to the moment they sat down in her first class .Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts she said .Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back .You have been warned .Then she changed her desk into a pig and back again .They were all very impressed and couldnt wait to get started but soon realized they werent going to be changing the furniture into animals for a long time .After taking a lot of complicated notes they were each given a match and started trying to turn it into a needle .By the end of the lesson only Hermione Granger had made any difference to her match Professor McGonagall showed the class how it had gone all silver and pointy and gave Hermione a rare smile .The class everyone had really been looking forward to was Defense Against the Dark Arts but Quirrells lessons turned out to be a bit of a joke .His classroom smelled strongly of garlic which everyone said was to ward off a vampire hed met in Romania and was afraid would be coming back to get him one of these days .His turban he told them had been given to him by an African prince as a thankyou for getting rid of a troublesome zombie but they werent sure they believed this story .For one thing when Seamus Finnigan asked eagerly to hear how Quirrell had fought off the zombie Quirrell went pink and started talking about the weather for another they had noticed that a funny smell hung around the turban and the Weasley twins insisted that it was stuffed full of garlic as well so that Quirrell was protected wherever he went .Harry was very relieved to find out that he wasnt miles behind everyone else .Lots of people had come from Muggle families and like him hadnt had any idea that they were witches and wizards .There was so much to learn that even people like Ron didnt have much of a head start .Friday was an important day for Harry and Ron .They finally managed to find their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast without getting lost once .What have we got today ?Harry asked Ron as he poured sugar on his porridge .Double Potions with the Slytherins said Ron .Snapes Head of Slytherin House .They say he always favors them well be able to see if its true .Wish McGonagall favored us said Harry .Professor McGonagall was head of Gryffindor House but it hadnt stopped her from giving them a huge pile of homework the day before .Just then the mail arrived .Harry had gotten used to this by now but it had given him a bit of a shock on the first morning when about a hundred owls had suddenly streamed into the Great Hall during breakfast circling the tables until they saw their owners and dropping letters and packages onto their laps .Hedwig hadnt brought Harry anything so far .She sometimes flew in to nibble his ear and have a bit of toast before going off to sleep in the owlery with the other school owls .This morning however she fluttered down between the marmalade and the sugar bowl and dropped a note onto Harrys plate .Harry tore it open at once .It said in a very untidy scrawl Dear Harry I know you get Friday afternoons off so would you like to come and have a cup of tea with me around three ?I want to hear all about your first week .Send us an answer back with Hedwig .Hagrid Harry borrowed Rons quill scribbled Yes please see you later on the back of the note and sent Hedwig off again .It was lucky that Harry had tea with Hagrid to look forward to because the Potions lesson turned out to be the worst thing that had happened to him so far .At the startofterm banquet Harry had gotten the idea that Professor Snape disliked him .By the end of the first Potions lesson he knew hed been wrong .Snape didnt dislike Harry he hated him .Potions lessons took place down in one of the dungeons .It was colder here than up in the main castle and would have been quite creepy enough without the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the walls .Snape like Flitwick started the class by taking the roll call and like Flitwick he paused at Harrys name .Ah yes he said softly Harry Potter .Our new celebrity .Draco Malfoy and his friends Crabbe and Goyle sniggered behind their hands .Snape finished calling the names and looked up at the class .His eyes were black like Hagrid s but they had none of Hagrid s warmth .They were cold and empty and made you think of dark tunnels .You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potionmaking he began .He spoke in barely more than a whisper but they caught every word like Professor McGonagall Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort .As there is little foolish wand waving here many of you will hardly believe this is magic .I dont expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins bewitching the mind ensnaring the senses .I can teach you how to bottle fame brew glory even stopper death if you arent as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach .More silence followed this little speech .Harry and Ron exchanged looks with raised eyebrows .Hermione Granger was on the edge of her seat and looked desperate to start proving that she wasnt a dunderhead .Potter !said Snape suddenly .What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood ?Powdered root of what to an infusion of what ?Harry glanced at Ron who looked as stumped as he was Hermione s hand had shot into the air .I dont know sir said Harry .Snape s lips curled into a sneer .Tut tut fame clearly isnt everything .He ignored Hermione s hand .Lets try again .Potter where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar ?Hermione stretched her hand as high into the air as it would go without her leaving her seat but Harry didnt have the faintest idea what a bezoar was .He tried not to look at Malfoy Crabbe and Goyle who were shaking with laughter .I dont know sir .Thought you wouldnt open a book before coming eh Potter ?Harry forced himself to keep looking straight into those cold eyes .He had looked through his books at the Dursleys but did Snape expect him to remember everything in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi ?Snape was still ignoring Hermiones quivering hand .What is the difference Potter between monkshood and wolfsbane ?At this Hermione stood up her hand stretching toward the dungeon ceiling .I dont know said Harry quietly .I think Hermione does though why dont you try her ?A few people laughed Harry caught Seamuss eye and Seamus winked .Snape however was not pleased .Sit down he snapped at Hermione .For your information Potter asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death .A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons .As for monkshood and wolfsbane they are the same plant which also goes by the name of aconite .Well ?Why arent you all copying that down ?There was a sudden rummaging for quills and parchment .Over the noise Snape said And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek Potter .Things didnt improve for the Gryffindors as the Potions lesson continued .Snape put them all into pairs and set them to mixing up a simple potion to cure boils .He swept around in his long black cloak watching them weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs criticizing almost everyone except Malfoy whom he seemed to like .He was just telling everyone to look at the perfect way Malfoy had stewed his horned slugs when clouds of acid green smoke and a loud hissing filled the dungeon .Neville had somehow managed to melt Seamuss cauldron into a twisted blob and their potion was seeping across the stone floor burning holes in peoples shoes .Within seconds the whole class was standing on their stools while Neville who had been drenched in the potion when the cauldron collapsed moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms and legs .Idiot boy !snarled Snape clearing the spilled potion away with one wave of his wand .I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire ?Neville whimpered as boils started to pop up all over his nose .Take him up to the hospital wing Snape spat at Seamus .Then he rounded on Harry and Ron who had been working next to Neville .You Potter why didnt you tell him not to add the quills ?Thought hed make you look good if he got it wrong did you ?Thats another point youve lost for Gryffindor .This was so unfair that Harry opened his mouth to argue but Ron kicked him behind their cauldron .Dont push it he muttered Ive heard Snape can turn very nasty .As they climbed the steps out of the dungeon an hour later Harrys mind was racing and his spirits were low .Hed lost two points for Gryffindor in his very first week why did Snape hate him so much ?Cheer up said Ron Snapes always taking points off Fred and George .Can I come and meet Hagrid with you ?At five to three they left the castle and made their way across the grounds .Hagrid lived in a small wooden house on the edge of the forbidden forest .A crossbow and a pair of galoshes were outside the front door .When Harry knocked they heard a frantic scrabbling from inside and several booming barks .Then Hagrid s voice rang out saying Back Fang back .Hagrid s big hairy face appeared in the crack as he pulled the door open .Hang on he said .Back Fang .He let them in struggling to keep a hold on the collar of an enormous black boarhound .There was only one room inside .Hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling a copper kettle was boiling on the open fire and in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it .Make yerselves at home said Hagrid letting go of Fang who bounded straight at Ron and started licking his ears .Like Hagrid Fang was clearly not as fierce as he looked .This is Ron Harry told Hagrid who was pouring boiling water into a large teapot and putting rock cakes onto a plate .Another Weasley eh ?said Hagrid glancing at Rons freckles .I spent half me life chasin yer twin brothers away from the forest .The rock cakes were shapeless lumps with raisins that almost broke their teeth but Harry and Ron pretended to be enjoying them as they told Hagrid all about their first lessons .Fang rested his head on Harrys knee and drooled all over his robes .Harry and Ron were delighted to hear Hagrid call Filch that old git .An as fer that cat Mrs Norris Id like ter introduce her to Fang sometime .Dyeh know every time I go up ter the school she follows me everywhere ?Cant get rid of her Filch puts her up to it .Harry told Hagrid about Snapes lesson .Hagrid like Ron told Harry not to worry about it that Snape liked hardly any of the students .But he seemed to really hate me .Rubbish !said Hagrid .Why should he ?Yet Harry couldnt help thinking that Hagrid didnt quite meet his eyes when he said that .Hows yer brother Charlie ?Hagrid asked Ron .I liked him a lot great with animals .Harry wondered if Hagrid had changed the subject on purpose .While Ron told Hagrid all about Charlies work with dragons Harry picked up a piece of paper that was lying on the table under the tea cozy .It was a cutting from the Daily Prophet GRINGOTTS BREAKIN LATEST Investigations continue into the breakin at Gringotts on 3 1 July widely believed to be the work of Dark wizards or witches unknown .Gringotts goblins today insisted that nothing had been taken .The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied the same day .But were not telling you what was in there so keep your noses out if you know whats good for you said a Gringotts spokesgoblin this afternoon .Harry remembered Ron telling him on the train that someone had tried to rob Gringotts but Ron hadnt mentioned the date .Hagrid !said Harry that Gringotts breakin happened on my birthday !It mightve been happening while we were there !There was no doubt about it Hagrid definitely didnt meet Harrys eyes this time .He grunted and offered him another rock cake .Harry read the story again .The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied earlier that same day .Hagrid had emptied vault seven hundred and thirteen if you could call it emptying taking out that grubby little package .Had that been what the thieves were looking for ?As Harry and Ron walked back to the castle for dinner their pockets weighed down with rock cakes theyd been too polite to refuse Harry thought that none of the lessons hed had so far had given him as much to think about as tea with Hagrid .Had Hagrid collected that package just in time ?Where was it now ?And did Hagrid know something about Snape that he didnt want to tell Harry ?9 THE MIDNIGHT DUEL Harry had never believed he would meet a boy he hated more than Dudley but that was before he met Draco Malfoy .Still firstyear Gryffindors only had Potions with the Slytherins so they didnt have to put up with Malfoy much .Or at least they didnt until they spotted a notice pinned up in the Gryffindor common room that made them all groan .Flying lessons would be starting on Thursday and Gryffindor and Slytherin would be learning together .Typical said Harry darkly .Just what I always wanted .To make a fool of myself on a broomstick in front of Malfoy .He had been looking forward to learning to fly more than anything else .You dont know that youll make a fool of yourself said Ron reasonably .Anyway I know Malfoys always going on about how good he is at Quidditch but I bet thats all talk .Malfoy certainly did talk about flying a lot .He complained loudly about first years never getting on the House Quidditch teams and told long boastful stories that always seemed to end with him narrowly escaping Muggles in helicopters .He wasnt the only one though the way Seamus Finnigan told it hed spent most of his childhood zooming around the countryside on his broomstick .Even Ron would tell anyone whod listen about the time hed almost hit a hang glider on Charlies old broom .Everyone from wizarding families talked about Quidditch constantly .Ron had already had a big argument with Dean Thomas who shared their dormitory about soccer .Ron couldnt see what was exciting about a game with only one ball where no one was allowed to fly .Harry had caught Ron prodding Deans poster of West Ham soccer team trying to make the players move .Neville had never been on a broomstick in his life because his grandmother had never let him near one .Privately Harry felt shed had good reason because Neville managed to have an extraordinary number of accidents even with both feet on the ground .Hermione Granger was almost as nervous about flying as Neville was .This was something you couldnt learn by heart out of a book not that she hadnt tried .At breakfast on Thursday she bored them all stupid with flying tips shed gotten out of a library book called Quidditch Through the Ages .Neville was hanging on to her every word desperate for anything that might help him hang on to his broomstick later but everybody else was very pleased when Hermione s lecture was interrupted by the arrival of the mail .Harry hadnt had a single letter since Hagrids note something that Malfoy had been quick to notice of course .Malfoy s eagle owl was always bringing him packages of sweets from home which he opened gloatingly at the Slytherin table .A barn owl brought Neville a small package from his grandmother .He opened it excitedly and showed them a glass ball the size of a large marble which seemed to be full of white smoke .Its a Remembrall !he explained .Gran knows I forget things this tells you if theres something youve forgotten to do .Look you hold it tight like this and if it turns red oh .His face fell because the Remembrall had suddenly glowed scarlet .youve forgotten something .Neville was trying to remember what hed forgotten when Draco Malfoy who was passing the Gryffindor table snatched the Remembrall out of his hand .Harry and Ron jumped to their feet .They were half hoping for a reason to fight Malfoy but Professor McGonagall who could spot trouble quicker than any teacher in the school was there in a flash .Whats going on ?Malfoys got my Remembrall Professor .Scowling Malfoy quickly dropped the Remembrall back on the table .Just looking he said and he sloped away with Crabbe and Goyle behind him .At threethirty that afternoon Harry Ron and the other Gryffindors hurried down the front steps onto the grounds for their first flying lesson .It was a clear breezy day and the grass rippled under their feet as they marched down the sloping lawns toward a smooth flat lawn on the opposite side of the grounds to the forbidden forest whose trees were swaying darkly in the distance .The Slytherins were already there and so were twenty broomsticks lying in neat lines on the ground .Harry had heard Fred and George Weasley complain about the school brooms saying that some of them started to vibrate if you flew too high or always flew slightly to the left .Their teacher Madam Hooch arrived .She had short gray hair and yellow eyes like a hawk .Well what are you all waiting for ?she barked .Everyone stand by a broomstick .Come on hurry up .Harry glanced down at his broom .It was old and some of the twigs stuck out at odd angles .Stick out your right hand over your broom called Madam Hooch at the front and say ‘Up !UP !everyone shouted .Harrys broom jumped into his hand at once but it was one of the few that did .Hermione Grangers had simply rolled over on the ground and Nevilles hadnt moved at all .Perhaps brooms like horses could tell when you were afraid thought Harry there was a quaver in Nevilles voice that said only too clearly that he wanted to keep his feet on the ground .Madam Hooch then showed them how to mount their brooms without sliding off the end and walked up and down the rows correcting their grips .Harry and Ron were delighted when she told Malfoy hed been doing it wrong for years .Now when I blow my whistle you kick off from the ground hard said Madam Hooch .Keep your brooms steady rise a few feet and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly .On my whistle three two But Neville nervous and jumpy and frightened of being left on the ground pushed off hard before the whistle had touched Madam Hoochs lips .Come back boy !she shouted but Neville was rising straight up like a cork shot out of a bottle twelve feet twenty feet .Harry saw his scared white face look down at the ground falling away saw him gasp slip sideways off the broom and WHAM a thud and a nasty crack and Neville lay facedown on the grass in a heap .His broomstick was still rising higher and higher and started to drift lazily toward the forbidden forest and out of sight .Madam Hooch was bending over Neville her face as white as his .Broken wrist Harry heard her mutter .Come on boy its all right up you get .She turned to the rest of the class .None of you is to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing !You leave those brooms where they are or youll be out of Hogwarts before you can say ‘Quidditch .Come on dear .Neville his face tearstreaked clutching his wrist hobbled off with Madam Hooch who had her arm around him .No sooner were they out of earshot than Malfoy burst into laughter .Did you see his face the great lump ?The other Slytherins joined in .Shut up Malfoy snapped Parvati Patil .Ooh sticking up for Longbottom ?said Pansy Parkinson a hardfaced Slytherin girl .Never thought youd like fat little crybabies Parvati .Look !said Malfoy darting forward and snatching something out of the grass .Its that stupid thing Longbottoms gran sent him .The Remembrall glittered in the sun as he held it up .Give that here Malfoy said Harry quietly .Everyone stopped talking to watch .Malfoy smiled nastily .I think Ill leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find how about up a tree ?Give it here !Harry yelled but Malfoy had leapt onto his broomstick and taken off .He hadnt been lying he could fly well .Hovering level with the topmost branches of an oak he called Come and get it Potter !Harry grabbed his broom .iVo !shouted Hermione Granger .Madam Hooch told us not to move youll get us all into trouble .Harry ignored her .Blood was pounding in his ears .He mounted the broom and kicked hard against the ground and up up he soared air rushed through his hair and his robes whipped out behind him and in a rush of fierce joy he realized hed found something he could do without being taught this was easy this was wonderful .He pulled his broomstick up a little to take it even higher and heard screams and gasps of girls back on the ground and an admiring whoop from Ron .He turned his broomstick sharply to face Malfoy in midair .Malfoy looked stunned .Give it here Harry called or Ill knock you off that broom !Oh yeah ?said Malfoy trying to sneer but looking worried .Harry knew somehow what to do .He leaned forward and grasped the broom tightly in both hands and it shot toward Malfoy like a javelin .Malfoy only just got out of the way in time Harry made a sharp about face and held the broom steady .A few people below were clapping .No Crabbe and Goyle up here to save your neck Malfoy Harry called .The same thought seemed to have struck Malfoy .Catch it if you can then !he shouted and he threw the glass ball high into the air and streaked back toward the ground .Harry saw as though in slow motion the ball rise up in the air and then start to fall .He leaned forward and pointed his broom handle down next second he was gathering speed in a steep dive racing the ball wind whistled in his ears mingled with the screams of people watching he stretched out his hand a foot from the ground he caught it just in time to pull his broom straight and he toppled gently onto the grass with the Remembrall clutched safely in his fist .HARRY POTTER !His heart sank faster than hed just dived .Professor McGonagall was running toward them .He got to his feet trembling .Never in all my time at Hogwarts Professor McGonagall was almost speechless with shock and her glasses flashed furiously how dare you might have broken your neck It wasnt his fault Professor Be quiet Miss Patil But Malfoy Thats enough Mr Weasley .Potter follow me now .Harry caught sight of Malfoy Crabbe and Goyles triumphant faces as he left walking numbly in Professor McGonagalls wake as she strode toward the castle .He was going to be expelled he just knew it .He wanted to say something to defend himself but there seemed to be something wrong with his voice .Professor McGonagall was sweeping along without even looking at him he had to jog to keep up .Now hed done it .He hadnt even lasted two weeks .Hed be packing his bags in ten minutes .What would the Dursleys say when he turned up on the doorstep ?Up the front steps up the marble staircase inside and still Professor McGonagall didnt say a word to him .She wrenched open doors and marched along corridors with Harry trotting miserably behind her .Maybe she was taking him to Dumbledore .He thought of Hagrid expelled but allowed to stay on as gamekeeper .Perhaps he could be Hagrids assistant .His stomach twisted as he imagined it watching Ron and the others becoming wizards while he stumped around the grounds carrying Hagrids bag .Professor McGonagall stopped outside a classroom .She opened the door and poked her head inside .Excuse me Professor Flitwick could I borrow Wood for a moment ?Wood ?thought Harry bewildered was Wood a cane she was going to use on him ?But Wood turned out to be a person a burly fifthyear boy who came out of Flitwicks class looking confused .Follow me you two said Professor McGonagall and they marched on up the corridor Wood looking curiously at Harry .In here .Professor McGonagall pointed them into a classroom that was empty except for Peeves who was busy writing rude words on the blackboard .Out Peeves !she barked .Peeves threw the chalk into a bin which clanged loudly and he swooped out cursing .Professor McGonagall slammed the door behind him and turned to face the two boys .Potter this is Oliver Wood .Wood Ive found you a Seeker .Woods expression changed from puzzlement to delight .Are you serious Professor ?Absolutely said Professor McGonagall crisply .The boys a natural .Ive never seen anything like it .Was that your first time on a broomstick Potter ?Harry nodded silently .He didnt have a clue what was going on but he didnt seem to be being expelled and some of the feeling started coming back to his legs .He caught that thing in his hand after a fiftyfoot dive Professor McGonagall told Wood .Didnt even scratch himself .Charlie Weasley couldnt have done it .Wood was now looking as though all his dreams had come true at once .Ever seen a game of Quidditch Potter ?he asked excitedly .Woods captain of the Gryffindor team Professor McGonagall explained .Hes just the build for a Seeker too said Wood now walking around Harry and staring at him .Light speedy well have to get him a decent broom Professor a Nimbus Two Thousand or a Cleansweep Seven Id say .I shall speak to Professor Dumbledore and see if we cant bend the firstyear rule .Heaven knows we need a better team than last year .Flattened in that last match by Slytherin I couldnt look Severus Snape in the face for weeks .Professor McGonagall peered sternly over her glasses at Harry .I want to hear youre training hard Potter or I may change my mind about punishing you .Then she suddenly smiled .Your father would have been proud she said .He was an excellent Quidditch player himself .Youre joking .It was dinnertime .Harry had just finished telling Ron what had happened when hed left the grounds with Professor McGonagall .Ron had a piece of steak and kidney pie halfway to his mouth but hed forgotten all about it .Seeker ?he said .But first years never you must be the youngest House player in about a century said Harry shoveling pie into his mouth .He felt particularly hungry after the excitement of the afternoon .Wood told me .Ron was so amazed so impressed he just sat and gaped at Harry .I start training next week said Harry .Only dont tell anyone Wood wants to keep it a secret .Fred and George Weasley now came into the hall spotted Harry and hurried over .Well done said George in a low voice .Wood told us .Were on the team too Beaters .I tell you were going to win that Quidditch Cup for sure this year said Fred .We havent won since Charlie left but this years team is going to be brilliant .You must be good Harry Wood was almost skipping when he told us .Anyway weve got to go Lee Jordan reckons hes found a new secret passageway out of the school .Bet its that one behind the statue of Gregory the Smarmy that we found in our first week .See you .Fred and George had hardly disappeared when someone far less welcome turned up Malfoy flanked by Crabbe and Goyle .Having a last meal Potter ?When are you getting the train back to the Muggles ?Youre a lot braver now that youre back on the ground and youve got your little friends with you said Harry coolly .There was of course nothing at all little about Crabbe and Goyle but as the High Table was full of teachers neither of them could do more than crack their knuckles and scowl .Id take you on anytime on my own said Malfoy .Tonight if you want .Wizards duel .Wands only no contact .Whats the matter ?Never heard of a wizards duel before I suppose ?Of course he has said Ron wheeling around .Im his second whos yours ?Malfoy looked at Crabbe and Goyle sizing them up .Crabbe he said .Midnight all right ?Well meet you in the trophy room thats always unlocked .When Malfoy had gone Ron and Harry looked at each other .What is a wizards duel ?said Harry .And what do you mean youre my second ?Well a seconds there to take over if you die said Ron casually getting started at last on his cold pie .Catching the look on Harrys face he added quickly But people only die in proper duels you know with real wizards .The most you and Malfoyll be able to do is send sparks at each other .Neither of you knows enough magic to do any real damage .I bet he expected you to refuse anyway .And what if I wave my wand and nothing happens ?Throw it away and punch him on the nose Ron suggested .Excuse me .They both looked up .It was Hermione Granger .Cant a person eat in peace in this place ?said Ron .Hermione ignored him and spoke to Harry .I couldnt help overhearing what you and Malfoy were saying Bet you could Ron muttered .and you mustnt go wandering around the school at night think of the points youll lose Gryffindor if youre caught and youre bound to be .Its really very selfish of you .And its really none of your business said Harry .Goodbye said Ron .All the same it wasnt what youd call the perfect end to the day Harry thought as he lay awake much later listening to Dean and Seamus falling asleep Neville wasnt back from the hospital wing .Ron had spent all evening giving him advice such as If he tries to curse you youd better dodge it because I cant remember how to block them .There was a very good chance they were going to get caught by Filch or Mrs Norris and Harry felt he was pushing his luck breaking another school rule today .On the other hand Malfoys sneering face kept looming up out of the darkness this was his big chance to beat Malfoy facetoface .He couldnt miss it .Halfpast eleven Ron muttered at last wed better go .They pulled on their bathrobes picked up their wands and crept across the tower room down the spiral staircase and into the Gryffindor common room .A few embers were still glowing in the fireplace turning all the armchairs into hunched black shadows .They had almost reached the portrait hole when a voice spoke from the chair nearest them I cant believe youre going to do this Harry .A lamp flickered on .It was Hermione Granger wearing a pink bathrobe and a frown .You !said Ron furiously .Go back to bed !I almost told your brother Hermione snapped Percy hes a prefect hed put a stop to this .Harry couldnt believe anyone could be so interfering .Come on he said to Ron .He pushed open the portrait of the Fat Lady and climbed through the hole .Hermione wasnt going to give up that easily .She followed Ron through the portrait hole hissing at them like an angry goose .Dont you care about Gryffindor do you only care about yourselves dont want Slytherin to win the House Cup and youll lose all the points I got from Professor McGonagall for knowing about Switching Spells .Go away .All right but I warned you you just remember what I said when youre on the train home tomorrow youre so But what they were they didnt find out .Hermione had turned to the portrait of the Fat Lady to get back inside and found herself facing an empty painting .The Fat Lady had gone on a nighttime visit and Hermione was locked out of Gryffindor Tower .Now what am I going to do ?she asked shrilly .Thats your problem said Ron .Weve got to go were going to be late .They hadnt even reached the end of the corridor when Hermione caught up with them .Im coming with you she said .You are not .Dyou think Im going to stand out here and wait for Filch to catch me ?If he finds all three of us Ill tell him the truth that I was trying to stop you and you can back me up .Youve got some nerve said Ron loudly .Shut up both of you !said Harry sharply .I heard something .It was a sort of snuffling .Mrs Norris ?breathed Ron squinting through the dark .It wasnt Mrs Norris .It was Neville .He was curled up on the floor fast asleep but jerked suddenly awake as they crept nearer .Thank goodness you found me !Ive been out here for hours I couldnt remember the new password to get in to bed .Keep your voice down Neville .The passwords ‘Pig snout but it wont help you now the Fat Ladys gone off somewhere .Hows your arm ?said Harry .Fine said Neville showing them .Madam Pomfrey mended it in about a minute .Good well look Neville weve got to be somewhere well see you later Dont leave me !said Neville scrambling to his feet I dont want to stay here alone the Bloody Barons been past twice already .Ron looked at his watch and then glared furiously at Hermione and Neville .If either of you get us caught Ill never rest until Ive learned that Curse of the Bogies Quirrell told us about and used it on you .Hermione opened her mouth perhaps to tell Ron exactly how to use the Curse of the Bogies but Harry hissed at her to be quiet and beckoned them all forward .They flitted along corridors striped with bars of moonlight from the high windows .At every turn Harry expected to run into Filch or Mrs Norris but they were lucky .They sped up a staircase to the third floor and tiptoed toward the trophy room .Malfoy and Crabbe werent there yet .The crystal trophy cases glimmered where the moonlight caught them .Cups shields plates and statues winked silver and gold in the darkness .They edged along the walls keeping their eyes on the doors at either end of the room .Harry took out his wand in case Malfoy leapt in and started at once .The minutes crept by .Hes late maybe hes chickened out Ron whispered .Then a noise in the next room made them jump .Harry had only just raised his wand when they heard someone speak and it wasnt Malfoy .Sniff around my sweet they might be lurking in a corner .It was Filch speaking to Mrs Norris .Horrorstruck Harry waved madly at the other three to follow him as quickly as possible they scurried silently toward the door away from Filchs voice .Nevilles robes had barely whipped round the corner when they heard Filch enter the trophy room .Theyre in here somewhere they heard him mutter probably hiding .This way !Harry mouthed to the others and petrified they began to creep down a long gallery full of suits of armor .They could hear Filch getting nearer .Neville suddenly let out a frightened squeak and broke into a run he tripped grabbed Ron around the waist and the pair of them toppled right into a suit of armor .The clanging and crashing were enough to wake the whole castle .RUN !Harry yelled and the four of them sprinted down the gallery not looking back to see whether Filch was following they swung around the doorpost and galloped down one corridor then another Harry in the lead without any idea where they were or where they were going they ripped through a tapestry and found themselves in a hidden passageway hurtled along it and came out near their Charms classroom which they knew was miles from the trophy room .I think weve lost him Harry panted leaning against the cold wall and wiping his forehead .Neville was bent double wheezing and spluttering .I told you Hermione gasped clutching at the stitch in her chest I told you .Weve got to get back to Gryffindor Tower said Ron quickly as possible .Malfoy tricked you Hermione said to Harry .You realize that dont you ?He was never going to meet you Filch knew someone was going to be in the trophy room Malfoy must have tipped him off .Harry thought she was probably right but he wasnt going to tell her that .Lets go .It wasnt going to be that simple .They hadnt gone more than a dozen paces when a doorknob rattled and something came shooting out of a classroom in front of them .It was Peeves .He caught sight of them and gave a squeal of delight .Shut up Peeves please youll get us thrown out .Peeves cackled .Wandering around at midnight Ickle Firsties ?Tut tut tut .Naughty naughty youll get caughty .Not if you dont give us away Peeves please .Should tell Filch I should said Peeves in a sanity voice but his eyes glittered wickedly .Its for your own good you know .Get out of the way snapped Ron taking a swipe at Peeves this was a big mistake .STUDENTS OUT OF BED !Peeves bellowed STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR !Ducking under Peeves they ran for their lives right to the end of the corridor where they slammed into a door and it was locked .This is it !Ron moaned as they pushed helplessly at the door Were done for !This is the end !They could hear footsteps Filch running as fast as he could toward Peeves s shouts .Oh move over Hermione snarled .She grabbed Harrys wand tapped the lock and whispered Alohomora The lock clicked and the door swung open they piled through it shut it quickly and pressed their ears against it listening .Which way did they go Peeves ?Filch was saying .Quick tell me .Say ‘please .Dont mess with me Peeves now where did they go ?Shant say nothing if you dont say please said Peeves in his annoying singsong voice .All right please .NOTHING !Ha haa !Told you I wouldnt say nothing if you didnt say please !Ha ha !Haa !And they heard the sound of Peeves whooshing away and Filch cursing in rage .He thinks this door is locked Harry whispered .I think well be okay get off Neville !For Neville had been tugging on the sleeve of Harrys bathrobe for the last minute .What ?Harry turned around and saw quite clearly what .For a moment he was sure hed walked into a nightmare this was too much on top of everything that had happened so far .They werent in a room as he had supposed .They were in a corridor .The forbidden corridor on the third floor .And now they knew why it was forbidden .They were looking straight into the eyes of a monstrous dog a dog that filled the whole space between ceiling and floor .It had three heads .Three pairs of rolling mad eyes three noses twitching and quivering in their direction three drooling mouths saliva hanging in slippery ropes from yellowish fangs .It was standing quite still all six eyes staring at them and Harry knew that the only reason they werent already dead was that their sudden appearance had taken it by surprise but it was quickly getting over that there was no mistaking what those thunderous growls meant .Harry groped for the doorknob between Filch and death hed take Filch .They fell backward Harry slammed the door shut and they ran they almost flew back down the corridor .Filch must have hurried off to look for them somewhere else because they didnt see him anywhere but they hardly cared all they wanted to do was put as much space as possible between them and that monster .They didnt stop running until they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady on the seventh floor .Where on earth have you all been ?she asked looking at their bathrobes hanging off their shoulders and their flushed sweaty faces .Never mind that pig snout pig snout panted Harry and the portrait swung forward .They scrambled into the common room and collapsed trembling into armchairs .It was a while before any of them said anything .Neville indeed looked as if hed never speak again .What do they think theyre doing keeping a thing like that locked up in a school ?said Ron finally .If any dog needs exercise that one does .Hermione had got both her breath and her bad temper back again .You dont use your eyes any of you do you ?she snapped .Didnt you see what it was standing on ?The floor ?Harry suggested .I wasnt looking at its feet I was too busy with its heads .No not the floor .It was standing on a trapdoor .Its obviously guarding something .She stood up glaring at them .I hope youre pleased with yourselves .We could all have been killed or worse expelled .Now if you dont mind Im going to bed .Ron stared after her his mouth open .No we dont mind he said .Youd think we dragged her along wouldnt you ?But Hermione had given Harry something else to think about as he climbed back into bed .The dog was guarding something .What had Hagrid said ?Gringotts was the safest place in the world for something you wanted to hide except perhaps Hogwarts .It looked as though Harry had found out where the grubby little package from vault seven hundred and thirteen was .10 HALLOWEEN Malfoy couldnt believe his eyes when he saw that Harry and Ron were still at Hogwarts the next day looking tired but perfectly cheerful .Indeed by the next morning Harry and Ron thought that meeting the threeheaded dog had been an excellent adventure and they were quite keen to have another one .In the meantime Harry filled Ron in about the package that seemed to have been moved from Gringotts to Hogwarts and they spent a lot of time wondering what could possibly need such heavy protection .Its either really valuable or really dangerous said Ron .Or both said Harry .But as all they knew for sure about the mysterious object was that it was about two inches long they didnt have much chance of guessing what it was without further clues .Neither Neville nor Hermione showed the slightest interest in what lay underneath the dog and the trapdoor .All Neville cared about was never going near the dog again .Hermione was now refusing to speak to Harry and Ron but she was such a bossy knowitall that they saw this as an added bonus .All they really wanted now was a way of getting back at Malfoy and to their great delight just such a thing arrived in the mail about a week later .As the owls flooded into the Great Hall as usual everyones attention was caught at once by a long thin package carried by six large screech owls .Harry was just as interested as everyone else to see what was in this large parcel and was amazed when the owls soared down and dropped it right in front of him knocking his bacon to the floor .They had hardly fluttered out of the way when another owl dropped a letter on top of the parcel .Harry ripped open the letter first which was lucky because it said DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE .It contains your new Nimbus Two Thousand but I dont want everybody knowing youve got a broomstick or theyll all want one .Oliver Wood will meet you tonight on the Quidditch field at seven oclock for your first training session .Professor M .McGonagall Harry had difficulty hiding his glee as he handed the note to Ron to read .A Nimbus Two Thousand !Ron moaned enviously .Ive never even touched one .They left the hall quickly wanting to unwrap the broomstick in private before their first class but halfway across the entrance hall they found the way upstairs barred by Crabbe and Goyle .Malfoy seized the package from Harry and felt it .Thats a broomstick he said throwing it back to Harry with a mixture of jealousy and spite on his face .Youll be in for it this time Potter first years arent allowed them .Ron couldnt resist it .Its not any old broomstick he said its a Nimbus Two Thousand .What did you say youve got at home Malfoy a Comet Two Sixty ?Ron grinned at Harry .Comets look flashy but theyre not in the same league as the Nimbus .What would you know about it Weasley you couldnt afford half the handle Malfoy snapped back .I suppose you and your brothers have to save up twig by twig .Before Ron could answer Professor Flitwick appeared at Malfoys elbow .Not arguing I hope boys ?he squeaked .Potters been sent a broomstick Professor said Malfoy quickly .Yes yes thats right said Professor Flitwick beaming at Harry .Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances Potter .And what model is it ?A Nimbus Two Thousand sir said Harry fighting not to laugh at the look of horror on Malfoys face .And its really thanks to Malfoy here that Ive got it he added .Harry and Ron headed upstairs smothering their laughter at Malfoys obvious rage and confusion .Well its true Harry chortled as they reached the top of the marble staircase If he hadnt stolen Nevilles Remembrall I wouldnt be on the team .So I suppose you think thats a reward for breaking rules ?came an angry voice from just behind them .Hermione was stomping up the stairs looking disapprovingly at the package in Harrys hand .I thought you werent speaking to us ?said Harry .Yes dont stop now said Ron its doing us so much good .Hermione marched away with her nose in the air .Harry had a lot of trouble keeping his mind on his lessons that day .It kept wandering up to the dormitory where his new broomstick was lying under his bed or straying off to the Quidditch field where hed be learning to play that night .He bolted his dinner that evening without noticing what he was eating and then rushed upstairs with Ron to unwrap the Nimbus Two Thousand at last .Wow Ron sighed as the broomstick rolled onto Harrys bedspread .Even Harry who knew nothing about the different brooms thought it looked wonderful .Sleek and shiny with a mahogany handle it had a long tail of neat straight twigs and Nimbus Two Thousand written in gold near the top .As seven oclock drew nearer Harry left the castle and set off in the dusk toward the Quidditch field .Hed never been inside the stadium before .Hundreds of seats were raised in stands around the field so that the spectators were high enough to see what was going on .At either end of the field were three golden poles with hoops on the end .They reminded Harry of the little plastic sticks Muggle children blew bubbles through except that they were fifty feet high .Too eager to fly again to wait for Wood Harry mounted his broomstick and kicked off from the ground .What a feeling he swooped in and out of the goal posts and then sped up and down the field .The Nimbus Two Thousand turned wherever he wanted at his lightest touch .Hey Potter come down !Oliver Wood had arrived .He was carrying a large wooden crate under his arm .Harry landed next to him .Very nice said Wood his eyes glinting .I see what McGonagall meant .you really are a natural .Im just going to teach you the rules this evening then youll be joining team practice three times a week .He opened the crate .Inside were four differentsized balls .Right said Wood .Now Quidditch is easy enough to understand even if its not too easy to play .There are seven players on each side .Three of them are called Chasers .Three Chasers Harry repeated as Wood took out a bright red ball about the size of a soccer ball .This balls called the Quaffle said Wood .The Chasers throw the Quaffle to each other and try and get it through one of the hoops to score a goal .Ten points every time the Quaffle goes through one of the hoops .Follow me ?The Chasers throw the Quaffle and put it through the hoops to score Harry recited .So thats sort of like basketball on broomsticks with six hoops isnt it ?Whats basketball ?said Wood curiously .Never mind said Harry quickly .Now theres another player on each side whos called the Keeper Im Keeper for Gryffindor .I have to fly around our hoops and stop the other team from scoring .Three Chasers one Keeper said Harry who was determined to remember it all .And they play with the Quaffle .Okay got that .So what are they for ?He pointed at the three balls left inside the box .Ill show you now said Wood .Take this .He handed Harry a small club a bit like a short baseball bat .Im going to show you what the Bludgers do Wood said .These two are the Bludgers .He showed Harry two identical balls jet black and slightly smaller than the red Quaffle .Harry noticed that they seemed to be straining to escape the straps holding them inside the box .Stand back Wood warned Harry .He bent down and freed one of the Bludgers .At once the black ball rose high in the air and then pelted straight at Harrys face .Harry swung at it with the bat to stop it from breaking his nose and sent it zigzagging away into the air it zoomed around their heads and then shot at Wood who dived on top of it and managed to pin it to the ground .See ?Wood panted forcing the struggling Bludger back into the crate and strapping it down safely .The Bludgers rocket around trying to knock players off their brooms .Thats why you have two Beaters on each team the Weasley twins are ours its their job to protect their side from the Bludgers and try and knock them toward the other team .So think youve got all that ?Three Chasers try and score with the Quaffle the Keeper guards the goal posts the Beaters keep the Bludgers away from their team Harry reeled off .Very good said Wood .Er have the Bludgers ever killed anyone ?Harry asked hoping he sounded offhand .Never at Hogwarts .Weve had a couple of broken jaws but nothing worse than that .Now the last member of the team is the Seeker .Thats you .And you dont have to worry about the Quaffle or the Bludgers unless they crack my head open .Dont worry the Weasleys are more than a match for the Bludgers I mean theyre like a pair of human Bludgers themselves .Wood reached into the crate and took out the fourth and last ball .Compared with the Quaffle and the Bludgers it was tiny about the size of a large walnut .It was bright gold and had little fluttering silver wings .This said Wood is the Golden Snitch and its the most important ball of the lot .Its very hard to catch because its so fast and difficult to see .Its the Seekers job to catch it .Youve got to weave in and out of the Chasers Beaters Bludgers and Quaffle to get it before the other teams Seeker because whichever Seeker catches the Snitch wins his team an extra hundred and fifty points so they nearly always win .Thats why Seekers get fouled so much .A game of Quidditch only ends when the Snitch is caught so it can go on for ages I think the record is three months they had to keep bringing on substitutes so the players could get some sleep .Well thats it any questions ?Harry shook his head .He understood what he had to do all right it was doing it that was going to be the problem .We wont practice with the Snitch yet said Wood carefully shutting it back inside the crate its too dark we might lose it .Lets try you out with a few of these .He pulled a bag of ordinary golf balls out of his pocket and a few minutes later he and Harry were up in the air Wood throwing the golf balls as hard as he could in every direction for Harry to catch .Harry didnt miss a single one and Wood was delighted .After half an hour night had really fallen and they couldnt carry on .That Quidditch Cupll have our name on it this year said Wood happily as they trudged back up to the castle .I wouldnt be surprised if you turn out better than Charlie Weasley and he could have played for England if he hadnt gone off chasing dragons .Perhaps it was because he was now so busy what with Quidditch practice three evenings a week on top of all his homework but Harry could hardly believe it when he realized that hed already been at Hogwarts two months .The castle felt more like home than Privet Drive ever had .His lessons too were becoming more and more interesting now that they had mastered the basics .On Halloween morning they woke to the delicious smell of baking pumpkin wafting through the corridors .Even better Professor Flitwick announced in Charms that he thought they were ready to start making objects fly something they had all been dying to try since theyd seen him make Nevilles toad zoom around the classroom .Professor Flitwick put the class into pairs to practice .Harrys partner was Seamus Finnigan which was a relief because Neville had been trying to catch his eye .Ron however was to be working with Hermione Granger .It was hard to tell whether Ron or Hermione was angrier about this .She hadnt spoken to either of them since the day Harrys broomstick had arrived .Now dont forget that nice wrist movement weve been practicing !squeaked Professor Flitwick perched on top of his pile of books as usual .Swish and flick remember swish and flick .And saying the magic words properly is very important too never forget Wizard Baruffio who said ‘s instead of ‘f and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest .It was very difficult .Harry and Seamus swished and flicked but the feather they were supposed to be sending skyward just lay on the desktop .Seamus got so impatient that he prodded it with his wand and set fire to it Harry had to put it out with his hat .Ron at the next table wasnt having much more luck .Wingardium Leviosal he shouted waving his long arms like a windmill .Youre saying it wrong Harry heard Hermione snap .Its Winggardium Leviosa make the ‘gar nice and long .You do it then if youre so clever Ron snarled .Hermione rolled up the sleeves of her gown flicked her wand and said Wingardium LeviosaV Their feather rose off the desk and hovered about four feet above their heads .Oh well done !cried Professor Flitwick clapping .Everyone see here Miss Grangers done it !Ron was in a very bad mood by the end of the class .Its no wonder no one can stand her he said to Harry as they pushed their way into the crowded corridor shes a nightmare honestly .Someone knocked into Harry as they hurried past him .It was Hermione .Harry caught a glimpse of her face and was startled to see that she was in tears .I think she heard you .So ?said Ron but he looked a bit uncomfortable .She mustve noticed shes got no friends .Hermione didnt turn up for the next class and wasnt seen all afternoon .On their way down to the Great Hall for the Halloween feast Harry and Ron overheard Parvati Patil telling her friend Lavender that Hermione was crying in the girls bathroom and wanted to be left alone .Ron looked still more awkward at this but a moment later they had entered the Great Hall where the Halloween decorations put Hermione out of their minds .A thousand live bats fluttered from the walls and ceiling while a thousand more swooped over the tables in low black clouds making the candles in the pumpkins stutter .The feast appeared suddenly on the golden plates as it had at the startofterm banquet .Harry was just helping himself to a baked potato when Professor Quirrell came sprinting into the hall his turban askew and terror on his face .Everyone stared as he reached Professor Dumbledores chair slumped against the table and gasped Troll in the dungeons thought you ought to know .He then sank to the floor in a dead faint .There was an uproar .It took several purple firecrackers exploding from the end of Professor Dumbledores wand to bring silence .Prefects he rumbled lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately !Percy was in his element .Follow me !Stick together first years !No need to fear the troll if you follow my orders !Stay close behind me now .Make way first years coming through !Excuse me Im a prefect !How could a troll get in ?Harry asked as they climbed the stairs .Dont ask me theyre supposed to be really stupid said Ron .Maybe Peeves let it in for a Halloween joke .They passed different groups of people hurrying in different directions .As they jostled their way through a crowd of confused Hufflepuffs Harry suddenly grabbed Rons arm .Ive just thought Hermione .What about her ?She doesnt know about the troll .Ron bit his lip .Oh all right he snapped .But Percyd better not see us .Ducking down they joined the Hufflepuffs going the other way slipped down a deserted side corridor and hurried off toward the girls bathroom .They had just turned the corner when they heard quick footsteps behind them .Percy !hissed Ron pulling Harry behind a large stone griffin .Peering around it however they saw not Percy but Snape .He crossed the corridor and disappeared from view .Whats he doing ?Harry whispered .Why isnt he down in the dungeons with the rest of the teachers ?Search me .Quietly as possible they crept along the next corridor after Snape s fading footsteps .Hes heading for the third floor Harry said but Ron held up his hand .Can you smell something ?Harry sniffed and a foul stench reached his nostrils a mixture of old socks and the kind of public toilet no one seems to clean .And then they heard it a low grunting and the shuffling footfalls of gigantic feet .Ron pointed at the end of a passage to the left something huge was moving toward them .They shrank into the shadows and watched as it emerged into a patch of moonlight .It was a horrible sight .Twelve feet tall its skin was a dull granite gray its great lumpy body like a boulder with its small bald head perched on top like a coconut .It had short legs thick as tree trunks with flat horny feet .The smell coming from it was incredible .It was holding a huge wooden club which dragged along the floor because its arms were so long .The troll stopped next to a doorway and peered inside .It waggled its long ears making up its tiny mind then slouched slowly into the room .The keys in the lock Harry muttered .We could lock it in .Good idea said Ron nervously .They edged toward the open door mouths dry praying the troll wasnt about to come out of it .With one great leap Harry managed to grab the key slam the door and lock it .Yes !Flushed with their victory they started to run back up the passage but as they reached the corner they heard something that made their hearts stop a high petrified scream and it was coming from the chamber theyd just chained up .Oh no said Ron pale as the Bloody Baron .Its the girls bathroom !Harry gasped .Hermionel they said together .It was the last thing they wanted to do but what choice did they have ?Wheeling around they sprinted back to the door and turned the key fumbling in their panic .Harry pulled the door open and they ran inside .Hermione Granger was shrinking against the wall opposite looking as if she was about to faint .The troll was advancing on her knocking the sinks off the walls as it went .Confuse it !Harry said desperately to Ron and seizing a tap he threw it as hard as he could against the wall .The troll stopped a few feet from Hermione .It lumbered around blinking stupidly to see what had made the noise .Its mean little eyes saw Harry .It hesitated then made for him instead lifting its club as it went .Oy peabrain !yelled Ron from the other side of the chamber and he threw a metal pipe at it .The troll didnt even seem to notice the pipe hitting its shoulder but it heard the yell and paused again turning its ugly snout toward Ron instead giving Harry time to run around it .Come on run run Harry yelled at Hermione trying to pull her toward the door but she couldnt move she was still flat against the wall her mouth open with terror .The shouting and the echoes seemed to be driving the troll berserk .It roared again and started toward Ron who was nearest and had no way to escape .Harry then did something that was both very brave and very stupid He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the trolls neck from behind .The troll couldnt feel Harry hanging there but even a troll will notice if you stick a long bit of wood up its nose and Harrys wand had still been in his hand when hed jumped it had gone straight up one of the trolls nostrils .Howling with pain the troll twisted and flailed its club with Harry clinging on for dear life any second the troll was going to rip him off or catch him a terrible blow with the club .Hermione had sunk to the floor in fright Ron pulled out his own wand not knowing what he was going to do he heard himself cry the first spell that came into his head Wingardium Leviosal The club flew suddenly out of the trolls hand rose high high up into the air turned slowly over and dropped with a sickening crack onto its owners head .The troll swayed on the spot and then fell flat on its face with a thud that made the whole room tremble .Harry got to his feet .He was shaking and out of breath .Ron was standing there with his wand still raised staring at what he had done .It was Hermione who spoke first .Is it dead ?I dont think so said Harry I think its just been knocked out .He bent down and pulled his wand out of the trolls nose .It was covered in what looked like lumpy gray glue .Urgh troll boogers .He wiped it on the trolls trousers .A sudden slamming and loud footsteps made the three of them look up .They hadnt realized what a racket they had been making but of course someone downstairs must have heard the crashes and the trolls roars .A moment later Professor McGonagall had come bursting into the room closely followed by Snape with Quirrell bringing up the rear .Quirrell took one look at the troll let out a faint whimper and sat quickly down on a toilet clutching his heart .Snape bent over the troll .Professor McGonagall was looking at Ron and Harry .Harry had never seen her look so angry .Her lips were white .Hopes of winning fifty points for Gryffindor faded quickly from Harrys mind .What on earth were you thinking of ?said Professor McGonagall with cold fury in her voice .Harry looked at Ron who was still standing with his wand in the air .Youre lucky you werent killed .Why arent you in your dormitory ?Snape gave Harry a swift piercing look .Harry looked at the floor .He wished Ron would put his wand down .Then a small voice came out of the shadows .Please Professor McGonagall they were looking for me .Miss Granger !Hermione had managed to get to her feet at last .I went looking for the troll because I I thought I could deal with it on my own you know because Ive read all about them .Ron dropped his wand .Hermione Granger telling a downright lie to a teacher ?If they hadnt found me Id be dead now .Harry stuck his wand up its nose and Ron knocked it out with its own club .They didnt have time to come and fetch anyone .It was about to finish me off when they arrived .Harry and Ron tried to look as though this story wasnt new to them .Well in that case .said Professor McGonagall staring at the three of them Miss Granger you foolish girl how could you think of tackling a mountain troll on your own ?Hermione hung her head .Harry was speechless .Hermione was the last person to do anything against the rules and here she was pretending she had to get them out of trouble .It was as if Snape had started handing out sweets .Miss Granger five points will be taken from Gryffindor for this said Professor McGonagall .Im very disappointed in you .If youre not hurt at all youd better get off to Gryffindor Tower .Students are finishing the feast in their Houses .Hermione left .Professor McGonagall turned to Harry and Ron .Well I still say you were lucky but not many first years could have taken on a fullgrown mountain troll .You each win Gryffindor five points .Professor Dumbledore will be informed of this .You may go .They hurried out of the chamber and didnt speak at all until they had climbed two floors up .It was a relief to be away from the smell of the troll quite apart from anything else .We should have gotten more than ten points Ron grumbled .Five you mean once shes taken off Hermione s .Good of her to get us out of trouble like that Ron admitted .Mind you we did save her .She might not have needed saving if we hadnt locked the thing in with her Harry reminded him .They had reached the portrait of the Fat Lady .Pig snout they said and entered .The common room was packed and noisy .Everyone was eating the food that had been sent up .Hermione however stood alone by the door waiting for them .There was a very embarrassed pause .Then none of them looking at each other they all said Thanks and hurried off to get plates .But from that moment on Hermione Granger became their friend .There are some things you cant share without ending up liking each other and knocking out a twelvefoot mountain troll is one of them .QUIDDITCH As they entered November the weather turned very cold .The mountains around the school became icy gray and the lake like chilled steel .Every morning the ground was covered in frost .Hagrid could be seen from the upstairs windows defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat rabbit fur gloves and enormous beaverskin boots .The Quidditch season had begun .On Saturday Harry would be playing in his first match after weeks of training Gryffindor versus Slytherin .If Gryffindor won they would move up into second place in the House Championship .Hardly anyone had seen Harry play because Wood had decided that as their secret weapon Harry should be kept well secret .But the news that he was playing Seeker had leaked out somehow and Harry didnt know which was worse people telling him hed be brilliant or people telling him theyd be running around underneath him holding a mattress .It was really lucky that Harry now had Hermione as a friend .He didnt know how hed have gotten through all his homework without her what with all the last minute Quidditch practice Wood was making them do .She had also lent him Quidditch Through the Ages which turned out to be a very interesting read .Harry learned that there were seven hundred ways of committing a Quidditch foul and that all of them had happened during a World Cup match in 1473 that Seekers were usually the smallest and fastest players and that most serious Quidditch accidents seemed to happen to them that although people rarely died playing Quidditch referees had been known to vanish and turn up months later in the Sahara Desert .Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since Harry and Ron had saved her from the mountain troll and she was much nicer for it .The day before Harrys first Quidditch match the three of them were out in the freezing courtyard during break and she had conjured them up a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar .They were standing with their backs to it getting warm when Snape crossed the yard .Harry noticed at once that Snape was limping .Harry Ron and Hermione moved closer together to block the fire from view they were sure it wouldnt be allowed .Unfortunately something about their guilty faces caught Snapes eye .He limped over .He hadnt seen the fire but he seemed to be looking for a reason to tell them off anyway .Whats that youve got there Potter ?It was Quidditch Through the Ages .Harry showed him .Library books are not to be taken outside the school said Snape .Give it to me .Five points from Gryffindor .Hes just made that rule up Harry muttered angrily as Snape limped away .Wonder whats wrong with his leg ?Dunno but I hope its really hurting him said Ron bitterly .The Gryffindor common room was very noisy that evening .Harry Ron and Hermione sat together next to a window .Hermione was checking Harry and Rons Charms homework for them .She would never let them copy How will you learn ?but by asking her to read it through they got the right answers anyway .Harry felt restless .He wanted Quidditch Through the Ages back to take his mind off his nerves about tomorrow .Why should he be afraid of Snape ?Getting up he told Ron and Hermione he was going to ask Snape if he could have it .Better you than me they said together but Harry had an idea that Snape wouldnt refuse if there were other teachers listening .He made his way down to the staffroom and knocked .There was no answer .He knocked again .Nothing .Perhaps Snape had left the book in there ?It was worth a try .He pushed the door ajar and peered inside and a horrible scene met his eyes .Snape and Filch were inside alone .Snape was holding his robes above his knees .One of his legs was bloody and mangled .Filch was handing Snape bandages .Blasted thing Snape was saying .How are you supposed to keep your eyes on all three heads at once ?Harry tried to shut the door quietly but POTTER !Snape s face was twisted with fury as he dropped his robes quickly to hide his leg .Harry gulped .I just wondered if I could have my book back .GET OUT !OUT !Harry left before Snape could take any more points from Gryffindor .He sprinted back upstairs .Did you get it ?Ron asked as Harry joined them .Whats the matter ?In a low whisper Harry told them what hed seen .You know what this means ?he finished breathlessly .He tried to get past that threeheaded dog at Halloween !Thats where he was going when we saw him hes after whatever its guarding !And Id bet my broomstick he let that troll in to make a diversion !Hermiones eyes were wide .No he wouldnt she said .I know hes not very nice but he wouldnt try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe .Honestly Hermione you think all teachers are saints or something snapped Ron .Im with Harry .I wouldnt put anything past Snape .But whats he after ?Whats that dog guarding ?Harry went to bed with his head buzzing with the same question .Neville was snoring loudly but Harry couldnt sleep .He tried to empty his mind he needed to sleep he had to he had his first Quidditch match in a few hours but the expression on Snapes face when Harry had seen his leg wasnt easy to forget .The next morning dawned very bright and cold .The Great Hall was full of the delicious smell of fried sausages and the cheerful chatter of everyone looking forward to a good Quidditch match .Youve got to eat some breakfast .I dont want anything .Just a bit of toast wheedled Hermione .Im not hungry .Harry felt terrible .In an hours time hed be walking onto the field .Harry you need your strength said Seamus Finnigan .Seekers are always the ones who get clobbered by the other team .Thanks Seamus said Harry watching Seamus pile ketchup on his sausages .By eleven oclock the whole school seemed to be out in the stands around the Quidditch pitch .Many students had binoculars .The seats might be raised high in the air but it was still difficult to see what was going on sometimes .Ron and Hermione joined Neville Seamus and Dean the West Ham fan up in the top row .As a surprise for Harry they had painted a large banner on one of the sheets Scabbers had ruined .It said Potter for President and Dean who was good at drawing had done a large Gryffindor lion underneath .Then Hermione had performed a tricky little charm so that the paint flashed different colors .Meanwhile in the locker room Harry and the rest of the team were changing into their scarlet Quidditch robes Slytherin would be playing in green .Wood cleared his throat for silence .Okay men he said .And women said Chaser Angelina Johnson .And women Wood agreed .This is it .The big one said Fred Weasley .The one weve all been waiting for said George .We know Olivers speech by heart Fred told Harry we were on the team last year .Shut up you two said Wood .This is the best team Gryffindors had in years .Were going to win .I know it .He glared at them all as if to say Or else .Right .Its time .Good luck all of you .Harry followed Fred and George out of the locker room and hoping his knees werent going to give way walked onto the field to loud cheers .Madam Hooch was refereeing .She stood in the middle of the field waiting for the two teams her broom in her hand .Now I want a nice fair game all of you she said once they were all gathered around her .Harry noticed that she seemed to be speaking particularly to the Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint a fifth year .Harry thought Flint looked as if he had some troll blood in him .Out of the corner of his eye he saw the fluttering banner high above flashing Potter for President over the crowd .His heart skipped .He felt braver .Mount your brooms please .Harry clambered onto his Nimbus Two Thousand .Madam Hooch gave a loud blast on her silver whistle .Fifteen brooms rose up high high into the air .They were off .And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor what an excellent Chaser that girl is and rather attractive too JORDAN !Sorry Professor .The Weasley twins friend Lee Jordan was doing the commentary for the match closely watched by Professor McGonagall .And shes really belting along up there a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet a good find of Oliver Woods last year only a reserve back to Johnson and no the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes Flint flying like an eagle up there hes going to sc no stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle thats Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there nice dive around Flint off up the field and OUCH that must have hurt hit in the back of the head by a Bludger Quaffle taken by the Slytherins thats Adrian Pucey speeding off toward the goal posts but hes blocked by a second Bludger sent his way by Fred or George Weasley cant tell which nice play by the Gryffindor Beater anyway and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle a clear field ahead and off she goes shes really flying dodges a speeding Bludger the goal posts are ahead come on now Angelina Keeper Bletchley dives misses GRYFFINDORS SCORE !Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air with howls and moans from the Slytherins .Budge up there move along .Hagrid !Ron and Hermione squeezed together to give Hagrid enough space to join them .Bin watchin from me hut said Hagrid patting a large pair of binoculars around his neck But it isnt the same as bein in the crowd .No sign of the Snitch yet eh ?Nope said Ron .Harry hasnt had much to do yet .Kept outta trouble though thats somethin said Hagrid raising his binoculars and peering skyward at the speck that was Harry .Way up above them Harry was gliding over the game squinting about for some sign of the Snitch .This was part of his and Woods game plan .Keep out of the way until you catch sight of the Snitch Wood had said .We dont want you attacked before you have to be .When Angelina had scored Harry had done a couple of looptheloops to let off his feelings .Now he was back to staring around for the Snitch .Once he caught sight of a flash of gold but it was just a reflection from one of the Weasleys wristwatches and once a Bludger decided to come pelting his way more like a cannonball than anything but Harry dodged it and Fred Weasley came chasing after it .All right there Harry ?he had time to yell as he beat the Bludger furiously toward Marcus Flint .Slytherin in possession Lee Jordan was saying Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers two Weasleys and Chaser Bell and speeds toward the wait a moment was that the Snitch ?A murmur ran through the crowd as Adrian Pucey dropped the Quaffle too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold that had passed his left ear .Harry saw it .In a great rush of excitement he dived downward after the streak of gold .Slytherin Seeker Terence Higgs had seen it too .Neck and neck they hurtled toward the Snitch all the Chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing as they hung in midair to watch .Harry was faster than Higgs he could see the little round ball wings fluttering darting up ahead he put on an extra spurt of speed WHAM !A roar of rage echoed from the Gryffindors below Marcus Flint had blocked Harry on purpose and Harrys broom spun off course Harry holding on for dear life .Foul !screamed the Gryffindors .Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint and then ordered a free shot at the goal posts for Gryffindor .But in all the confusion of course the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again .Down in the stands Dean Thomas was yelling Send him off ref !Red card !What are you talking about Dean ?said Ron .Red card !said Dean furiously .In soccer you get shown the red card and youre out of the game !But this isnt soccer Dean Ron reminded him .Hagrid however was on Deans side .They oughta change the rules .Flint coulda knocked Harry outta the air .Lee Jordan was finding it difficult not to take sides .So after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating Jordan !growled Professor McGonagall .I mean after that open and revolting foul Jordan Im warning you All right all right .Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker which could happen to anyone Im sure so a penalty to Gryffindor taken by Spinnet who puts it away no trouble and we continue play Gryffindor still in possession .It was as Harry dodged another Bludger which went spinning dangerously past his head that it happened .His broom gave a sudden frightening lurch .For a split second he thought he was going to fall .He gripped the broom tightly with both his hands and knees .Hed never felt anything like that .It happened again .It was as though the broom was trying to buck him off .But Nimbus Two Thousands did not suddenly decide to buck their riders off .Harry tried to turn back toward the Gryffindor goal posts he had half a mind to ask Wood to call timeout and then he realized that his broom was completely out of his control .He couldnt turn it .He couldnt direct it at all .It was zigzagging through the air and every now and then making violent swishing movements that almost unseated him .Lee was still commentating .Slytherin in possession Flint with the Quaffle passes Spinnet passes Bell hit hard in the face by a Bludger hope it broke his nose only joking Professor Slytherins score oh no .The Slytherins were cheering .No one seemed to have noticed that Harrys broom was behaving strangely It was carrying him slowly higher away from the game jerking and twitching as it went .Dunno what Harry thinks hes doing Hagrid mumbled .He stared through his binoculars .If I didn know better Id say hed lost control of his broom .but he cant have .Suddenly people were pointing up at Harry all over the stands .His broom had started to roll over and over with him only just managing to hold on .Then the whole crowd gasped .Harrys broom had given a wild jerk and Harry swung off it .He was now dangling from it holding on with only one hand .Did something happen to it when Flint blocked him ?Seamus whispered .Cant have Hagrid said his voice shaking .Cant nothing interfere with a broomstick except powerful Dark magic no kid could do that to a Nimbus Two Thousand .At these words Hermione seized Hagrid s binoculars but instead of looking up at Harry she started looking frantically at the crowd .What are you doing ?moaned Ron grayfaced .I knew it Hermione gasped Snape look .Ron grabbed the binoculars .Snape was in the middle of the stands opposite them .He had his eyes fixed on Harry and was muttering nonstop under his breath .Hes doing something jinxing the broom said Hermione .What should we do ?Leave it to me .Before Ron could say another word Hermione had disappeared .Ron turned the binoculars back on Harry .His broom was vibrating so hard it was almost impossible for him to hang on much longer .The whole crowd was on its feet watching terrified as the Weasleys flew up to try and pull Harry safely onto one of their brooms but it was no good every time they got near him the broom would jump higher still .They dropped lower and circled beneath him obviously hoping to catch him if he fell .Marcus Flint seized the Quaffle and scored five times without anyone noticing .Come on Hermione Ron muttered desperately .Hermione had fought her way across to the stand where Snape stood and was now racing along the row behind him she didnt even stop to say sorry as she knocked Professor Quirrell headfirst into the row in front .Reaching Snape she crouched down pulled out her wand and whispered a few wellchosen words .Bright blue flames shot from her wand onto the hem of Snape s robes .It took perhaps thirty seconds for Snape to realize that he was on fire .A sudden yelp told her she had done her job .Scooping the fire off him into a little jar in her pocket she scrambled back along the row Snape would never know what had happened .It was enough .Up in the air Harry was suddenly able to clamber back on to his broom .Neville you can look !Ron said .Neville had been sobbing into Hagrids jacket for the last five minutes .Harry was speeding toward the ground when the crowd saw him clap his hand to his mouth as though he was about to be sick he hit the field on all fours coughed and something gold fell into his hand .Ive got the Snitch !he shouted waving it above his head and the game ended in complete confusion .He didnt catch it he nearly swallowed it Flint was still howling twenty minutes later but it made no difference Harry hadnt broken any rules and Lee Jordan was still happily shouting the results Gryffindor had won by one hundred and seventy points to sixty .Harry heard none of this though .He was being made a cup of strong tea back in Hagrids hut with Ron and Hermione .It was Snape Ron was explaining Hermione and I saw him .He was cursing your broomstick muttering he wouldnt take his eyes off you .Rubbish said Hagrid who hadnt heard a word of what had gone on next to him in the stands .Why would Snape do somethin like that ?Harry Ron and Hermione looked at one another wondering what to tell him .Harry decided on the truth .I found out something about him he told Hagrid .He tried to get past that threeheaded dog on Halloween .It bit him .We think he was trying to steal whatever its guarding .Hagrid dropped the teapot .How do you know about Fluffy ?he said .Fluffy ?Yeah hes mine bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las year I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the Yes ?said Harry eagerly .Now dont ask me anymore said Hagrid gruffly .Thats top secret that is .But Snapes trying to steal it .Rubbish said Hagrid again .Snapes a Hogwarts teacher hed do nothin of the sort .So why did he just try and kill Harry ?cried Hermione .The afternoons events certainly seemed to have changed her mind about Snape .I know a jinx when I see one Hagrid Ive read all about them !Youve got to keep eye contact and Snape wasnt blinking at all I saw him !Im tellin yeh yer wrong !said Hagrid hotly .I don know why Harrys broom acted like that but Snape wouldn try an kill a student !Now listen to me all three of yeh yer meddlin in things that don concern yeh .Its dangerous .You forget that dog an you forget what its guardin thats between Professor Dumbledore an Nicolas Flamel ■ Aha !said Harry so theres someone called Nicolas Flamel involved is there ?Hagrid looked furious with himself .THE MIRROR OF ERISED Christmas was coming .One morning in mid December Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow .The lake froze solid and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around bouncing off the back of his turban .The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver mail had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again .No one could wait for the holidays to start .While the Gryffindor common room and the Great Hall had roaring fires the drafty corridors had become icy and a bitter wind rattled the windows in the classrooms .Worst of all were Professor Snapes classes down in the dungeons where their breath rose in a mist before them and they kept as close as possible to their hot cauldrons .I do feel so sorry said Draco Malfoy one Potions class for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because theyre not wanted at home .He was looking over at Harry as he spoke .Crabbe and Goyle chuckled .Harry who was measuring out powdered spine of lionfish ignored them .Malfoy had been even more unpleasant than usual since the Quidditch match .Disgusted that the Slytherins had lost he had tried to get everyone laughing at how a widemouthed tree frog would be replacing Harry as Seeker next .Then hed realized that nobody found this funny because they were all so impressed at the way Harry had managed to stay on his bucking broomstick .So Malfoy jealous and angry had gone back to taunting Harry about having no proper family .It was true that Harry wasnt going back to Privet Drive for Christmas .Professor McGonagall had come around the week before making a list of students who would be staying for the holidays and Harry had signed up at once .He didnt feel sorry for himself at all this would probably be the best Christmas hed ever had .Ron and his brothers were staying too because Mr and Mrs Weasley were going to Romania to visit Charlie .When they left the dungeons at the end of Potions they found a large fir tree blocking the corridor ahead .Two enormous feet sticking out at the bottom and a loud puffing sound told them that Hagrid was behind it .Hi Hagrid want any help ?Ron asked sticking his head through the branches .Nah Im all right thanks Ron .Would you mind moving out of the way ?came Malfoys cold drawl from behind them .Are you trying to earn some extra money Weasley ?Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts I suppose that hut of Hagrids must seem like a palace compared to what your familys used to .Ron dived at Malfoy just as Snape came up the stairs .WEASLEY !Ron let go of the front of Malfoys robes .He was provoked Professor Snape said Hagrid sticking his huge hairy face out from behind the tree .Malfoy was insultin his family .Be that as it may fighting is against Hogwarts rules Hagrid said Snape silkily .Five points from Gryffindor Weasley and be grateful it isnt more .Move along all of you .Malfoy Crabbe and Goyle pushed roughly past the tree scattering needles everywhere and smirking .Ill get him said Ron grinding his teeth at Malfoys back one of these days Ill get him I hate them both said Harry Malfoy and Snape .Come on cheer up its nearly Christmas said Hagrid .Tell yeh what come with me an see the Great Hall looks a treat .So the three of them followed Hagrid and his tree off to the Great Hall where Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were busy with the Christmas decorations .Ah Hagrid the last tree put it in the far corner would you ?The hall looked spectacular .Festoons of holly and mistletoe hung all around the walls and no less than twelve towering Christmas trees stood around the room some sparkling with tiny icicles some glittering with hundreds of candles .How many days you got left until yer holidays ?Hagrid asked .Just one said Hermione .And that reminds me Harry Ron weve got half an hour before lunch we should be in the library .Oh yeah youre right said Ron tearing his eyes away from Professor Flitwick who had golden bubbles blossoming out of his wand and was trailing them over the branches of the new tree .The library ?said Hagrid following them out of the hall .Just before the holidays ?Bit keen arent yeh ?Oh were not working Harry told him brightly .Ever since you mentioned Nicolas Flamel weve been trying to find out who he is .You what ?Hagrid looked shocked .Listen here Ive told yeh drop it .Its nothin to you what that dogs guardin .We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is thats all said Hermione .Unless youd like to tell us and save us the trouble ?Harry added .We mustve been through hundreds of books already and we cant find him anywhere just give us a hint I know Ive read his name somewhere .Im sayin nothin said Hagrid flatly .Just have to find out for ourselves then said Ron and they left Hagrid looking disgruntled and hurried off to the library .They had indeed been searching books for Flamels name ever since Hagrid had let it slip because how else were they going to find out what Snape was trying to steal ?The trouble was it was very hard to know where to begin not knowing what Flamel might have done to get himself into a book .He wasnt in Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century or Notable Magical Names of Our Time he was missing too from Important Modern Magical Discoveries and A Study of Recent Developments in Wizardry .And then of course there was the sheer size of the library tens of thousands of books thousands of shelves hundreds of narrow rows .Hermione took out a list of subjects and titles she had decided to search while Ron strode off down a row of books and started pulling them off the shelves at random .Harry wandered over to the Restricted Section .He had been wondering for a while if Flamel wasnt somewhere in there .Unfortunately you needed a specially signed note from one of the teachers to look in any of the restricted books and he knew hed never get one .These were the books containing powerful Dark Magic never taught at Hogwarts and only read by older students studying advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts .What are you looking for boy ?Nothing said Harry .Madam Pince the librarian brandished a feather duster at him .Youd better get out then .Go on out !Wishing hed been a bit quicker at thinking up some story Harry left the library .He Ron and Hermione had already agreed theyd better not ask Madam Pince where they could find Flamel .They were sure shed be able to tell them but they couldnt risk Snape hearing what they were up to .Harry waited outside in the corridor to see if the other two had found anything but he wasnt very hopeful .They had been looking for two weeks after all but as they only had odd moments between lessons it wasnt surprising theyd found nothing .What they really needed was a nice long search without Madam Pince breathing down their necks .Five minutes later Ron and Hermione joined him shaking their heads .They went off to lunch .You will keep looking while Im away wont you ?said Hermione .And send me an owl if you find anything .And you could ask your parents if they know who Flamel is said Ron .Itd be safe to ask them .Very safe as theyre both dentists said Hermione .Once the holidays had started Ron and Harry were having too good a time to think much about Flamel .They had the dormitory to themselves and the common room was far emptier than usual so they were able to get the good armchairs by the fire .They sat by the hour eating anything they could spear on a toasting fork bread English muffins marshmallows and plotting ways of getting Malfoy expelled which were fun to talk about even if they wouldnt work .Ron also started teaching Harry wizard chess .This was exactly like Muggle chess except that the figures were alive which made it a lot like directing troops in battle .Rons set was very old and battered .Like everything else he owned it had once belonged to someone else in his family in this case his grandfather .However old chessmen werent a drawback at all .Ron knew them so well he never had trouble getting them to do what he wanted .Harry played with chessmen Seamus Finnigan had lent him and they didnt trust him at all .He wasnt a very good player yet and they kept shouting different bits of advice at him which was confusing .Dont send me there cant you see his knight ?Send him we can afford to lose him .On Christmas Eve Harry went to bed looking forward to the next day for the food and the fun but not expecting any presents at all .When he woke early in the morning however the first thing he saw was a small pile of packages at the foot of his bed .Merry Christmas said Ron sleepily as Harry scrambled out of bed and pulled on his bathrobe .You too said Harry .Will you look at this ?Ive got some presents !What did you expect turnips ?said Ron turning to his own pile which was a lot bigger than Harrys .Harry picked up the top parcel .It was wrapped in thick brown paper and scrawled across it was To Harry from Hagrid .Inside was a roughly cut wooden flute .Hagrid had obviously whittled it himself .Harry blew it it sounded a bit like an owl .A second very small parcel contained a note .We received your message and enclose your Christmas present .From Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia .Taped to the note was a fiftypence piece .Thats friendly said Harry .Ron was fascinated by the fifty pence .Weird he said What a shape !This is money ?You can keep it said Harry laughing at how pleased Ron was .Hagrid and my aunt and uncle so who sent these ?I think I know who that ones from said Ron turning a bit pink and pointing to a very lumpy parcel .My mom .I told her you didnt expect any presents and oh no he groaned shes made you a Weasley sweater .Harry had torn open the parcel to find a thick hand knitted sweater in emerald green and a large box of homemade fudge .Every year she makes us a sweater said Ron unwrapping his own and mines always maroon .Thats really nice of her said Harry trying the fudge which was very tasty .His next present also contained candy a large box of Chocolate Frogs from Hermione .This only left one parcel .Harry picked it up and felt it .It was very light .He unwrapped it .Something fluid and silvery gray went slithering to the floor where it lay in gleaming folds .Ron gasped .Ive heard of those he said in a hushed voice dropping the box of Every Flavor Beans hed gotten from Hermione .If thats what I think it is theyre really rare and really valuable .What is it ?Harry picked the shining silvery cloth off the floor .It was strange to the touch like water woven into material .Its an Invisibility Cloak said Ron a look of awe on his face .Im sure it is try it on .Harry threw the cloak around his shoulders and Ron gave a yell .It is !Look down !Harry looked down at his feet but they were gone .He dashed to the mirror .Sure enough his reflection looked back at him just his head suspended in midair his body completely invisible .He pulled the cloak over his head and his reflection vanished completely .Theres a note !said Ron suddenly .A note fell out of it !Harry pulled off the cloak and seized the letter .Written in narrow loopy writing he had never seen before were the following words Your father left this in my possession before he died .It is time it was returned to you .Use it well .A Very Merry Christmas to you .There was no signature .Harry stared at the note .Ron was admiring the cloak .Id give anuthinq for one of these he said .Anuthinq .Whats the matter ?Nothing said Harry .He felt very strange .Who had sent the cloak ?Had it really once belonged to his father ?Before he could say or think anything else the dormitory door was flung open and Fred and George Weasley bounded in .Harry stuffed the cloak quickly out of sight .He didnt feel like sharing it with anyone else yet .Merry Christmas !Hey look Harrys got a Weasley sweater too !Fred and George were wearing blue sweaters one with a large yellow F on it the other a G .Harrys is better than ours though said Fred holding up Harrys sweater .She obviously makes more of an effort if youre not family .Why arent you wearing yours Ron ?George demanded .Come on get it on theyre lovely and warm .I hate maroon Ron moaned halfheartedly as he pulled it over his head .You havent got a letter on yours George observed .I suppose she thinks you dont forget your name .But were not stupid we know were called Gred and Forge .Whats all this noise ?Percy Weasley stuck his head through the door looking disapproving .He had clearly gotten halfway through unwrapping his presents as he too carried a lumpy sweater over his arm which Fred seized .P for prefect !Get it on Percy come on were all wearing ours even Harry got one .I dont want said Percy thickly as the twins forced the sweater over his head knocking his glasses askew .And youre not sitting with the prefects today either said George .Christmas is a time for family .They frogmarched Percy from the room his arms pinned to his side by his sweater .Harry had never in all his life had such a Christmas dinner .A hundred fat roast turkeys mountains of roast and boiled potatoes platters of chipolatas tureens of buttered peas silver boats of thick rich gravy and cranberry sauce and stacks of wizard crackers every few feet along the table .These fantastic party favors were nothing like the feeble Muggle ones the Dursleys usually bought with their little plastic toys and their flimsy paper hats inside .Harry pulled a wizard cracker with Fred and it didnt just bang it went off with a blast like a cannon and engulfed them all in a cloud of blue smoke while from the inside exploded a rear admirals hat and several live white mice .Up at the High Table Dumbledore had swapped his pointed wizards hat for a flowered bonnet and was chuckling merrily at a joke Professor Flitwick had just read him .Flaming Christmas puddings followed the turkey .Percy nearly broke his teeth on a silver Sickle embedded in his slice .Harry watched Hagrid getting redder and redder in the face as he called for more wine finally kissing Professor McGonagall on the cheek who to Harrys amazement giggled and blushed her top hat lopsided .When Harry finally left the table he was laden down with a stack of things out of the crackers including a pack of nonexplodable luminous balloons a Grow YourOwnWarts kit and his own new wizard chess set .The white mice had disappeared and Harry had a nasty feeling they were going to end up as Mrs Norriss Christmas dinner .Harry and the Weasleys spent a happy afternoon having a furious snowball fight on the grounds .Then cold wet and gasping for breath they returned to the fire in the Gryffindor common room where Harry broke in his new chess set by losing spectacularly to Ron .He suspected he wouldnt have lost so badly if Percy hadnt tried to help him so much .After a meal of turkey sandwiches crumpets trifle and Christmas cake everyone felt too full and sleepy to do much before bed except sit and watch Percy chase Fred and George all over Gryffindor Tower because theyd stolen his prefect badge .It had been Harrys best Christmas day ever .Yet something had been nagging at the back of his mind all day .Not until he climbed into bed was he free to think about it the Invisibility Cloak and whoever had sent it .Ron full of turkey and cake and with nothing mysterious to bother him fell asleep almost as soon as hed drawn the curtains of his fourposter .Harry leaned over the side of his own bed and pulled the cloak out from under it .His fathers .this had been his fathers .He let the material flow over his hands smoother than silk light as air .Use it well the note had said .He had to try it now .He slipped out of bed and wrapped the cloak around himself .Looking down at his legs he saw only moonlight and shadows .It was a very funny feeling .Use it well .Suddenly Harry felt wideawake .The whole of Hogwarts was open to him in this cloak .Excitement flooded through him as he stood there in the dark and silence .He could go anywhere in this anywhere and Filch would never know .Ron grunted in his sleep .Should Harry wake him ?Something held him back his fathers cloak he felt that this time the first time he wanted to use it alone .He crept out of the dormitory down the stairs across the common room and climbed through the portrait hole .Whos there ?squawked the Fat Lady .Harry said nothing .He walked quickly down the corridor .Where should he go ?He stopped his heart racing and thought .And then it came to him .The Restricted Section in the library .Hed be able to read as long as he liked as long as it took to find out who Flamel was .He set off drawing the Invisibility Cloak tight around him as he walked .The library was pitchblack and very eerie .Harry lit a lamp to see his way along the rows of books .The lamp looked as if it was floating along in midair and even though Harry could feel his arm supporting it the sight gave him the creeps .The Restricted Section was right at the back of the library .Stepping carefully over the rope that separated these books from the rest of the library he held up his lamp to read the titles .They didnt tell him much .Their peeling faded gold letters spelled words in languages Harry couldnt understand .Some had no title at all .One book had a dark stain on it that looked horribly like blood .The hairs on the back of Harrys neck prickled .Maybe he was imagining it maybe not but he thought a faint whispering was coming from the books as though they knew someone was there who shouldnt be .He had to start somewhere .Setting the lamp down carefully on the floor he looked along the bottom shelf for an interestinglooking book .A large black and silver volume caught his eye .He pulled it out with difficulty because it was very heavy and balancing it on his knee let it fall open .A piercing bloodcurdling shriek split the silence the book was screaming !Harry snapped it shut but the shriek went on and on one high unbroken earsplitting note .He stumbled backward and knocked over his lamp which went out at once .Panicking he heard footsteps coming down the corridor outside stuffing the shrieking book back on the shelf he ran for it .He passed Filch in the doorway Filchs pale wild eyes looked straight through him and Harry slipped under Filchs outstretched arm and streaked off up the corridor the books shrieks still ringing in his ears .He came to a sudden halt in front of a tall suit of armor .He had been so busy getting away from the library he hadnt paid attention to where he was going .Perhaps because it was dark he didnt recognize where he was at all .There was a suit of armor near the kitchens he knew but he must be five floors above there .You asked me to come directly to you Professor if anyone was wandering around at night and somebodys been in the library Restricted Section .Harry felt the blood drain out of his face .Wherever he was Filch must know a shortcut because his soft greasy voice was getting nearer and to his horror it was Snape who replied The Restricted Section ?Well they cant be far well catch them .Harry stood rooted to the spot as Filch and Snape came around the corner ahead .They couldnt see him of course but it was a narrow corridor and if they came much nearer theyd knock right into him the cloak didnt stop him from being solid .He backed away as quietly as he could .A door stood ajar to his left .It was his only hope .He squeezed through it holding his breath trying not to move it and to his relief he managed to get inside the room without their noticing anything .They walked straight past and Harry leaned against the wall breathing deeply listening to their footsteps dying away .That had been close very close .It was a few seconds before he noticed anything about the room he had hidden in .It looked like an unused classroom .The dark shapes of desks and chairs were piled against the walls and there was an upturned wastepaper basket but propped against the wall facing him was something that didnt look as if it belonged there something that looked as if someone had just put it there to keep it out of the way .It was a magnificent mirror as high as the ceiling with an ornate gold frame standing on two clawed feet .There was an inscription carved around the top Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi .His panic fading now that there was no sound of Filch and Snape Harry moved nearer to the mirror wanting to look at himself but see no reflection again .He stepped in front of it .He had to clap his hands to his mouth to stop himself from screaming .He whirled around .His heart was pounding far more furiously than when the book had screamed for he had seen not only himself in the mirror but a whole crowd of people standing right behind him .But the room was empty .Breathing very fast he turned slowly back to the mirror .There he was reflected in it white and scared looking and there reflected behind him were at least ten others .Harry looked over his shoulder but still no one was there .Or were they all invisible too ?Was he in fact in a room full of invisible people and this mirrors trick was that it reflected them invisible or not ?He looked in the mirror again .A woman standing right behind his reflection was smiling at him and waving .He reached out a hand and felt the air behind him .If she was really there hed touch her their reflections were so close together but he felt only air she and the others existed only in the mirror .She was a very pretty woman .She had dark red hair and her eyes her eyes are just like mine Harry thought edging a little closer to the glass .Bright green exactly the same shape but then he noticed that she was crying smiling but crying at the same time .The tall thin blackhaired man standing next to her put his arm around her .He wore glasses and his hair was very untidy .It stuck up at the back just as Harrys did .Harry was so close to the mirror now that his nose was nearly touching that of his reflection .Mom ?he whispered .Dad ?They just looked at him smiling .And slowly Harry looked into the faces of the other people in the mirror and saw other pairs of green eyes like his other noses like his even a little old man who looked as though he had Harrys knobbly knees Harry was looking at his family for the first time in his life .The Potters smiled and waved at Harry and he stared hungrily back at them his hands pressed flat against the glass as though he was hoping to fall right through it and reach them .He had a powerful kind of ache inside him half joy half terrible sadness .How long he stood there he didnt know .The reflections did not fade and he looked and looked until a distant noise brought him back to his senses .He couldnt stay here he had to find his way back to bed .He tore his eyes away from his mothers face whispered Ill come back and hurried from the room .You could have woken me up said Ron crossly .You can come tonight Im going back I want to show you the mirror .Id like to see your mom and dad Ron said eagerly .And I want to see all your family all the Weasleys youll be able to show me your other brothers and everyone .You can see them any old time said Ron .Just come round my house this summer .Anyway maybe it only shows dead people .Shame about not finding Flamel though .Have some bacon or something why arent you eating anything ?Harry couldnt eat .He had seen his parents and would be seeing them again tonight .He had almost forgotten about Flamel .It didnt seem very important anymore .Who cared what the threeheaded dog was guarding ?What did it matter if Snape stole it really ?Are you all right ?said Ron .You look odd .What Harry feared most was that he might not be able to find the mirror room again .With Ron covered in the cloak too they had to walk much more slowly the next night .They tried retracing Harrys route from the library wandering around the dark passageways for nearly an hour .Im freezing said Ron .Lets forget it and go back .IVo !Harry hissed .I know its here somewhere .They passed the ghost of a tall witch gliding in the opposite direction but saw no one else .Just as Ron started moaning that his feet were dead with cold Harry spotted the suit of armor .Its here just here yes !They pushed the door open .Harry dropped the cloak from around his shoulders and ran to the mirror .There they were .His mother and father beamed at the sight of him .See ?Harry whispered .I cant see anything .Look !Look at them all .there are loads of them .I can only see you .Look in it properly go on stand where I am .Harry stepped aside but with Ron in front of the mirror he couldnt see his family anymore just Ron in his paisley pajamas .Ron though was staring transfixed at his image .Look at me !he said .Can you see all your family standing around you ?No Im alone but Im different I look older and Im Head Boy !What ?I am Im wearing the badge like Bill used to and Im holding the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup Im Quidditch captain too !Ron tore his eyes away from this splendid sight to look excitedly at Harry .Do you think this mirror shows the future ?How can it ?All my family are dead let me have another look You had it to yourself all last night give me a bit more time .Youre only holding the Quidditch Cup whats interesting about that ?I want to see my parents .Dont push me A sudden noise outside in the corridor put an end to their discussion .They hadnt realized how loudly they had been talking .Quick !Ron threw the cloak back over them as the luminous eyes of Mrs Norris came round the door .Ron and Harry stood quite still both thinking the same thing did the cloak work on cats ?After what seemed an age she turned and left .This isnt safe she might have gone for Filch I bet she heard us .Come on .And Ron pulled Harry out of the room .The snow still hadnt melted the next morning .Want to play chess Harry ?said Ron .No .Why dont we go down and visit Hagrid ?No .you go .I know what youre thinking about Harry that mirror .Dont go back tonight .Why not ?I dunno Ive just got a bad feeling about it and anyway youve had too many close shaves already .Filch Snape and Mrs Norris are wandering around .So what if they cant see you ?What if they walk into you ?What if you knock something over ?You sound like Hermione .Im serious Harry dont go .But Harry only had one thought in his head which was to get back in front of the mirror and Ron wasnt going to stop him .That third night he found his way more quickly than before .He was walking so fast he knew he was making more noise than was wise but he didnt meet anyone .And there were his mother and father smiling at him again and one of his grandfathers nodding happily .Harry sank down to sit on the floor in front of the mirror .There was nothing to stop him from staying here all night with his family .Nothing at all .Except So back again Harry ?Harry felt as though his insides had turned to ice .He looked behind him .Sitting on one of the desks by the wall was none other than Albus Dumbledore .Harry must have walked straight past him so desperate to get to the mirror he hadnt noticed him .I I didnt see you sir .Strange how nearsighted being invisible can make you said Dumbledore and Harry was relieved to see that he was smiling .So said Dumbledore slipping off the desk to sit on the floor with Harry you like hundreds before you have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised .I didnt know it was called that sir .But I expect youve realized by now what it does ?It well it shows me my family And it showed your friend Ron himself as Head Boy .How did you know ?I dont need a cloak to become invisible said Dumbledore gently .Now can you think what the Mirror of Erised shows us all ?Harry shook his head .Let me explain .The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror that is he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is .Does that help ?Harry thought .Then he said slowly It shows us what we want .whatever we want .Yes and no said Dumbledore quietly .It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest most desperate desire of our hearts .You who have never known your family see them standing around you .Ronald Weasley who has always been overshadowed by his brothers sees himself standing alone the best of all of them .However this mirror will give us neither knowledge or truth .Men have wasted away before it entranced by what they have seen or been driven mad not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible .The Mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow Harry and I ask you not to go looking for it again .If you ever do run across it you will now be prepared .It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live remember that .Now why dont you put that admirable cloak back on and get off to bed ?Harry stood up .Sir Professor Dumbledore ?Can I ask you something ?Obviously youve just done so Dumbledore smiled .You may ask me one more thing however .What do you see when you look in the mirror ?I ?I see myself holding a pair of thick woolen socks .Harry stared .One can never have enough socks said Dumbledore .Another Christmas has come and gone and I didnt get a single pair .People will insist on giving me books .It was only when he was back in bed that it struck Harry that Dumbledore might not have been quite truthful .But then he thought as he shoved Scabbers off his pillow it had been quite a personal question .NICHOLAS FLAMBL Dumbledore had convinced Harry not to go looking for the Mirror of Erised again and for the rest of the Christmas holidays the Invisibility Cloak stayed folded at the bottom of his trunk .Harry wished he could forget what hed seen in the mirror as easily but he couldnt .He started having nightmares .Over and over again he dreamed about his parents disappearing in a flash of green light while a high voice cackled with laughter .You see Dumbledore was right that mirror could drive you mad said Ron when Harry told him about these dreams .Hermione who came back the day before term started took a different view of things .She was torn between horror at the idea of Harry being out of bed roaming the school three nights in a row If Filch had caught you !and disappointment that he hadnt at least found out who Nicolas Flamel was .They had almost given up hope of ever finding Flamel in a library book even though Harry was still sure hed read the name somewhere .Once term had started they were back to skimming through books for ten minutes during their breaks .Harry had even less time than the other two because Quidditch practice had started again .Wood was working the team harder than ever .Even the endless rain that had replaced the snow couldnt dampen his spirits .The Weasleys complained that Wood was becoming a fanatic but Harry was on Woods side .If they won their next match against Hufflepuff they would overtake Slytherin in the House Championship for the first time in seven years .Quite apart from wanting to win Harry found that he had fewer nightmares when he was tired out after training .Then during one particularly wet and muddy practice session Wood gave the team a bit of bad news .Hed just gotten very angry with the Weasleys who kept divebombing each other and pretending to fall off their brooms .Will you stop messing around !he yelled .Thats exactly the sort of thing thatll lose us the match !Snapes refereeing this time and hell be looking for any excuse to knock points off Gryffindor !George Weasley really did fall off his broom at these words .Snapes refereeing ?he spluttered through a mouthful of mud .Whens he ever refereed a Quidditch match ?Hes not going to be fair if we might overtake Slytherin .The rest of the team landed next to George to complain too .Its not my fault said Wood .Weve just got to make sure we play a clean game so Snape hasnt got an excuse to pick on us .Which was all very well thought Harry but he had another reason for not wanting Snape near him while he was playing Quidditch .The rest of the team hung back to talk to one another as usual at the end of practice but Harry headed straight back to the Gryffindor common room where he found Ron and Hermione playing chess .Chess was the only thing Hermione ever lost at something Harry and Ron thought was very good for her .Dont talk to me for a moment said Ron when Harry sat down next to him I need to concern He caught sight of Harrys face .Whats the matter with you ?You look terrible .Speaking quietly so that no one else would hear Harry told the other two about Snape s sudden sinister desire to be a Quidditch referee .Dont play said Hermione at once .Say youre ill said Ron .Pretend to break your leg Hermione suggested .Really break your leg said Ron .I cant said Harry .There isnt a reserve Seeker .If I back out Gryffindor cant play at all .At that moment Neville toppled into the common room .How he had managed to climb through the portrait hole was anyones guess because his legs had been stuck together with what they recognized at once as the LegLocker Curse .He must have had to bunny hop all the way up to Gryffindor Tower .Everyone fell over laughing except Hermione who leapt up and performed the countercurse .Nevilles legs sprang apart and he got to his feet trembling .What happened ?Hermione asked him leading him over to sit with Harry and Ron .Malfoy said Neville shakily .I met him outside the library .He said hed been looking for someone to practice that on .Go to Professor McGonagall !Hermione urged Neville .Report him !Neville shook his head .I dont want more trouble he mumbled .Youve got to stand up to him Neville !said Ron .Hes used to walking all over people but thats no reason to lie down in front of him and make it easier .Theres no need to tell me Im not brave enough to be in Gryffindor Malfoys already done that Neville choked out .Harry felt in the pocket of his robes and pulled out a Chocolate Frog the very last one from the box Hermione had given him for Christmas .He gave it to Neville who looked as though he might cry .Youre worth twelve of Malfoy Harry said .The Sorting Hat chose you for Gryffindor didnt it ?And wheres Malfoy ?In stinking Slytherin .Nevilles lips twitched in a weak smile as he unwrapped the frog .Thanks Harry .I think Ill go to bed .Dyou want the card you collect them dont you ?As Neville walked away Harry looked at the Famous Wizard card .Dumbledore again he said He was the first one I ever He gasped .He stared at the back of the card .Then he looked up at Ron and Hermione .Ive found him he whispered .Ive found Flamel !I told you Id read the name somewhere before I read it on the train coming here listen to this ‘Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945 for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragons blood and his work on alchemy with his partner Nicolas FlamelV Hermione jumped to her feet .She hadnt looked so excited since theyd gotten back the marks for their very first piece of homework .Stay there !she said and she sprinted up the stairs to the girls dormitories .Harry and Ron barely had time to exchange mystified looks before she was dashing back an enormous old book in her arms .I never thought to look in here !she whispered excitedly .I got this out of the library weeks ago for a bit of light reading .Light ?said Ron but Hermione told him to be quiet until shed looked something up and started flicking frantically through the pages muttering to herself .At last she found what she was looking for .I knew it !I knew it !Are we allowed to speak yet ?said Ron grumpily .Hermione ignored him .Nicolas Flamel she whispered dramatically is the only known maker of the Sorcerers Stone This didnt have quite the effect shed expected .The what ?said Harry and Ron .Oh honestly dont you two read ?Look read that there .She pushed the book toward them and Harry and Ron read The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Sorcerers Stone a legendary substance with astonishing powers .The Stone will transform any metal into pure gold .It also produces the Elixir of Life which will make the drinker immortal .There have been many reports of the Sorcerers Stone over the centuries but the only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr Nicolas Flamel the noted alchemist and opera lover .Mr Flamel who celebrated his six hundred and sixtyfifth birthday last year enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife Perenelle six hundred and fiftyeight .See ?said Hermione when Harry and Ron had finished .The dog must be guarding Flamels Sorcerers Stone !I bet he asked Dumbledore to keep it safe for him because theyre friends and he knew someone was after it thats why he wanted the Stone moved out of Gringotts !A stone that makes gold and stops you from ever dying !said Harry .No wonder Snapes after it !Anyone would want it .And no wonder we couldnt find Flamel in that Study of Recent Developments in Wizardry said Ron .Hes not exactly recent if hes six hundred and sixtyfive is he ?The next morning in Defense Against the Dark Arts while copying down different ways of treating werewolf bites Harry and Ron were still discussing what theyd do with a Sorcerers Stone if they had one .It wasnt until Ron said hed buy his own Quidditch team that Harry remembered about Snape and the coming match .Im going to play he told Ron and Hermione .If I dont all the Slytherins will think Im just too scared to face Snape .Ill show them .itll really wipe the smiles off their faces if we win .Just as long as were not wiping you off the field said Hermione .As the match drew nearer however Harry became more and more nervous whatever he told Ron and Hermione .The rest of the team wasnt too calm either .The idea of overtaking Slytherin in the House Championship was wonderful no one had done it for seven years but would they be allowed to with such a biased referee ?Harry didnt know whether he was imagining it or not but he seemed to keep running into Snape wherever he went .At times he even wondered whether Snape was following him trying to catch him on his own .Potions lessons were turning into a sort of weekly torture Snape was so horrible to Harry .Could Snape possibly know theyd found out about the Sorcerers Stone ?Harry didnt see how he could yet he sometimes had the horrible feeling that Snape could read minds .Harry knew when they wished him good luck outside the locker rooms the next afternoon that Ron and Hermione were wondering whether theyd ever see him alive again .This wasnt what youd call comforting .Harry hardly heard a word of Woods pep talk as he pulled on his Quidditch robes and picked up his Nimbus Two Thousand .Ron and Hermione meanwhile had found a place in the stands next to Neville who couldnt understand why they looked so grim and worried or why they had both brought their wands to the match .Little did Harry know that Ron and Hermione had been secretly practicing the LegLocker Curse .Theyd gotten the idea from Malfoy using it on Neville and were ready to use it on Snape if he showed any sign of wanting to hurt Harry .Now dont forget its Locomotor Mortis Hermione muttered as Ron slipped his wand up his sleeve .I know Ron snapped .Dont nag .Back in the locker room Wood had taken Harry aside .Dont want to pressure you Potter but if we ever need an early capture of the Snitch its now .Finish the game before Snape can favor Hufflepuff too much .The whole schools out there !said Fred Weasley peering out of the door .Even blimey Dumbledores come to watch !Harrys heart did a somersault .Dumbledore ?he said dashing to the door to make sure .Fred was right .There was no mistaking that silver beard .Harry could have laughed out loud with relief .He was safe .There was simply no way that Snape would dare to try to hurt him if Dumbledore was watching .Perhaps that was why Snape was looking so angry as the teams marched onto the field something that Ron noticed too .Ive never seen Snape look so mean he told Hermione .Look theyre off .Ouch !Someone had poked Ron in the back of the head .It was Malfoy .Oh sorry Weasley didnt see you there .Malfoy grinned broadly at Crabbe and Goyle .Wonder how long Potters going to stay on his broom this time ?Anyone want a bet ?What about you Weasley ?Ron didnt answer Snape had just awarded Hufflepuff a penalty because George Weasley had hit a Bludger at him .Hermione who had all her fingers crossed in her lap was squinting fixedly at Harry who was circling the game like a hawk looking for the Snitch .You know how I think they choose people for the Gryffindor team ?said Malfoy loudly a few minutes later as Snape awarded Hufflepuff another penalty for no reason at all .Its people they feel sorry for .See theres Potter whos got no parents then theres the Weasleys whove got no money you should be on the team Longbottom youve got no brains .Neville went bright red but turned in his seat to face Malfoy .Im worth twelve of you Malfoy he stammered .Malfoy Crabbe and Goyle howled with laughter but Ron still not daring to take his eyes from the game said You tell him Neville .Longbottom if brains were gold youd be poorer than Weasley and thats saying something .Rons nerves were already stretched to the breaking point with anxiety about Harry .Im warning you Malfoy one more word Ron !said Hermione suddenly Harry !What ?Where ?Harry had suddenly gone into a spectacular dive which drew gasps and cheers from the crowd .Hermione stood up her crossed fingers in her mouth as Harry streaked toward the ground like a bullet .Youre in luck Weasley Potters obviously spotted some money on the ground !said Malfoy .Ron snapped .Before Malfoy knew what was happening Ron was on top of him wrestling him to the ground .Neville hesitated then clambered over the back of his seat to help .Come on Harry !Hermione screamed leaping onto her seat to watch as Harry sped straight at Snape she didnt even notice Malfoy and Ron rolling around under her seat or the scuffles and yelps coming from the whirl of fists that was Neville Crabbe and Goyle .Up in the air Snape turned on his broomstick just in time to see something scarlet shoot past him missing him by inches the next second Harry had pulled out of the dive his arm raised in triumph the Snitch clasped in his hand .The stands erupted it had to be a record no one could ever remember the Snitch being caught so quickly .Ron !Ron !Where are you ?The games over !Harrys won !Weve won !Gryffindor is in the lead !shrieked Hermione dancing up and down on her seat and hugging Parvati Patil in the row in front .Harry jumped off his broom a foot from the ground .He couldnt believe it .Hed done it the game was over it had barely lasted five minutes .As Gryffindors came spilling onto the field he saw Snape land nearby whitefaced and tightlipped then Harry felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up into Dumbledores smiling face .Well done said Dumbledore quietly so that only Harry could hear .Nice to see you havent been brooding about that mirror .been keeping busy .excellent .Snape spat bitterly on the ground .Jc Jc Jc Harry left the locker room alone some time later to take his Nimbus Two Thousand back to the broomshed .He couldnt ever remember feeling happier .Hed really done something to be proud of now no one could say he was just a famous name any more .The evening air had never smelled so sweet .He walked over the damp grass reliving the last hour in his head which was a happy blur Gryffindors running to lift him onto their shoulders Ron and Hermione in the distance jumping up and down Ron cheering through a heavy nosebleed .Harry had reached the shed .He leaned against the wooden door and looked up at Hogwarts with its windows glowing red in the setting sun .Gryffindor in the lead .Hed done it hed shown Snape .And speaking of Snape .A hooded figure came swiftly down the front steps of the castle .Clearly not wanting to be seen it walked as fast as possible toward the forbidden forest .Harrys victory faded from his mind as he watched .He recognized the figures pwalk .Snape sneaking into the forest while everyone else was at dinner what was going on ?Harry jumped back on his Nimbus Two Thousand and took off .Gliding silently over the castle he saw Snape enter the forest at a run .He followed .The trees were so thick he couldnt see where Snape had gone .He flew in circles lower and lower brushing the top branches of trees until he heard voices .He glided toward them and landed noiselessly in a towering beech tree .He climbed carefully along one of the branches holding tight to his broomstick trying to see through the leaves .Below in a shadowy clearing stood Snape but he wasnt alone .Quirrell was there too .Harry couldnt make out the look on his face but he was stuttering worse than ever .Harry strained to catch what they were saying . .ddont know why you wanted ttto meet here of all pplaces Severus .Oh I thought wed keep this private said Snape his voice icy .Students arent supposed to know about the Sorcerers Stone after all .Harry leaned forward .Quirrell was mumbling something .Snape interrupted him .Have you found out how to get past that beast of Hagrids yet ?Bbbut Severus I You dont want me as your enemy Quirrell said Snape taking a step toward him .II dont know what you You know perfectly well what I mean .An owl hooted loudly and Harry nearly fell out of the tree .He steadied himself in time to hear Snape say your little bit of hocuspocus .Im waiting .Bbut I dddont Very well Snape cut in .Well have another little chat soon when youve had time to think things over and decided where your loyalties lie .He threw his cloak over his head and strode out of the clearing .It was almost dark now but Harry could see Quirrell standing quite still as though he was petrified .Jc Jc Jc Harry where have you been ?Hermione squeaked .We won !You won !We won !shouted Ron thumping Harry on the back .And I gave Malfoy a black eye and Neville tried to take on Crabbe and Goyle single handed !Hes still out cold but Madam Pomfrey says hell be all right talk about showing Slytherin !Everyones waiting for you in the common room were having a party Fred and George stole some cakes and stuff from the kitchens .Never mind that now said Harry breathlessly .Lets find an empty room you wait til you hear this .He made sure Peeves wasnt inside before shutting the door behind them then he told them what hed seen and heard .So we were right it is the Sorcerers Stone and Snapes trying to force Quirrell to help him get it .He asked if he knew how to get past Fluffy and he said something about Quirrells ‘hocuspocus I reckon there are other things guarding the stone apart from Fluffy loads of enchantments probably and Quirrell would have done some antiDark Arts spell that Snape needs to break through So you mean the Stones only safe as long as Quirrell stands up to Snape ?said Hermione in alarm .Itll be gone by next Tuesday said Ron .NORBERT THE NORWEGIAN RIDGEBACK Quirrell however must have been braver than theyd thought .In the weeks that followed he did seem to be getting paler and thinner but it didnt look as though hed cracked yet .Every time they passed the thirdfloor corridor Harry Ron and Hermione would press their ears to the door to check that Fluffy was still ginside .Snape was sweeping about in his usual bad temper which surely meant that the Stone was still safe .Whenever Harry passed Quirrell these days he gave him an encouraging sort of smile and Ron had started telling people off for laughing at Quirrells stutter .Hermione however had more on her mind than the Sorcerers Stone .She had started drawing up study schedules and colorcoding all her notes .Harry and Ron wouldnt have minded but she kept nagging them to do the same .Hermione the exams are ages away .Ten weeks Hermione snapped .Thats not ages thats like a second to Nicolas Flamel .But were not six hundred years old Ron reminded her .Anyway what are you studying for you already know it all .What am I studying for ?Are you crazy ?You realize we need to pass these exams to get into the second year ?Theyre very important I should have started studying a month ago I dont know whats gotten into me .Unfortunately the teachers seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Hermione .They piled so much homework on them that the Easter holidays werent nearly as much fun as the Christmas ones .It was hard to relax with Hermione next to you reciting the twelve uses of dragons blood or practicing wand movements .Moaning and yawning Harry and Ron spent most of their free time in the library with her trying to get through all their extra work .Ill never remember this Ron burst out one afternoon throwing down his quill and looking longingly out of the library window .It was the first really fine day theyd had in months .The sky was a clear forgetmenot blue and there was a feeling in the air of summer coming .Harry who was looking up Dittany in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi didnt look up until he heard Ron say Hagrid !What are you doing in the library ?Hagrid shuffled into view hiding something behind his back .He looked very out of place in his moleskin overcoat .Jus lookin he said in a shifty voice that got their interest at once .An whatre you lot up ter ?He looked suddenly suspicious .Yer not still lookin fer Nicolas Flamel are yeh ?Oh we found out who he is ages ago said Ron impressively .And we know what that dogs guarding its a Sorcerers St Shhhh Hagrid looked around quickly to see if anyone was listening .Don go shoutin about it whats the matter with yeh ?There are a few things we wanted to ask you as a matter of fact said Harry about whats guarding the Stone apart from Fluffy SHHHH !said Hagrid again .Listen come an see me later Im not promisin Ill tell yeh anythin mind but don go rabbitin about it in here students aren spposed ter know .Theyll think Ive told yeh See you later then said Harry .Hagrid shuffled off .What was he hiding behind his back ?said Hermione thoughtfully .Do you think it had anything to do with the Stone ?Im going to see what section he was in said Ron whod had enough of working .He came back a minute later with a pile of books in his arms and slammed them down on the table .Dragons .he whispered .Hagrid was looking up stuff about dragons !Look at these Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland From Egg to Inferno A Dragon Keepers Guide .Hagrid s always wanted a dragon he told me so the first time I ever met him said Harry .But its against our laws said Ron .Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks Convention of 1709 everyone knows that .Its hard to stop Muggles from noticing us if were keeping dragons in the back garden anyway you cant tame dragons its dangerous .You should see the burns Charlies got off wild ones in Romania .But there arent wild dragons in Britain ?said Harry .Of course there are said Ron .Common Welsh Green and Hebridean Blacks .The Ministry of Magic has a job hushing them up I can tell you .Our kind have to keep putting spells on Muggles whove spotted them to make them forget .So what on earths Hagrid up to ?said Hermione .When they knocked on the door of the gamekeepers hut an hour later they were surprised to see that all the curtains were closed .Hagrid called Who is it ?before he let them in and then shut the door quickly behind them .It was stifling hot inside .Even though it was such a warm day there was a blazing fire in the grate .Hagrid made them tea and offered them stoat sandwiches which they refused .So yeh wanted to ask me somethin ?Yes said Harry .There was no point beating around the bush .We were wondering if you could tell us whats guarding the Sorcerers Stone apart from Fluffy .Hagrid frowned at him .O course I cant he said .Number one I don know meself .Number two yeh know too much already so I wouldn tell yeh if I could .That Stones here fer a good reason .It was almost stolen outta Gringotts I sppose yehve worked that out an all ?Beats me how yeh even know abou Fluffy .Oh come on Hagrid you might not want to tell us but you do know you know everything that goes on round here said Hermione in a warm flattering voice .Hagrid s beard twitched and they could tell he was smiling .We only wondered who had done the guarding really .Hermione went on .We wondered who Dumbledore had trusted enough to help him apart from you .Hagrid s chest swelled at these last words .Harry and Ron beamed at Hermione .Well I don spose it could hurt ter tell yeh that .lets see .he borrowed Fluffy from me .then some o the teachers did enchantments .Professor Sprout Professor Flitwick Professor McGonagall he ticked them off on his fingers Professor Quirrell an Dumbledore himself did somethin o course .Hang on Ive forgotten someone .Oh yeah Professor Snape .Snape ?Yeah yer not still on abou that are yeh ?Look Snape helped protect the Stone hes not about ter steal it .Harry knew Ron and Hermione were thinking the same as he was .If Snape had been in on protecting the Stone it must have been easy to find out how the other teachers had guarded it .He probably knew everything except it seemed Quirrells spell and how to get past Fluffy .Youre the only one who knows how to get past Fluffy arent you Hagrid ?said Harry anxiously .And you wouldnt tell anyone would you ?Not even one of the teachers ?Not a soul knows except me an Dumbledore said Hagrid proudly .Well thats something Harry muttered to the others .Hagrid can we have a window open ?Im boiling .Cant Harry sorry said Hagrid .Harry noticed him glance at the fire .Harry looked at it too .Hagrid whats that ?But he already knew what it was .In the very heart of the fire underneath the kettle was a huge black egg .Ah said Hagrid fiddling nervously with his beard Thats er .Where did you get it Hagrid ?said Ron crouching over the fire to get a closer look at the egg .It mustve cost you a fortune .Won it said Hagrid .Las night .I was down in the village havin a few drinks an got into a game o cards with a stranger .Think he was quite glad ter get rid of it ter be honest .But what are you going to do with it when its hatched ?said Hermione .Well Ive bin doin some readin said Hagrid pulling a large book from under his pillow .Got this outta the library Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit its a bit outta date o course but its all in here .Keep the egg in the fire cause their mothers breathe on em see an when it hatches feed it on a bucket o brandy mixed with chicken blood every half hour .An see here how ter recognize diffrent eggs what I got theres a Norwegian Ridgeback .Theyre rare them .He looked very pleased with himself but Hermione didnt .Hagrid you live in a wooden house she said .But Hagrid wasnt listening .He was humming merrily as he stoked the fire .So now they had something else to worry about what might happen to Hagrid if anyone found out he was hiding an illegal dragon in his hut .Wonder what its like to have a peaceful life Ron sighed as evening after evening they struggled through all the extra homework they were getting .Hermione had now started making study schedules for Harry and Ron too .It was driving them nuts .Then one breakfast time Hedwig brought Harry another note from Hagrid .He had written only two words Its hatching .Ron wanted to skip Herbology and go straight down to the hut .Hermione wouldnt hear of it .Hermione how many times in our lives are we going to see a dragon hatching ?Weve got lessons well get into trouble and thats nothing to what Hagrid s going to be in when someone finds out what hes doing Shut up !Harry whispered .Malfoy was only a few feet away and he had stopped dead to listen .How much had he heard ?Harry didnt like the look on Malfoys face at all .Ron and Hermione argued all the way to Herbology and in the end Hermione agreed to run down to Hagrids with the other two during morning break .When the bell sounded from the castle at the end of their lesson the three of them dropped their trowels at once and hurried through the grounds to the edge of the forest .Hagrid greeted them looking flushed and excited .Its nearly out .He ushered them inside .The egg was lying on the table .There were deep cracks in it .Something was moving inside a funny clicking noise was coming from it .They all drew their chairs up to the table and watched with bated breath .All at once there was a scraping noise and the egg split open .The baby dragon flopped onto the table .It wasnt exactly pretty Harry thought it looked like a crumpled black umbrella .Its spiny wings were huge compared to its skinny jet body it had a long snout with wide nostrils the stubs of horns and bulging orange eyes .It sneezed .A couple of sparks flew out of its snout .Isnt he beautiful ?Hagrid murmured .He reached out a hand to stroke the dragons head .It snapped at his fingers showing pointed fangs .Bless him look he knows his mommy !said Hagrid .Hagrid said Hermione how fast do Norwegian Ridgebacks grow exactly ?Hagrid was about to answer when the color suddenly drained from his face he leapt to his feet and ran to the window .Whats the matter ?Someone was lookin through the gap in the curtains its a kid hes runnin back up ter the school .Harry bolted to the door and looked out .Even at a distance there was no mistaking him .Malfoy had seen the dragon .Something about the smile lurking on Malfoys face during the next week made Harry Ron and Hermione very nervous .They spent most of their free time in Hagrid s darkened hut trying to reason with him .Just let him go Harry urged .Set him free .I cant said Hagrid .Hes too little .Hed die .They looked at the dragon .It had grown three times in length in just a week .Smoke kept furling out of its nostrils .Hagrid hadnt been doing his gamekeeping duties because the dragon was keeping him so busy .There were empty brandy bottles and chicken feathers all over the floor .Ive decided to call him Norbert said Hagrid looking at the dragon with misty eyes .He really knows me now watch .Norbert !Norbert !Wheres Mommy ?Hes lost his marbles Ron muttered in Harrys ear .Hagrid said Harry loudly give it two weeks and Norberts going to be as long as your house .Malfoy could go to Dumbledore at any moment .Hagrid bit his lip .I I know I cant keep him forever but I cant jus dump him cant .Harry suddenly turned to Ron .Charlie he said .Youre losing it too said Ron .Im Ron remember ?No Charlie your brother Charlie .In Romania .Studying dragons .We could send Norbert to him .Charlie can take care of him and then put him back in the wild !Brilliant !said Ron .How about it Hagrid ?And in the end Hagrid agreed that they could send an owl to Charlie to ask him .The following week dragged by .Wednesday night found Hermione and Harry sitting alone in the common room long after everyone else had gone to bed .The clock on the wall had just chimed midnight when the portrait hole burst open .Ron appeared out of nowhere as he pulled off Harrys Invisibility Cloak .He had been down at Hagrids hut helping him feed Norbert who was now eating dead rats by the crate .It bit me !he said showing them his hand which was wrapped in a bloody handkerchief .Im not going to be able to hold a quill for a week .I tell you that dragons the most horrible animal Ive ever met but the way Hagrid goes on about it youd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit .When it bit me he told me off for frightening it .And when I left he was singing it a lullaby .There was a tap on the dark window .Its Hedwig !said Harry hurrying to let her in .Shell have Charlies answer !The three of them put their heads together to read the note .Dear Ron How are you ?Thanks for the letter Id be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback but it wont be easy getting him here .I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week .Trouble is they mustnt be seen carrying an illegal dragon .Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday ?They can meet you there and take him away while its still dark .Send me an answer as soon as possible .Love Charlie They looked at one another .Weve got the Invisibility Cloak said Harry .It shouldnt be too difficult I think the cloaks big enough to cover two of us and Norbert .It was a mark of how bad the last week had been that the other two agreed with him .Anything to get rid of Norbert and Malfoy .There was a hitch .By the next morning Rons bitten hand had swollen to twice its usual size .He didnt know whether it was safe to go to Madam Pomfrey would she recognize a dragon bite ?By the afternoon though he had no choice .The cut had turned a nasty shade of green .It looked as if Norberts fangs were poisonous .Harry and Hermione rushed up to the hospital wing at the end of the day to find Ron in a terrible state in bed .Its not just my hand he whispered although that feels like its about to fall off .Malfoy told Madam Pomfrey he wanted to borrow one of my books so he could come and have a good laugh at me .He kept threatening to tell her what really bit me Ive told her it was a dog but I dont think she believes me I shouldnt have hit him at the Quidditch match thats why hes doing this .Harry and Hermione tried to calm Ron down .Itll all be over at midnight on Saturday said Hermione but this didnt soothe Ron at all .On the contrary he sat bolt upright and broke into a sweat .Midnight on Saturday !he said in a hoarse voice .Oh no oh no Ive just remembered Charlies letter was in that book Malfoy took hes going to know were getting rid of Norbert .Harry and Hermione didnt get a chance to answer .Madam Pomfrey came over at that moment and made them leave saying Ron needed sleep .Its too late to change the plan now Harry told Hermione .We havent got time to send Charlie another owl and this could be our only chance to get rid of Norbert .Well have to risk it .And we have got the Invisibility Cloak Malfoy doesnt know about that .They found Fang the boarhound sitting outside with a bandaged tail when they went to tell Hagrid who opened a window to talk to them .I wont let you in he puffed .Norberts at a tricky stage nothin I cant handle .When they told him about Charlies letter his eyes filled with tears although that might have been because Norbert had just bitten him on the leg .Aargh !Its all right he only got my boot jus playin hes only a baby after all .The baby banged its tail on the wall making the windows rattle .Harry and Hermione walked back to the castle feeling Saturday couldnt come quickly enough .They would have felt sorry for Hagrid when the time came for him to say goodbye to Norbert if they hadnt been so worried about what they had to do .It was a very dark cloudy night and they were a bit late arriving at Hagrid s hut because theyd had to wait for Peeves to get out of their way in the entrance hall where hed been playing tennis against the wall .Hagrid had Norbert packed and ready in a large crate .Hes got lots o rats an some brandy fer the journey said Hagrid in a muffled voice .An Ive packed his teddy bear in case he gets lonely .From inside the crate came ripping noises that sounded to Harry as though the teddy was having his head torn off .Byebye Norbert !Hagrid sobbed as Harry and Hermione covered the crate with the Invisibility Cloak and stepped underneath it themselves .Mommy will never forget you !How they managed to get the crate back up to the castle they never knew .Midnight ticked nearer as they heaved Norbert up the marble staircase in the entrance hall and along the dark corridors .Up another staircase then another even one of Harrys shortcuts didnt make the work much easier .Nearly there !Harry panted as they reached the corridor beneath the tallest tower .Then a sudden movement ahead of them made them almost drop the crate .Forgetting that they were already invisible they shrank into the shadows staring at the dark outlines of two people grappling with each other ten feet away .A lamp flared .Professor McGonagall in a tartan bathrobe and a hair net had Malfoy by the ear .Detention !she shouted .And twenty points from Slytherin !Wandering around in the middle of the night how dare you You dont understand Professor .Harry Potters coming hes got a dragon !What utter rubbish !How dare you tell such lies !Come on I shall see Professor Snape about you Malfoy !The steep spiral staircase up to the top of the tower seemed the easiest thing in the world after that .Not until theyd stepped out into the cold night air did they throw off the cloak glad to be able to breathe properly again .Hermione did a sort of jig .Malfoys got detention !I could sing !Dont Harry advised her .Chuckling about Malfoy they waited Norbert thrashing about in his crate .About ten minutes later four broomsticks came swooping down out of the darkness .Charlies friends were a cheery lot .They showed Harry and Hermione the harness theyd rigged up so they could suspend Norbert between them .They all helped buckle Norbert safely into it and then Harry and Hermione shook hands with the others and thanked them very much .At last Norbert was going .going .gone .They slipped back down the spiral staircase their hearts as light as their hands now that Norbert was off them .No more dragon Malfoy in detention what could spoil their happiness ?The answer to that was waiting at the foot of the stairs .As they stepped into the corridor Filchs face loomed suddenly out of the darkness .Well well well he whispered we are in trouble .Theyd left the Invisibility Cloak on top of the tower .THE FORBIDDEN FOREST Things couldnt have been worse .Filch took them down to Professor McGonagalls study on the first floor where they sat and waited without saying a word to each other .Hermione was trembling .Excuses alibis and wild coverup stories chased each other around Harrys brain each more feeble than the last .He couldnt see how they were going to get out of trouble this time .They were cornered .How could they have been so stupid as to forget the cloak ?There was no reason on earth that Professor McGonagall would accept for their being out of bed and creeping around the school in the dead of night let alone being up the tallest Astronomy Tower which was outofbounds except for classes .Add Norbert and the Invisibility Cloak and they might as well be packing their bags already .Had Harry thought that things couldnt have been worse ?He was wrong .When Professor McGonagall appeared she was leading Neville .Harry !Neville burst out the moment he saw the other two .I was trying to find you to warn you I heard Malfoy saying he was going to catch you he said you had a drag Harry shook his head violently to shut Neville up but Professor McGonagall had seen .She looked more likely to breathe fire than Norbert as she towered over the three of them .I would never have believed it of any of you .Mr Filch says you were up in the Astronomy Tower .Its one oclock in the morning .Explain yourselves .It was the first time Hermione had ever failed to answer a teachers question .She was staring at her slippers as still as a statue .I think Ive got a good idea of whats been going on said Professor McGonagall .It doesnt take a genius to work it out .You fed Draco Malfoy some cockand bull story about a dragon trying to get him out of bed and into trouble .Ive already caught him .I suppose you think its funny that Longbottom here heard the story and believed it too ?Harry caught Nevilles eye and tried to tell him without words that this wasnt true because Neville was looking stunned and hurt .Poor blundering Neville Harry knew what it must have cost him to try and find them in the dark to warn them .Im disgusted said Professor McGonagall .Four students out of bed in one night !Ive never heard of such a thing before !You Miss Granger I thought you had more sense .As for you Mr Potter I thought Gryffindor meant more to you than this .All three of you will receive detentions yes you too Mr Longbottom nothing gives you the right to walk around school at night especially these days its very dangerous and fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor .Fifty ?Harry gasped they would lose the lead the lead hed won in the last Quidditch match .Fifty points each said Professor McGonagall breathing heavily through her long pointed nose .Professor please You cant Dont tell me what I can and cant do Potter .Now get back to bed all of you .Ive never been more ashamed of Gryffindor students .A hundred and fifty points lost .That put Gryffindor in last place .In one night theyd ruined any chance Gryffindor had had for the House Cup .Harry felt as though the bottom had dropped out of his stomach .How could they ever make up for this ?Harry didnt sleep all night .He could hear Neville sobbing into his pillow for what seemed like hours .Harry couldnt think of anything to say to comfort him .He knew Neville like himself was dreading the dawn .What would happen when the rest of Gryffindor found out what theyd done ?At first Gryffindors passing the giant hourglasses that recorded the House points the next day thought there d been a mistake .How could they suddenly have a hundred and fifty points fewer than yesterday ?And then the story started to spread Harry Potter the famous Harry Potter their hero of two Quidditch matches had lost them all those points him and a couple of other stupid first years .From being one of the most popular and admired people at the school Harry was suddenly the most hated .Even Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs turned on him because everyone had been longing to see Slytherin lose the House Cup .Everywhere Harry went people pointed and didnt trouble to lower their voices as they insulted him .Slytherins on the other hand clapped as he walked past them whistling and cheering Thanks Potter we owe you one !Only Ron stood by him .Theyll all forget this in a few weeks .Fred and George have lost loads of points in all the time theyve been here and people still like them .Theyve never lost a hundred and fifty points in one go though have they ?said Harry miserably .Well no Ron admitted .It was a bit late to repair the damage but Harry swore to himself not to meddle in things that werent his business from now on .Hed had it with sneaking around and spying .He felt so ashamed of himself that he went to Wood and offered to resign from the Quidditch team .Resign ?Wood thundered .What goodll that do ?How are we going to get any points back if we cant win at Quidditch ?But even Quidditch had lost its fun .The rest of the team wouldnt speak to Harry during practice and if they had to speak about him they called him the Seeker .Hermione and Neville were suffering too .They didnt have as bad a time as Harry because they werent as wellknown but nobody would speak to them either .Hermione had stopped drawing attention to herself in class keeping her head down and working in silence .Harry was almost glad that the exams werent far away .All the studying he had to do kept his mind off his misery .He Ron and Hermione kept to themselves working late into the night trying to remember the ingredients in complicated potions learn charms and spells by heart memorize the dates of magical discoveries and goblin rebellions .Then about a week before the exams were due to start Harrys new resolution not to interfere in anything that didnt concern him was put to an unexpected test .Walking back from the library on his own one afternoon he heard somebody whimpering from a classroom up ahead .As he drew closer he heard Quirrells voice .No no not again please It sounded as though someone was threatening him .Harry moved closer .All right all right he heard Quirrell sob .Next second Quirrell came hurrying out of the classroom straightening his turban .He was pale and looked as though he was about to cry .He strode out of sight Harry didnt think Quirrell had even noticed him .He waited until Quirrells footsteps had disappeared then peered into the classroom .It was empty but a door stood ajar at the other end .Harry was halfway toward it before he remembered what hed promised himself about not meddling .All the same hed have gambled twelve Sorcerers Stones that Snape had just left the room and from what Harry had just heard Snape would be walking with a new spring in his step Quirrell seemed to have given in at last .Harry went back to the library where Hermione was testing Ron on Astronomy .Harry told them what hed heard .Snapes done it then !said Ron .If Quirrells told him how to break his AntiDark Force spell Theres still Fluffy though said Hermione .Maybe Snapes found out how to get past him without asking Hagrid said Ron looking up at the thousands of books surrounding them .I bet theres a book somewhere in here telling you how to get past a giant threeheaded dog .So what do we do Harry ?The light of adventure was kindling again in Rons eyes but Hermione answered before Harry could .Go to Dumbledore .Thats what we should have done ages ago .If we try anything ourselves well be thrown out for sure .But weve got no proof .said Harry .Quirrells too scared to back us up .Snapes only got to say he doesnt know how the troll got in at Halloween and that he was nowhere near the third floor who do you think theyll believe him or us ?Its not exactly a secret we hate him Dumbledore ll think we made it up to get him sacked .Filch wouldnt help us if his life depended on it hes too friendly with Snape and the more students get thrown out the better hell think .And dont forget were not supposed to know about the Stone or Fluffy .Thatll take a lot of explaining .Hermione looked convinced but Ron didnt .If we just do a bit of poking around No said Harry flatly weve done enough poking around .He pulled a map of Jupiter toward him and started to learn the names of its moons .The following morning notes were delivered to Harry Hermione and Neville at the breakfast table .They were all the same Your detention will take place at eleven oclock tonight .Meet Mr Filch in the entrance hall .Professor M .McGonagall Harry had forgotten they still had detentions to do in the furor over the points theyd lost .He half expected Hermione to complain that this was a whole night of studying lost but she didnt say a word .Like Harry she felt they deserved what theyd got .At eleven oclock that night they said goodbye to Ron in the common room and went down to the entrance hall with Neville .Filch was already there and so was Malfoy .Harry had also forgotten that Malfoy had gotten a detention too .Follow me said Filch lighting a lamp and leading them outside .I bet youll think twice about breaking a school rule again wont you eh ?he said leering at them .Oh yes .hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me .Its just a pity they let the old punishments die out .hang you by your wrists from the ceiling for a few days Ive got the chains still in my office keep em well oiled in case theyre ever needed .Right off we go and dont think of running off now itll be worse for you if you do .They marched off across the dark grounds .Neville kept sniffing .Harry wondered what their punishment was going to be .It must be something really horrible or Filch wouldnt be sounding so delighted .The moon was bright but clouds scudding across it kept throwing them into darkness .Ahead Harry could see the lighted windows of Hagrids hut .Then they heard a distant shout .Is that you Filch ?Hurry up I want ter get started .Harrys heart rose if they were going to be working with Hagrid it wouldnt be so bad .His relief must have showed in his face because Filch said I suppose you think youll be enjoying yourself with that oaf ?Well think again boy its into the forest youre going and Im much mistaken if youll all come out in one piece .At this Neville let out a little moan and Malfoy stopped dead in his tracks .The forest ?he repeated and he didnt sound quite as cool as usual .We cant go in there at night theres all sorts of things in there werewolves I heard .Neville clutched the sleeve of Harrys robe and made a choking noise .Thats your problem isnt it ?said Filch his voice cracking with glee .Shouldve thought of them werewolves before you got in trouble shouldnt you ?Hagrid came striding toward them out of the dark Fang at his heel .He was carrying his large crossbow and a quiver of arrows hung over his shoulder .Abou time he said .I bin waitin fer half an hour already .All right Harry Hermione ?I shouldnt be too friendly to them Hagrid said Filch coldly theyre here to be punished after all .Thats why yer late is it ?said Hagrid frowning at Filch .Bin lecturin them eh ?Snot your place ter do that .Yehve done yer bit Ill take over from here .Ill be back at dawn said Filch for whats left of them he added nastily and he turned and started back toward the castle his lamp bobbing away in the darkness .Malfoy now turned to Hagrid .Im not going in that forest he said and Harry was pleased to hear the note of panic in his voice .Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts said Hagrid fiercely .Yehve done wrong an now yehve got ter pay fer it .But this is servant stuff its not for students to do .I thought wed be copying lines or something if my father knew I was doing this hed tell yer thats how it is at Hogwarts Hagrid growled .Copyin lines !What goods that ter anyone ?Yehll do summat useful or yehll get out .If yeh think yer fatherd rather you were expelled then get back off ter the castle an pack .Go on !Malfoy didnt move .He looked at Hagrid furiously but then dropped his gaze .Right then said Hagrid now listen carefully cause its dangerous what were gonna do tonight an I don want no one takin risks .Follow me over here a moment .He led them to the very edge of the forest .Holding his lamp up high he pointed down a narrow winding earth track that disappeared into the thick black trees .A light breeze lifted their hair as they looked into the forest .Look there said Hagrid see that stuff shinin on the ground ?Silvery stuff ?Thats unicorn blood .Theres a unicorn in there bin hurt badly by summat .This is the second time in a week .I found one dead last Wednesday .Were gonna try an find the poor thing .We might have ter put it out of its misery .And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first ?said Malfoy unable to keep the fear out of his voice .Theres nothin that lives in the forest thatll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang said Hagrid .An keep ter the path .Right now were gonna split inter two parties an follow the trail in diffrent directions .Theres blood all over the place it mustve bin staggerin around since last night at least .I want Fang said Malfoy quickly looking at Fangs long teeth .All right but I warn yeh hes a coward said Hagrid .So me Harry an Hermionell go one way an Draco Neville an Fangll go the other .Now if any of us finds the unicorn well send up green sparks right ?Get yer wands out an practice now thats it an if anyone gets in trouble send up red sparks an well all come an find yeh so be careful lets go .The forest was black and silent .A little way into it they reached a fork in the earth path and Harry Hermione and Hagrid took the left path while Malfoy Neville and Fang took the right .They walked in silence their eyes on the ground .Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silverblue blood on the fallen leaves .Harry saw that Hagrid looked very worried .Could a werewolf be killing the unicorns ?Harry asked .Not fast enough said Hagrid .Its not easy ter catch a unicorn theyre powerful magic creatures .I never knew one ter be hurt before .They walked past a mossy tree stump .Harry could hear running water there must be a stream somewhere close by .There were still spots of unicorn blood here and there along the winding path .You all right Hermione ?Hagrid whispered .Don worry it cantve gone far if its this badly hurt an then well be able ter GET BEHIND THAT TREE !Hagrid seized Harry and Hermione and hoisted them off the path behind a towering oak .He pulled out an arrow and fitted it into his crossbow raising it ready to fire .The three of them listened .Something was slithering over dead leaves nearby it sounded like a cloak trailing along the ground .Hagrid was squinting up the dark path but after a few seconds the sound faded away .I knew it he murmured .Theres summat in here that shouldn be .A werewolf ?Harry suggested .That wasn no werewolf an it wasn no unicorn neither said Hagrid grimly .Right follow me but careful now .They walked more slowly ears straining for the faintest sound .Suddenly in a clearing ahead something definitely moved .Whos there ?Hagrid called .Show yerself Im armed !And into the clearing came was it a man or a horse ?To the waist a man with red hair and beard but below that was a horses gleaming chestnut body with a long reddish tail .Harry and Hermiones jaws dropped .Oh its you Ronan said Hagrid in relief .How are yeh ?He walked forward and shook the centaurs hand .Good evening to you Hagrid said Ronan .He had a deep sorrowful voice .Were you going to shoot me ?Cant be too careful Ronan said Hagrid patting his crossbow .Theres summat bad loose in this forest .This is Harry Potter an Hermione Granger by the way .Students up at the school .An this is Ronan you two .Hes a centaur .Wed noticed said Hermione faintly .Good evening said Ronan .Students are you ?And do you learn much up at the school ?Erm A bit said Hermione timidly .A bit .Well thats something .Ronan sighed .He flung back his head and stared at the sky .Mars is bright tonight .Yeah said Hagrid glancing up too .Listen Im glad weve run inter yeh Ronan cause theres a unicorn bin hurt you seen anythin ?Ronan didnt answer immediately .He stared unblinkingly upward then sighed again .Always the innocent are the first victims he said .So it has been for ages past so it is now .Yeah said Hagrid but have yeh seen anythin Ronan ?Anythin unusual ?Mars is bright tonight Ronan repeated while Hagrid watched him impatiently .Unusually bright .Yeah but I was meanin anythin unusual a bit nearer home said Hagrid .So yeh havent noticed anythin strange ?Yet again Ronan took a while to answer .At last he said The forest hides many secrets .A movement in the trees behind Ronan made Hagrid raise his bow again but it was only a second centaur blackhaired and bodied and wilderlooking than Ronan .Hullo Bane said Hagrid .All right ?Good evening Hagrid I hope you are well ?Well enough .Look Ive jus bin askin Ronan you seen anythin odd in here lately ?Theres a unicorn bin injured would yeh know anythin about it ?Bane walked over to stand next to Ronan .He looked skyward .Mars is bright tonight he said simply .Weve heard said Hagrid grumpily .Well if either of you do see anythin let me know wont yeh ?Well be off then .Harry and Hermione followed him out of the clearing staring over their shoulders at Ronan and Bane until the trees blocked their view .Never said Hagrid irritably try an get a straight answer out of a centaur .Ruddy stargazers .Not interested in anythin closern the moon .Are there many of them in here ?asked Hermione .Oh a fair few .Keep themselves to themselves mostly but theyre good enough about turnin up if ever I want a word .Theyre deep mind centaurs .they know things .jus don let on much .Dyou think that was a centaur we heard earlier ?said Harry .Did that sound like hooves to you ?Nah if yeh ask me that was whats bin killin the unicorns never heard anythin like it before .They walked on through the dense dark trees .Harry kept looking nervously over his shoulder .He had the nasty feeling they were being watched .He was very glad they had Hagrid and his crossbow with them .They had just passed a bend in the path when Hermione grabbed Hagrid s arm .Hagrid !Look !Red sparks the others are in trouble !You two wait here !Hagrid shouted .Stay on the path Ill come back for yeh !They heard him crashing away through the undergrowth and stood looking at each other very scared until they couldnt hear anything but the rustling of leaves around them .You dont think theyve been hurt do you ?whispered Hermione .I dont care if Malfoy has but if somethings got Neville .its our fault hes here in the first place .The minutes dragged by .Their ears seemed sharper than usual .Harrys seemed to be picking up every sigh of the wind every cracking twig .What was going on ?Where were the others ?At last a great crunching noise announced Hagrids return .Malfoy Neville and Fang were with him .Hagrid was fuming .Malfoy it seemed had sneaked up behind Neville and grabbed him as a joke .Neville had panicked and sent up the sparks .Well be lucky ter catch anythin now with the racket you two were makin .Right were changin groups Neville you stay with me an Hermione Harry you go with Fang an this idiot .Im sorry Hagrid added in a whisper to Harry but hell have a harder time frightenin you an weve gotta get this done .So Harry set off into the heart of the forest with Malfoy and Fang .They walked for nearly half an hour deeper and deeper into the forest until the path became almost impossible to follow because the trees were so thick .Harry thought the blood seemed to be getting thicker .There were splashes on the roots of a tree as though the poor creature had been thrashing around in pain close by .Harry could see a clearing ahead through the tangled branches of an ancient oak .Look he murmured holding out his arm to stop Malfoy .Something bright white was gleaming on the ground .They inched closer .It was the unicorn all right and it was dead .Harry had never seen anything so beautiful and sad .Its long slender legs were stuck out at odd angles where it had fallen and its mane was spread pearlywhite on the dark leaves .Harry had taken one step toward it when a slithering sound made him freeze where he stood .A bush on the edge of the clearing quivered .Then out of the shadows a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast .Harry Malfoy and Fang stood transfixed .The cloaked figure reached the unicorn lowered its head over the wound in the animals side and began to drink its blood .aaRGH !Malfoy let out a terrible scream and bolted so did Fang .The hooded figure raised its head and looked right at Harry unicorn blood was dribbling down its front .It got to its feet and came swiftly toward Harry he couldnt move for fear .Then a pain like hed never felt before pierced his head it was as though his scar were on fire .Half blinded he staggered backward .He heard hooves behind him galloping and something jumped clean over Harry charging at the figure .The pain in Harrys head was so bad he fell to his knees .It took a minute or two to pass .When he looked up the figure had gone .A centaur was standing over him not Ronan or Bane this one looked younger he had whiteblond hair and a palomino body .Are you all right ?said the centaur pulling Harry to his feet .Yes thank you what was that ?The centaur didnt answer .He had astonishingly blue eyes like pale sapphires .He looked carefully at Harry his eyes lingering on the scar that stood out livid on Harrys forehead .You are the Potter boy he said .You had better get back to Hagrid .The forest is not safe at this time especially for you .Can you ride ?It will be quicker this way .My name is Firenze he added as he lowered himself on to his front legs so that Harry could clamber onto his back .There was suddenly a sound of more galloping from the other side of the clearing .Ronan and Bane came bursting through the trees their flanks heaving and sweaty .Firenze !Bane thundered .What are you doing ?You have a human on your back !Have you no shame ?Are you a common mule ?Do you realize who this is ?said Firenze .This is the Potter boy .The quicker he leaves this forest the better .What have you been telling him ?growled Bane .Remember Firenze we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens .Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets ?Ronan pawed the ground nervously .Im sure Firenze thought he was acting for the best he said in his gloomy voice .Bane kicked his back legs in anger .For the best !What is that to do with us ?Centaurs are concerned with what has been foretold !It is not our business to run around like donkeys after stray humans in our forest !Firenze suddenly reared on to his hind legs in anger so that Harry had to grab his shoulders to stay on .Do you not see that unicorn ?Firenze bellowed at Bane .Do you not understand why it was killed ?Or have the planets not let you in on that secret ?I set myself against what is lurking in this forest Bane yes with humans alongside me if I must .And Firenze whisked around with Harry clutching on as best he could they plunged off into the trees leaving Ronan and Bane behind them .Harry didnt have a clue what was going on .Whys Bane so angry ?he asked .What was that thing you saved me from anyway ?Firenze slowed to a walk warned Harry to keep his head bowed in case of lowhanging branches but did not answer Harrys question .They made their way through the trees in silence for so long that Harry thought Firenze didnt want to talk to him anymore .They were passing through a particularly dense patch of trees however when Firenze suddenly stopped .Harry Potter do you know what unicorn blood is used for ?No said Harry startled by the odd question .Weve only used the horn and tail hair in Potions .That is because it is a monstrous thing to slay a unicorn said Firenze .Only one who has nothing to lose and everything to gain would commit such a crime .The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive even if you are an inch from death but at a terrible price .You have slain something pure and defenseless to save yourself and you will have but a halflife a cursed life from the moment the blood touches your lips .Harry stared at the back of Firenzes head which was dappled silver in the moonlight .But whod be that desperate ?he wondered aloud .If youre going to be cursed forever deaths better isnt it ?It is Firenze agreed unless all you need is to stay alive long enough to drink something else something that will bring you back to full strength and power something that will mean you can never die .Mr Potter do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment ?The Sorcerers Stone !Of course the Elixir of Life !But I dont understand who Can you think of nobody who has waited many years to return to power who has clung to life awaiting their chance ?It was as though an iron fist had clenched suddenly around Harrys heart .Over the rustling of the trees he seemed to hear once more what Hagrid had told him on the night they had met Some say he died .Codswallop in my opinion .Dunno if he had enough human left in him to die .Do you mean Harry croaked that was VoZ Harry !Harry are you all right ?Hermione was running toward them down the path Hagrid puffing along behind her .Im fine said Harry hardly knowing what he was saying .The unicorns dead Hagrid its in that clearing back there .This is where I leave you Firenze murmured as Hagrid hurried off to examine the unicorn .You are safe now .Harry slid off his back .Good luck Harry Potter said Firenze .The planets have been read wrongly before now even by centaurs .I hope this is one of those times .He turned and cantered back into the depths of the forest leaving Harry shivering behind him .Ron had fallen asleep in the dark common room waiting for them to return .He shouted something about Quidditch fouls when Harry roughly shook him awake .In a matter of seconds though he was wide eyed as Harry began to tell him and Hermione what had happened in the forest .Harry couldnt sit down .He paced up and down in front of the fire .He was still shaking .Snape wants the Stone for Voldemort .and Voldemorts waiting in the forest .and all this time we thought Snape just wanted to get rich .Stop saying the name !said Ron in a terrified whisper as if he thought Voldemort could hear them .Harry wasnt listening .Firenze saved me but he shouldnt have done so .Bane was furious .he was talking about interfering with what the planets say is going to happen .They must show that Voldemorts coming back .Bane thinks Firenze should have let Voldemort kill me .I suppose thats written in the stars as well .Will you stop saying the name Ron hissed .So all Ive got to wait for now is Snape to steal the Stone Harry went on feverishly then Voldemort will be able to come and finish me off .Well I suppose Bane 11 be happy .Hermione looked very frightened but she had a word of comfort .Harry everyone says Dumbledores the only one YouKnowWho was ever afraid of .With Dumbledore around YouKnowWho wont touch you .Anyway who says the centaurs are right ?It sounds like fortunetelling to me and Professor McGonagall says thats a very imprecise branch of magic .The sky had turned light before they stopped talking .They went to bed exhausted their throats sore .But the nights surprises werent over .When Harry pulled back his sheets he found his Invisibility Cloak folded neatly underneath them .There was a note pinned to it Just in case .THROUGH THE TRAPDOOR In years to come Harry would never quite remember how he had managed to get through his exams when he half expected Voldemort to come bursting through the door at any moment .Yet the days crept by and there could be no doubt that Fluffy was still alive and well behind the locked door .It was sweltering hot especially in the large classroom where they did their written papers .They had been given special new quills for the exams which had been bewitched with an AntiCheating spell .They had practical exams as well .Professor Flitwick called them one by one into his class to see if they could make a pineapple tapdance across a desk .Professor McGonagall watched them turn a mouse into a snuffbox points were given for how pretty the snuffbox was but taken away if it had whiskers .Snape made them all nervous breathing down their necks while they tried to remember how to make a Forgetfulness potion .Harry did the best he could trying to ignore the stabbing pains in his forehead which had been bothering him ever since his trip into the forest .Neville thought Harry had a bad case of exam nerves because Harry couldnt sleep but the truth was that Harry kept being woken by his old nightmare except that it was now worse than ever because there was a hooded figure dripping blood in it .Maybe it was because they hadnt seen what Harry had seen in the forest or because they didnt have scars burning on their foreheads but Ron and Hermione didnt seem as worried about the Stone as Harry .The idea of Voldemort certainly scared them but he didnt keep visiting them in dreams and they were so busy with their studying they didnt have much time to fret about what Snape or anyone else might be up to .Their very last exam was History of Magic .One hour of answering questions about batty old wizards whod invented selfstirring cauldrons and theyd be free free for a whole wonderful week until their exam results came out .When the ghost of Professor Binns told them to put down their quills and roll up their parchment Harry couldnt help cheering with the rest .That was far easier than I thought it would be said Hermione as they joined the crowds flocking out onto the sunny grounds .I neednt have learned about the 1637 Werewolf Code of Conduct or the uprising of Elfric the Eager .Hermione always liked to go through their exam papers afterward but Ron said this made him feel ill so they wandered down to the lake and flopped under a tree .The Weasley twins and Lee Jordan were tickling the tentacles of a giant squid which was basking in the warm shallows .No more studying Ron sighed happily stretching out on the grass .You could look more cheerful Harry weve got a week before we find out how badly weve done theres no need to worry yet .Harry was rubbing his forehead .I wish I knew what this means he burst out angrily .My scar keeps hurting its happened before but never as often as this .Go to Madam Pomfrey Hermione suggested .Im not ill said Harry .I think its a warning .it means dangers coming .Ron couldnt get worked up it was too hot .Harry relax Hermione s right the Stones safe as long as Dumbledores around .Anyway weve never had any proof Snape found out how to get past Fluffy .He nearly had his leg ripped off once hes not going to try it again in a hurry .And Neville will play Quidditch for England before Hagrid lets Dumbledore down .Harry nodded but he couldnt shake off a lurking feeling that there was something hed forgotten to do something important .When he tried to explain this Hermione said Thats just the exams .I woke up last night and was halfway through my Transfiguration notes before I remembered wed done that one .Harry was quite sure the unsettled feeling didnt have anything to do with work though .He watched an owl flutter toward the school across the bright blue sky a note clamped in its mouth .Hagrid was the only one who ever sent him letters .Hagrid would never betray Dumbledore .Hagrid would never tell anyone how to get past Fluffy .never .but Harry suddenly jumped to his feet .Where re you going ?said Ron sleepily .Ive just thought of something said Harry .He had turned white .Weve got to go and see Hagrid now .Why ?panted Hermione hurrying to keep up .Dont you think its a bit odd said Harry scrambling up the grassy slope that what Hagrid wants more than anything else is a dragon and a stranger turns up who just happens to have an egg in his pocket ?How many people wander around with dragon eggs if its against wizard law ?Lucky they found Hagrid dont you think ?Why didnt I see it before ?What are you talking about ?said Ron but Harry sprinting across the grounds toward the forest didnt answer .Hagrid was sitting in an armchair outside his house his trousers and sleeves were rolled up and he was shelling peas into a large bowl .Hullo he said smiling .Finished yer exams ?Got time fer a drink ?Yes please said Ron but Harry cut him off .No were in a hurry .Hagrid Ive got to ask you something .You know that night you won Norbert ?What did the stranger you were playing cards with look like ?Dunno said Hagrid casually he wouldn take his cloak off .He saw the three of them look stunned and raised his eyebrows .Its not that unusual yeh get a lot o funny folk in the Hogs Head thats one o the pubs down in the village .Mighta bin a dragon dealer mightn he ?I never saw his face he kept his hood up .Harry sank down next to the bowl of peas .What did you talk to him about Hagrid ?Did you mention Hogwarts at all ?Mighta come up said Hagrid frowning as he tried to remember .Yeah .he asked what I did an I told him I was gamekeeper here .He asked a bit about the sorta creatures I look after .so I told him .an I said what Id always really wanted was a dragon .an then .I can remember too well cause he kept buyin me drinks .Lets see .yeah then he said he had the dragon egg an we could play cards fer it if I wanted .but he had ter be sure I could handle it he didn want it ter go ter any old home .So I told him after Fluffy a dragon would be easy .And did he did he seem interested in Fluffy ?Harry asked trying to keep his voice calm .Well yeah how many threeheaded dogs dyeh meet even around Hogwarts ?So I told him Fluffys a piece o cake if yeh know how to calm him down jus play him a bit o music an hell go straight off ter sleep Hagrid suddenly looked horrified .I shouldnta told yeh that !he blurted out .Forget I said it !Hey wherere yeh goin ?Harry Ron and Hermione didnt speak to each other at all until they came to a halt in the entrance hall which seemed very cold and gloomy after the grounds .Weve got to go to Dumbledore said Harry .Hagrid told that stranger how to get past Fluffy and it was either Snape or Voldemort under that cloak it mustve been easy once hed got Hagrid drunk .I just hope Dumbledore believes us .Firenze might back us up if Bane doesnt stop him .Wheres Dumbledores office ?They looked around as if hoping to see a sign pointing them in the right direction .They had never been told where Dumbledore lived nor did they know anyone who had been sent to see him .Well just have to Harry began but a voice suddenly rang across the hall .What are you three doing inside ?It was Professor McGonagall carrying a large pile of books .We want to see Professor Dumbledore said Hermione rather bravely Harry and Ron thought .See Professor Dumbledore ?Professor McGonagall repeated as though this was a very fishy thing to want to do .Why ?Harry swallowed now what ?Its sort of secret he said but he wished at once he hadnt because Professor McGonagalls nostrils flared .Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago she said coldly .He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once .Hes gone ?said Harry frantically .Now ?Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard Potter he has many demands on his time But this is important .Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic Potter ?Look said Harry throwing caution to the winds Professor its about the Sorcerers Stone Whatever Professor McGonagall had expected it wasnt that .The books she was carrying tumbled out of her arms but she didnt pick them up .How do you know ?she spluttered .Professor I think I know that Sn that someones going to try and steal the Stone .Ive got to talk to Professor Dumbledore .She eyed him with a mixture of shock and suspicion .Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow she said finally .I dont know how you found out about the Stone but rest assured no one can possibly steal it its too well protected .But Professor Potter I know what Im talking about she said shortly .She bent down and gathered up the fallen books .I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine .But they didnt .Its tonight said Harry once he was sure Professor McGonagall was out of earshot .Snapes going through the trapdoor tonight .Hes found out everything he needs and now hes got Dumbledore out of the way .He sent that note I bet the Ministry of Magic will get a real shock when Dumbledore turns up .But what can we Hermione gasped .Harry and Ron wheeled round .Snape was standing there .Good afternoon he said smoothly .They stared at him .You shouldnt be inside on a day like this he said with an odd twisted smile .We were Harry began without any idea what he was going to say .You want to be more careful said Snape .Hanging around like this people will think youre up to something .And Gryffindor really cant afford to lose any more points can it ?Harry flushed .They turned to go outside but Snape called them back .Be warned Potter any more nighttime wanderings and I will personally make sure you are expelled .Good day to you .He strode off in the direction of the staffroom .Out on the stone steps Harry turned to the others .Right heres what weve got to do he whispered urgently .One of us has got to keep an eye on Snape wait outside the staffroom and follow him if he leaves it .Hermione youd better do that .Why me ?Its obvious said Ron .You can pretend to be waiting for Professor Flitwick you know .He put on a high voice ‘Oh Professor Flitwick Im so worried I think I got question fourteen b wrong .Oh shut up said Hermione but she agreed to go and watch out for Snape .And wed better stay outside the thirdfloor corridor Harry told Ron .Come on .But that part of the plan didnt work .No sooner had they reached the door separating Fluffy from the rest of the school than Professor McGonagall turned up again and this time she lost her temper .I suppose you think youre harder to get past than a pack of enchantments !she stormed .Enough of this nonsense !If I hear youve come anywhere near here again Ill take another fifty points from Gryffindor !Yes Weasley from my own House !Harry and Ron went back to the common room .Harry had just said At least Hermiones on Snapes tail when the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open and Hermione came in .Im sorry Harry !she wailed .Snape came out and asked me what I was doing so I said I was waiting for Flitwick and Snape went to get him and Ive only just got away I dont know where Snape went .Well thats it then isnt it ?Harry said .The other two stared at him .He was pale and his eyes were glittering .Im going out of here tonight and Im going to try and get to the Stone first .Youre mad !said Ron .You cant !said Hermione .After what McGonagall and Snape have said ?Youll be expelled !SO WHAT ?Harry shouted .Dont you understand ?If Snape gets hold of the Stone Voldemorts coming back !Havent you heard what it was like when he was trying to take over ?There wont be any Hogwarts to get expelled from !Hell flatten it or turn it into a school for the Dark Arts !Losing points doesnt matter anymore cant you see ?Dyou think hell leave you and your families alone if Gryffindor wins the House Cup ?If I get caught before I can get to the Stone well Ill have to go back to the Dursleys and wait for Voldemort to find me there its only dying a bit later than I would have because Im never going over to the Dark Side !Im going through that trapdoor tonight and nothing you two say is going to stop me !Voldemort killed my parents remember ?He glared at them .Youre right Harry said Hermione in a small voice .Ill use the Invisibility Cloak said Harry .Its just lucky I got it back .But will it cover all three of us ?said Ron .All all three of us ?Oh come off it you dont think wed let you go alone ?Of course not said Hermione briskly .How do you think youd get to the Stone without us ?Id better go and look through my books there might be something useful .But if we get caught you two will be expelled too .Not if I can help it said Hermione grimly .Flitwick told me in secret that I got a hundred and twelve percent on his exam .Theyre not throwing me out after that .After dinner the three of them sat nervously apart in the common room .Nobody bothered them none of the Gryffindors had anything to say to Harry any more after all .This was the first night he hadnt been upset by it .Hermione was skimming through all her notes hoping to come across one of the enchantments they were about to try to break .Harry and Ron didnt talk much .Both of them were thinking about what they were about to do .Slowly the room emptied as people drifted off to bed .Better get the cloak Ron muttered as Lee Jordan finally left stretching and yawning .Harry ran upstairs to their dark dormitory .He pulled out the cloak and then his eyes fell on the flute Hagrid had given him for Christmas .He pocketed it to use on Fluffy he didnt feel much like singing .He ran back down to the common room .Wed better put the cloak on here and make sure it covers all three of us if Filch spots one of our feet wandering along on its own What are you doing ?said a voice from the corner of the room .Neville appeared from behind an armchair clutching Trevor the toad who looked as though hed been making another bid for freedom .Nothing Neville nothing said Harry hurriedly putting the cloak behind his back .Neville stared at their guilty faces .Youre going out again he said .No no no said Hermione .No were not .Why dont you go to bed Neville ?Harry looked at the grandfather clock by the door .They couldnt afford to waste any more time Snape might even now be playing Fluffy to sleep .You cant go out said Neville youll be caught again .Gryffindor will be in even more trouble .You dont understand said Harry this is important .But Neville was clearly steeling himself to do something desperate .I wont let you do it he said hurrying to stand in front of the portrait hole .Ill Ill fight you !Neville Ron exploded get away from that hole and dont be an idiot Dont you call me an idiot !said Neville .I dont think you should be breaking any more rules !And you were the one who told me to stand up to people !Yes but not to us said Ron in exasperation .Neville you dont know what youre doing .He took a step forward and Neville dropped Trevor the toad who leapt out of sight .Go on then try and hit me !said Neville raising his fists .Im ready !Harry turned to Hermione .Do something he said desperately .Hermione stepped forward .Neville she said Im really really sorry about this .She raised her wand .Petrificus Totalusl she cried pointing it at Neville .Nevilles arms snapped to his sides .His legs sprang together .His whole body rigid he swayed where he stood and then fell flat on his face stiff as a board .Hermione ran to turn him over .Nevilles jaws were jammed together so he couldnt speak .Only his eyes were moving looking at them in horror .Whatve you done to him ?Harry whispered .Its the full BodyBind said Hermione miserably .Oh Neville Im so sorry .We had to Neville no time to explain said Harry .Youll understand later Neville said Ron as they stepped over him and pulled on the Invisibility Cloak .But leaving Neville lying motionless on the floor didnt feel like a very good omen .In their nervous state every statues shadow looked like Filch every distant breath of wind sounded like Peeves swooping down on them .At the foot of the first set of stairs they spotted Mrs Norris skulking near the top .Oh lets kick her just this once Ron whispered in Harrys ear but Harry shook his head .As they climbed carefully around her Mrs Norris turned her lamplike eyes on them but didnt do anything .They didnt meet anyone else until they reached the staircase up to the third floor .Peeves was bobbing halfway up loosening the carpet so that people would trip .Whos there ?he said suddenly as they climbed toward him .He narrowed his wicked black eyes .Know youre there even if I cant see you .Are you ghoulie or ghostie or wee student beastie ?He rose up in the air and floated there squinting at them .Should call Filch I should if somethings acreeping around unseen .Harry had a sudden idea .Peeves he said in a hoarse whisper the Bloody Baron has his own reasons for being invisible .Peeves almost fell out of the air in shock .He caught himself in time and hovered about a foot off the stairs .So sorry your bloodiness Mr Baron sir he said greasily .My mistake my mistake I didnt see you of course I didnt youre invisible forgive old Peevsie his little joke sir .I have business here Peeves croaked Harry .Stay away from this place tonight .I will sir I most certainly will said Peeves rising up in the air again .Hope your business goes well Baron Ill not bother you .And he scooted off .Brilliant Harry !whispered Ron .A few seconds later they were there outside the thirdfloor corridor and the door was already ajar .Well there you are Harry said quietly Snapes already got past Fluffy .Seeing the open door somehow seemed to impress upon all three of them what was facing them .Underneath the cloak Harry turned to the other two .If you want to go back I wont blame you he said .You can take the cloak I wont need it now .Dont be stupid said Ron .Were coming said Hermione .Harry pushed the door open .As the door creaked low rumbling growls met their ears .All three of the dogs noses sniffed madly in their direction even though it couldnt see them .Whats that at its feet ?Hermione whispered .Looks like a harp said Ron .Snape must have left it there .It must wake up the moment you stop playing said Harry .Well here goes .He put Hagrids flute to his lips and blew .It wasnt really a tune but from the first note the beasts eyes began to droop .Harry hardly drew breath .Slowly the dogs growls ceased it tottered on its paws and fell to its knees then it slumped to the ground fast asleep .Keep playing Ron warned Harry as they slipped out of the cloak and crept toward the trapdoor .They could feel the dogs hot smelly breath as they approached the giant heads .I think well be able to pull the door open said Ron peering over the dogs back .Want to go first Hermione ?No I dont !All right .Ron gritted his teeth and stepped carefully over the dogs legs .He bent and pulled the ring of the trapdoor which swung up and open .What can you see ?Hermione said anxiously .Nothing just black theres no way of climbing down well just have to drop .Harry who was still playing the flute waved at Ron to get his attention and pointed at himself .You want to go first ?Are you sure ?said Ron .I dont know how deep this thing goes .Give the flute to Hermione so she can keep him asleep .Harry handed the flute over .In the few seconds silence the dog growled and twitched but the moment Hermione began to play it fell back into its deep sleep .Harry climbed over it and looked down through the trapdoor .There was no sign of the bottom .He lowered himself through the hole until he was hanging on by his fingertips .Then he looked up at Ron and said If anything happens to me dont follow .Go straight to the owlery and send Hedwig to Dumbledore right ?Right said Ron .See you in a minute I hope .And Harry let go .Cold damp air rushed past him as he fell down down down and FLUMP .With a funny muffled sort of thump he landed on something soft .He sat up and felt around his eyes not used to the gloom .It felt as though he was sitting on some sort of plant .Its okay !he called up to the light the size of a postage stamp which was the open trapdoor its a soft landing you can jump !Ron followed right away .He landed sprawled next to Harry .Whats this stuff ?were his first words .Dunno some sort of plant thing .I suppose its here to break the fall .Come on Hermione !The distant music stopped .There was a loud bark from the dog but Hermione had already jumped .She landed on Harrys other side .We must be miles under the school she said .Lucky this plant things here really said Ron .Lucky shrieked Hermione .Look at you both !She leapt up and struggled toward a damp wall .She had to struggle because the moment she had landed the plant had started to twist snakelike tendrils around her ankles .As for Harry and Ron their legs had already been bound tightly in long creepers without their noticing .Hermione had managed to free herself before the plant got a firm grip on her .Now she watched in horror as the two boys fought to pull the plant off them but the more they strained against it the tighter and faster the plant wound around them .Stop moving !Hermione ordered them .I know what this is its Devils Snare !Oh Im so glad we know what its called thats a great help snarled Ron leaning back trying to stop the plant from curling around his neck .Shut up Im trying to remember how to kill it !said Hermione .Well hurry up I cant breathe !Harry gasped wrestling with it as it curled around his chest .Devils Snare Devils Snare .what did Professor Sprout say ?it likes the dark and the damp So light a fire !Harry choked .Yes of course but theres no wood !Hermione cried wringing her hands .HAVE YOU GONE MAD ?Ron bellowed .ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT ?Oh right !said Hermione and she whipped out her wand waved it muttered something and sent a jet of the same bluebell flames she had used on Snape at the plant .In a matter of seconds the two boys felt it loosening its grip as it cringed away from the light and warmth .Wriggling and flailing it unraveled itself from their bodies and they were able to pull free .Lucky you pay attention in Herbology Hermione said Harry as he joined her by the wall wiping sweat off his face .Yeah said Ron and lucky Harry doesnt lose his head in a crisis ‘theres no wood honestly .This way said Harry pointing down a stone passageway which was the only way forward .All they could hear apart from their footsteps was the gentle drip of water trickling down the walls .The passageway sloped downward and Harry was reminded of Gringotts .With an unpleasant jolt of the heart he remembered the dragons said to be guarding vaults in the wizards bank .If they met a dragon a fullygrown dragon Norbert had been bad enough .Can you hear something ?Ron whispered .Harry listened .A soft rustling and clinking seemed to be coming from up ahead .Do you think its a ghost ?I dont know .sounds like wings to me .Theres light ahead I can see something moving .They reached the end of the passageway and saw before them a brilliantly lit chamber its ceiling arching high above them .It was full of small jewel bright birds fluttering and tumbling all around the room .On the opposite side of the chamber was a heavy wooden door .Do you think theyll attack us if we cross the room ?said Ron .Probably said Harry .They dont look very vicious but I suppose if they all swooped down at once .well theres no other choice .Ill run .He took a deep breath covered his face with his arms and sprinted across the room .He expected to feel sharp beaks and claws tearing at him any second but nothing happened .He reached the door untouched .He pulled the handle but it was locked .The other two followed him .They tugged and heaved at the door but it wouldnt budge not even when Hermione tried her Alohomora Charm .Now what ?said Ron .These birds .they cant be here just for decoration said Hermione .They watched the birds soaring overhead glittering glittering ?Theyre not birds !Harry said suddenly .Theyre keys Winged keys look carefully .So that must mean .he looked around the chamber while the other two squinted up at the flock of keys .yes look !Broomsticks !Weve got to catch the key to the door !But there are hundreds of them !Ron examined the lock on the door .Were looking for a big oldfashioned one probably silver like the handle .They each seized a broomstick and kicked off into the air soaring into the midst of the cloud of keys .They grabbed and snatched but the bewitched keys darted and dived so quickly it was almost impossible to catch one .Not for nothing though was Harry the youngest Seeker in a century .He had a knack for spotting things other people didnt .After a minutes weaving about through the whirl of rainbow feathers he noticed a large silver key that had a bent wing as if it had already been caught and stuffed roughly into the keyhole .That one !he called to the others .That big one there no there with bright blue wings the feathers are all crumpled on one side .Ron went speeding in the direction that Harry was pointing crashed into the ceiling and nearly fell off his broom .Weve got to close in on it !Harry called not taking his eyes off the key with the damaged wing .Ron you come at it from above Hermione stay below and stop it from going down and Ill try and catch it .Right NOW !Ron dived Hermione rocketed upward the key dodged them both and Harry streaked after it it sped toward the wall Harry leaned forward and with a nasty crunching noise pinned it against the stone with one hand .Ron and Hermione s cheers echoed around the high chamber .They landed quickly and Harry ran to the door the key struggling in his hand .He rammed it into the lock and turned it worked .The moment the lock had clicked open the key took flight again looking very battered now that it had been caught twice .Ready ?Harry asked the other two his hand on the door handle .They nodded .He pulled the door open .The next chamber was so dark they couldnt see anything at all .But as they stepped into it light suddenly flooded the room to reveal an astonishing sight .They were standing on the edge of a huge chessboard behind the black chessmen which were all taller than they were and carved from what looked like black stone .Facing them way across the chamber were the white pieces .Harry Ron and Hermione shivered slightly the towering white chessmen had no faces .Now what do we do ?Harry whispered .Its obvious isnt it ?said Ron .Weve got to play our way across the room .Behind the white pieces they could see another door .How ?said Hermione nervously .I think said Ron were going to have to be chessmen .He walked up to a black knight and put his hand out to touch the knights horse .At once the stone sprang to life .The horse pawed the ground and the knight turned his helmeted head to look down at Ron .Do we er have to join you to get across ?The black knight nodded .Ron turned to the other two .This needs thinking about .he said .I suppose weve got to take the place of three of the black pieces .Harry and Hermione stayed quiet watching Ron think .Finally he said Now dont be offended or anything but neither of you are that good at chess Were not offended said Harry quickly .Just tell us what to do .Well Harry you take the place of that bishop and Hermione you go there instead of that castle .What about you ?Im going to be a knight said Ron .The chessmen seemed to have been listening because at these words a knight a bishop and a castle turned their backs on the white pieces and walked off the board leaving three empty squares that Harry Ron and Hermione took .White always plays first in chess said Ron peering across the board .Yes .look .A white pawn had moved forward two squares .Ron started to direct the black pieces .They moved silently wherever he sent them .Harrys knees were trembling .What if they lost ?Harry move diagonally four squares to the right .Their first real shock came when their other knight was taken .The white queen smashed him to the floor and dragged him off the board where he lay quite still facedown .Had to let that happen said Ron looking shaken .Leaves you free to take that bishop Hermione go on .Every time one of their men was lost the white pieces showed no mercy .Soon there was a huddle of limp black players slumped along the wall .Twice Ron only just noticed in time that Harry and Hermione were in danger .He himself darted around the board taking almost as many white pieces as they had lost black ones .Were nearly there he muttered suddenly .Let me think let me think .The white queen turned her blank face toward him .Yes .said Ron softly its the only way .Ive got to be taken .NO !Harry and Hermione shouted .Thats chess !snapped Ron .Youve got to make some sacrifices !I make my move and shell take me that leaves you free to checkmate the king Harry !But Do you want to stop Snape or not ?Ron Look if you dont hurry up hell already have the Stone !There was no alternative .Ready ?Ron called his face pale but determined .Here I go now dont hang around once youve won .He stepped forward and the white queen pounced .She struck Ron hard across the head with her stone arm and he crashed to the floor Hermione screamed but stayed on her square the white queen dragged Ron to one side .He looked as if hed been knocked out .Shaking Harry moved three spaces to the left .The white king took off his crown and threw it at Harrys feet .They had won .The chessmen parted and bowed leaving the door ahead clear .With one last desperate look back at Ron Harry and Hermione charged through the door and up the next passageway .What if hes ?Hell be all right said Harry trying to convince himself .What do you reckons next ?Weve had Sprouts that was the Devils Snare Flitwick mustve put charms on the keys McGonagall transfigured the chessmen to make them alive that leaves Quirrells spell and Snapes .They had reached another door .All right ?Harry whispered .Go on .Harry pushed it open .A disgusting smell filled their nostrils making both of them pull their robes up over their noses .Eyes watering they saw flat on the floor in front of them a troll even larger than the one they had tackled out cold with a bloody lump on its head .Im glad we didnt have to fight that one Harry whispered as they stepped carefully over one of its massive legs .Come on I cant breathe .He pulled open the next door both of them hardly daring to look at what came next but there was nothing very frightening in here just a table with seven differently shaped bottles standing on it in a line .Snapes said Harry .What do we have to do ?They stepped over the threshold and immediately a fire sprang up behind them in the doorway .It wasnt ordinary fire either it was purple .At the same instant black flames shot up in the doorway leading onward .They were trapped .Look !Hermione seized a roll of paper lying next to the bottles .Harry looked over her shoulder to read it Danger lies before you while safety lies behind Two of us will help you whichever you would find One among us seven will let you move ahead Another will transport the drinker back instead Two among our number hold only nettle wine Three of us are killers waiting hidden in line .Choose unless you wish to stay here forevermore To help you in your choice we give you these clues four First however slyly the poison tries to hide You will always find some on nettle wines left side Second different are those who stand at either end But if you would move onward neither is your friend Third as you see clearly all are different size Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides Fourth the second left and the second on the right Are twins once you taste them though different at first sight Hermione let out a great sigh and Harry amazed saw that she was smiling the very last thing he felt like doing .Brilliant said Hermione .This isnt magic its logic a puzzle .A lot of the greatest wizards havent got an ounce of logic theyd be stuck in here forever .But so will we wont we ?Of course not said Hermione .Everything we need is here on this paper .Seven bottles three are poison two are wine one will get us safely through the black fire and one will get us back through the purple .But how do we know which to drink ?Give me a minute .Hermione read the paper several times .Then she walked up and down the line of bottles muttering to herself and pointing at them .At last she clapped her hands .Got it she said .The smallest bottle will get us through the black fire toward the Stone .Harry looked at the tiny bottle .Theres only enough there for one of us he said .Thats hardly one swallow .They looked at each other .Which one will get you back through the purple flames ?Hermione pointed at a rounded bottle at the right end of the line .You drink that said Harry .No listen get back and get Ron .Grab brooms from the flyingkey room theyll get you out of the trapdoor and past Fluffy go straight to the owlery and send Hedwig to Dumbledore we need him .I might be able to hold Snape off for a while but Im no match for him really .But Harry what if YouKnow Whos with him ?Well I was lucky once wasnt I ?said Harry pointing at his scar .I might get lucky again .Hermiones lip trembled and she suddenly dashed at Harry and threw her arms around him .Hermionel Harry youre a great wizard you know .Im not as good as you said Harry very embarrassed as she let go of him .Me !said Hermione .Books !And cleverness !There are more important things friendship and bravery and oh Harry be carefull You drink first said Harry .You are sure which is which arent you ?Positive said Hermione .She took a long drink from the round bottle at the end and shuddered .Its not poison ?said Harry anxiously .No but its like ice .Quick go before it wears off .Good luck take care GO !Hermione turned and walked straight through the purple fire .Harry took a deep breath and picked up the smallest bottle .He turned to face the black flames .Here I come he said and he drained the little bottle in one gulp .It was indeed as though ice was flooding his body .He put the bottle down and walked forward he braced himself saw the black flames licking his body but couldnt feel them for a moment he could see nothing but dark fire then he was on the other side in the last chamber .There was already someone there but it wasnt Snape .It wasnt even Voldemort .THE MAN WITH TWO FACES It was Quirrell .You gasped Harry .Quirrell smiled .His face wasnt twitching at all .Me he said calmly .I wondered whether Id be meeting you here Potter .But I thought Snape Severus ?Quirrell laughed and it wasnt his usual quivering treble either but cold and sharp .Yes Severus does seem the type doesnt he ?So useful to have him swooping around like an overgrown bat .Next to him who would suspect pppoor st stuttering PProfessor Quirrell ?Harry couldnt take it in .This couldnt be true it couldnt .But Snape tried to kill me !No no no .tried to kill you .Your friend Miss Granger accidentally knocked me over as she rushed to set fire to Snape at that Quidditch match .She broke my eye contact with you .Another few seconds and Id have got you off that broom .Id have managed it before then if Snape hadnt been muttering a countercurse trying to save you .Snape was trying to save me ?Of course said Quirrell coolly .Why do you think he wanted to referee your next match ?He was trying to make sure I didnt do it again .Funny really .he neednt have bothered .I couldnt do anything with Dumbledore watching .All the other teachers thought Snape was trying to stop Gryffindor from winning he did make himself unpopular .and what a waste of time when after all that Im going to kill you tonight .Quirrell snapped his fingers .Ropes sprang out of thin air and wrapped themselves tightly around Harry .Youre too nosy to live Potter .Scurrying around the school on Halloween like that for all I knew youd seen me coming to look at what was guarding the Stone .You let the troll in ?Certainly .I have a special gift with trolls you must have seen what I did to the one in the chamber back there ?Unfortunately while everyone else was running around looking for it Snape who already suspected me went straight to the third floor to head me off and not only did my troll fail to beat you to death that threeheaded dog didnt even manage to bite Snape s leg off properly .Now wait quietly Potter .I need to examine this interesting mirror .It was only then that Harry realized what was standing behind Quirrell .It was the Mirror of Erised .This mirror is the key to finding the Stone Quirrell murmured tapping his way around the frame .Trust Dumbledore to come up with something like this .but hes in London .Ill be far away by the time he gets back .All Harry could think of doing was to keep Quirrell talking and stop him from concentrating on the mirror .I saw you and Snape in the forest he blurted out .Yes said Quirrell idly walking around the mirror to look at the back .He was on to me by that time trying to find out how far Id got .He suspected me all along .Tried to frighten me as though he could when I had Lord Voldemort on my side .Quirrell came back out from behind the mirror and stared hungrily into it .I see the Stone .Im presenting it to my master .but where is it ?Harry struggled against the ropes binding him but they didnt give .He had to keep Quirrell from giving his whole attention to the mirror .But Snape always seemed to hate me so much .Oh he does said Quirrell casually heavens yes .He was at Hogwarts with your father didnt you know ?They loathed each other .But he never wanted you dead .But I heard you a few days ago sobbing I thought Snape was threatening you .For the first time a spasm of fear flitted across Quirrells face .Sometimes he said I find it hard to follow my masters instructions he is a great wizard and I am weak You mean he was there in the classroom with you ?Harry gasped .He is with me wherever I go said Quirrell quietly .I met him when I traveled around the world .A foolish young man I was then full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil .Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was .There is no good and evil there is only power and those too weak to seek it .Since then I have served him faithfully although I have let him down many times .He has had to be very hard on me .Quirrell shivered suddenly .He does not forgive mistakes easily .When I failed to steal the Stone from Gringotts he was most displeased .He punished me .decided he would have to keep a closer watch on me .Quirrells voice trailed away .Harry was remembering his trip to Diagon Alley how could he have been so stupid ?Hed seen Quirrell there that very day shaken hands with him in the Leaky Cauldron .Quirrell cursed under his breath .I dont understand .is the Stone inside the mirror ?Should I break it ?Harrys mind was racing .What I want more than anything else in the world at the moment he thought is to find the Stone before Quirrell does .So if I look in the mirror I should see my self finding it which means Ill see where its hidden !But how can I look without Quirrell realizing what Im up to ?He tried to edge to the left to get in front of the glass without Quirrell noticing but the ropes around his ankles were too tight he tripped and fell over .Quirrell ignored him .He was still talking to himself .What does this mirror do ?How does it work ?Help me Master !And to Harrys horror a voice answered and the voice seemed to come from Quirrell himself .Use the boy .Use the boy .Quirrell rounded on Harry .Yes Potter come here .He clapped his hands once and the ropes binding Harry fell off .Harry got slowly to his feet .Come here Quirrell repeated .Look in the mirror and tell me what you see .Harry walked toward him .I must lie he thought desperately .I must look and lie about what I see thats all .Quirrell moved close behind him .Harry breathed in the funny smell that seemed to come from Quirrells turban .He closed his eyes stepped in front of the mirror and opened them again .He saw his reflection pale and scaredlooking at first .But a moment later the reflection smiled at him .It put its hand into its pocket and pulled out a blood red stone .It winked and put the Stone back in its pocket and as it did so Harry felt something heavy drop into his real pocket .Somehow incredibly hed gotten the Stone .Well ?said Quirrell impatiently .What do you see ?Harry screwed up his courage .I see myself shaking hands with Dumbledore he invented .I Ive won the House Cup for Gryffindor .Quirrell cursed again .Get out of the way he said .As Harry moved aside he felt the Sorcerers Stone against his leg .Dare he make a break for it ?But he hadnt walked five paces before a high voice spoke though Quirrell wasnt moving his lips .He lies .He lies .Potter come back here !Quirrell shouted .Tell me the truth !What did you just see ?The high voice spoke again .Let me speak to him .facetoface .Master you are not strong enough !I have strength enough .for this .Harry felt as if Devils Snare was rooting him to the spot .He couldnt move a muscle .Petrified he watched as Quirrell reached up and began to unwrap his turban .What was going on ?The turban fell away .Quirrells head looked strangely small without it .Then he turned slowly on the spot .Harry would have screamed but he couldnt make a sound .Where there should have been a back to Quirrells head there was a face the most terrible face Harry had ever seen .It was chalk white with glaring red eyes and slits for nostrils like a snake .Harry Potter .it whispered .Harry tried to take a step backward but his legs wouldnt move .See what I have become ?the face said .Mere shadow and vapor .I have form only when I can share anothers body .but there have always been those willing to let me into their hearts and minds .Unicorn blood has strengthened me these past weeks .you saw faithful Quirrell drinking it for me in the forest .and once I have the Elixir of Life I will be able to create a body of my own .Now .why dont you give me that Stone in your pocket ?So he knew .The feeling suddenly surged back into Harrys legs .He stumbled backward .Dont be a fool snarled the face .Better save your own life and join me .or youll meet the same end as your parents .They died begging me for mercy .LIAR !Harry shouted suddenly .Quirrell was walking backward at him so that Voldemort could still see him .The evil face was now smiling .How touching .it hissed .I always value bravery . .Yes boy your parents were brave .I killed your father first and he put up a courageous fight .but your mother neednt have died .she was trying to protect you .Now give me the Stone unless you want her to have died in vain .NEVER !Harry sprang toward the flame door but Voldemort screamed SEIZE HIM !and the next second Harry felt Quirrells hand close on his wrist .At once a needlesharp pain seared across Harrys scar his head felt as though it was about to split in two he yelled struggling with all his might and to his surprise Quirrell let go of him .The pain in his head lessened he looked around wildly to see where Quirrell had gone and saw him hunched in pain looking at his fingers they were blistering before his eyes .Seize him !SEIZE HIM !shrieked Voldemort again and Quirrell lunged knocking Harry clean off his feet landing on top of him both hands around Harrys neck Harrys scar was almost blinding him with pain yet he could see Quirrell howling in agony .Master I cannot hold him my hands my hands !And Quirrell though pinning Harry to the ground with his knees let go of his neck and stared bewildered at his own palms Harry could see they looked burned raw red and shiny .Then kill him fool and be done !screeched Voldemort .Quirrell raised his hand to perform a deadly curse but Harry by instinct reached up and grabbed Quirrells face aaRGH !Quirrell rolled off him his face blistering too and then Harry knew Quirrell couldnt touch his bare skin not without suffering terrible pain his only chance was to keep hold of Quirrell keep him in enough pain to stop him from doing a curse .Harry jumped to his feet caught Quirrell by the arm and hung on as tight as he could .Quirrell screamed and tried to throw Harry off the pain in Harrys head was building he couldnt see he could only hear Quirrells terrible shrieks and Voldemorts yells of KILL HIM !KILL HIM !and other voices maybe in Harrys own head crying Harry !Harry !He felt Quirrells arm wrenched from his grasp knew all was lost and fell into blackness down .down .down .Something gold was glinting just above him .The Snitch !He tried to catch it but his arms were too heavy .He blinked .It wasnt the Snitch at all .It was a pair of glasses .How strange .He blinked again .The smiling face of Albus Dumbledore swam into view above him .Good afternoon Harry said Dumbledore .Harry stared at him .Then he remembered Sir !The Stone !It was Quirrell !Hes got the Stone !Sir quick Calm yourself dear boy you are a little behind the times said Dumbledore .Quirrell does not have the Stone .Then who does ?Sir I Harry please relax or Madam Pomfrey will have me thrown out .Harry swallowed and looked around him .He realized he must be in the hospital wing .He was lying in a bed with white linen sheets and next to him was a table piled high with what looked like half the candy shop .Tokens from your friends and admirers said Dumbledore beaming .What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret so naturally the whole school knows .I believe your friends Misters Fred and George Weasley were responsible for trying to send you a toilet seat .No doubt they thought it would amuse you .Madam Pomfrey however felt it might not be very hygienic and confiscated it .How long have I been in here ?Three days .Mr Ronald Weasley and Miss Granger will be most relieved you have come round they have been extremely worried .But sir the Stone I see you are not to be distracted .Very well the Stone .Professor Quirrell did not manage to take it from you .I arrived in time to prevent that although you were doing very well on your own I must say .You got there ?You got Hermiones owl ?We must have crossed in midair .No sooner had I reached London than it became clear to me that the place I should be was the one I had just left .I arrived just in time to pull Quirrell off you It was you .I feared I might be too late .You nearly were I couldnt have kept him off the Stone much longer Not the Stone boy you the effort involved nearly killed you .For one terrible moment there I was afraid it had .As for the Stone it has been destroyed .Destroyed ?said Harry blankly .But your friend Nicolas Flamel Oh you know about Nicolas ?said Dumbledore sounding quite delighted .You did do the thing properly didnt you ?Well Nicolas and I have had a little chat and agreed its all for the best .But that means he and his wife will die wont they ?They have enough Elixir stored to set their affairs in order and then yes they will die .Dumbledore smiled at the look of amazement on Harrys face .To one as young as you Im sure it seems incredible but to Nicolas and Perenelle it really is like going to bed after a very very long day .After all to the well organized mind death is but the next great adventure .You know the Stone was really not such a wonderful thing .As much money and life as you could want !The two things most human beings would choose above all the trouble is humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them .Harry lay there lost for words .Dumbledore hummed a little and smiled at the ceiling .Sir ?said Harry .Ive been thinking .Sir even if the Stones gone Vol I mean YouKnowWho Call him Voldemort Harry .Always use the proper name for things .Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself .Yes sir .Well Voldemorts going to try other ways of coming back isnt he ?I mean he hasnt gone has he ?No Harry he has not .He is still out there somewhere perhaps looking for another body to share .not being truly alive he cannot be killed .He left Quirrell to die he shows just as little mercy to his followers as his enemies .Nevertheless Harry while you may only have delayed his return to power it will merely take someone else who is prepared to fight what seems a losing battle next time and if he is delayed again and again why he may never return to power .Harry nodded but stopped quickly because it made his head hurt .Then he said Sir there are some other things Id like to know if you can tell me .things I want to know the truth about .The truth .Dumbledore sighed .It is a beautiful and terrible thing and should therefore be treated with great caution .However I shall answer your questions unless I have a very good reason not to in which case I beg you 11 forgive me .I shall not of course lie .Well .Voldemort said that he only killed my mother because she tried to stop him from killing me .But why would he want to kill me in the first place ?Dumbledore sighed very deeply this time .Alas the first thing you ask me I cannot tell you .Not today .Not now .You will know one day .put it from your mind for now Harry .When you are older .I know you hate to hear this .when you are ready you will know .And Harry knew it would be no good to argue .But why couldnt Quirrell touch me ?Your mother died to save you .If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand it is love .He didnt realize that love as powerful as your mothers for you leaves its own mark .Not a scar no visible sign .to have been loved so deeply even though the person who loved us is gone will give us some protection forever .It is in your very skin .Quirrell full of hatred greed and ambition sharing his soul with Voldemort could not touch you for this reason .It was agony to touch a person marked by something so good .Dumbledore now became very interested in a bird out on the windowsill which gave Harry time to dry his eyes on the sheet .When he had found his voice again Harry said And the Invisibility Cloak do you know who sent it to me ?Ah your father happened to leave it in my possession and I thought you might like it .Dumbledores eyes twinkled .Useful things .your father used it mainly for sneaking off to the kitchens to steal food when he was here .And theres something else .Fire away .Quirrell said Snape Professor Snape Harry .Yes him Quirrell said he hates me because he hated my father .Is that true ?Well they did rather detest each other .Not unlike yourself and Mr Malfoy .And then your father did something Snape could never forgive .What ?He saved his life .What ?Yes .said Dumbledore dreamily .Funny the way peoples minds work isnt it ?Professor Snape couldnt bear being in your fathers debt .I do believe he worked so hard to protect you this year because he felt that would make him and your father even .Then he could go back to hating your fathers memory in peace .Harry tried to understand this but it made his head pound so he stopped .And sir theres one more thing .Just the one ?How did I get the Stone out of the mirror ?Ah now Im glad you asked me that .It was one of my more brilliant ideas and between you and me thats saying something .You see only one who wanted to find the Stone find it but not use it would be able to get it otherwise theyd just see themselves making gold or drinking Elixir of Life .My brain surprises even me sometimes .Now enough questions .I suggest you make a start on these sweets .Ah !Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans !I was unfortunate enough in my youth to come across a vomitflavored one and since then Im afraid Ive rather lost my liking for them but I think Ill be safe with a nice toffee dont you ?He smiled and popped the goldenbrown bean into his mouth .Then he choked and said Alas !Ear wax !Madam Pomfrey the nurse was a nice woman but very strict .Just five minutes Harry pleaded .Absolutely not .You let Professor Dumbledore in .Well of course that was the headmaster quite different .You need rest .I am resting look lying down and everything .Oh go on Madam Pomfrey .Oh very well she said .But five minutes only .And she let Ron and Hermione in .Harryl Hermione looked ready to fling her arms around him again but Harry was glad she held herself in as his head was still very sore .Oh Harry we were sure you were going to Dumbledore was so worried The whole schools talking about it said Ron .What really happened ?It was one of those rare occasions when the true story is even more strange and exciting than the wild rumors .Harry told them everything Quirrell the mirror the Stone and Voldemort .Ron and Hermione were a very good audience they gasped in all the right places and when Harry told them what was under Quirrells turban Hermione screamed out loud .So the Stones gone ?said Ron finally .Flamels just going to die ?Thats what I said but Dumbledore thinks that what was it ? ‘to the wellorganized mind death is but the next great adventure .I always said he was off his rocker said Ron looking quite impressed at how crazy his hero was .So what happened to you two ?said Harry .Well I got back all right said Hermione .I brought Ron round that took a while and we were dashing up to the owlery to contact Dumbledore when we met him in the entrance hall he already knew he just said ‘Harrys gone after him hasnt he ?and hurtled off to the third floor .Dyou think he meant you to do it ?said Ron .Sending you your fathers cloak and everything ?Well Hermione exploded if he did I mean to say thats terrible you could have been killed .No it isnt said Harry thoughtfully .Hes a funny man Dumbledore .I think he sort of wanted to give me a chance .I think he knows more or less everything that goes on here you know .I reckon he had a pretty good idea we were going to try and instead of stopping us he just taught us enough to help .I dont think it was an accident he let me find out how the mirror worked .Its almost like he thought I had the right to face Voldemort if I could .Yeah Dumbledores off his rocker all right said Ron proudly .Listen youve got to be up for the end ofyear feast tomorrow .The points are all in and Slytherin won of course you missed the last Quidditch match we were steamrollered by Ravenclaw without you but the foodll be good .At that moment Madam Pomfrey bustled over .Youve had nearly fifteen minutes now OUT she said firmly . •k k k After a good nights sleep Harry felt nearly back to normal .I want to go to the feast he told Madam Pomfrey as she straightened his many candy boxes .I can cant I ?Professor Dumbledore says you are to be allowed to go she said sniffily as though in her opinion Professor Dumbledore didnt realize how risky feasts could be .And you have another visitor .Oh good said Harry .Who is it ?Hagrid sidled through the door as he spoke .As usual when he was indoors Hagrid looked too big to be allowed .He sat down next to Harry took one look at him and burst into tears .Its all my ruddy fault !he sobbed his face in his hands .I told the evil git how ter get past Fluffy !I told him !It was the only thing he didnt know an I told him !Yeh couldve died !All fer a dragon egg !Ill never drink again !I should be chucked out an made ter live as a Muggle !Hagrid !said Harry shocked to see Hagrid shaking with grief and remorse great tears leaking down into his beard .Hagrid hed have found out somehow this is Voldemort were talking about hed have found out even if you hadnt told him .Yeh couldve died !sobbed Hagrid .An don say the name !VOLDEMORT !Harry bellowed and Hagrid was so shocked he stopped crying .Ive met him and Im calling him by his name .Please cheer up Hagrid we saved the Stone its gone he cant use it .Have a Chocolate Frog Ive got loads .Hagrid wiped his nose on the back of his hand and said That reminds me .Ive got yeh a present .Its not a stoat sandwich is it ?said Harry anxiously and at last Hagrid gave a weak chuckle .Nah .Dumbledore gave me the day off yesterday ter fix it .Course he shoulda sacked me instead anyway got y eh this .It seemed to be a handsome leathercovered book .Harry opened it curiously .It was full of wizard photographs .Smiling and waving at him from every page were his mother and father .Sent owls off ter all yer parents old school friends askin fer photos .knew yeh didn have any .dyeh like it ?Harry couldnt speak but Hagrid understood .Harry made his way down to the endofyear feast alone that night .He had been held up by Madam Pomfreys fussing about insisting on giving him one last checkup so the Great Hall was already full .It was decked out in the Slytherin colors of green and silver to celebrate Slytherin s winning the House Cup for the seventh year in a row .A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table .When Harry walked in there was a sudden hush and then everybody started talking loudly at once .He slipped into a seat between Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table and tried to ignore the fact that people were standing up to look at him .Fortunately Dumbledore arrived moments later .The babble died away .Another year gone !Dumbledore said cheerfully .And I must trouble you with an old mans wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast .What a year it has been !Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were .you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts .Now as I understand it the House Cup here needs awarding and the points stand thus In fourth place Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points in third Hufflepuff with three hundred and fiftytwo Ravenclaw has four hundred and twentysix and Slytherin four hundred and seventy two .A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table .Harry could see Draco Malfoy banging his goblet on the table .It was a sickening sight .Yes yes well done Slytherin said Dumbledore .However recent events must be taken into account .The room went very still .The Slytherins smiles faded a little .Ahem said Dumbledore .I have a few lastminute points to dish out .Let me see .Yes .First to Mr Ronald Weasley .Ron went purple in the face he looked like a radish with a bad sunburn . .for the bestplayed game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years I award Gryffindor House fifty points .Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling the stars overhead seemed to quiver .Percy could be heard telling the other prefects My brother you know !My youngest brother !Got past McGonagalls giant chess set !At last there was silence again .Second to Miss Hermione Granger .for the use of cool logic in the face of fire I award Gryffindor House fifty points .Hermione buried her face in her arms Harry strongly suspected she had burst into tears .Gryffindors up and down the table were beside themselves they were a hundred points up .Third to Mr Harry Potter .said Dumbledore .The room went deadly quiet .for pure nerve and outstanding courage I award Gryffindor House sixty points .The din was deafening .Those who could add up while yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor now had four hundred and seventytwo points exactly the same as Slytherin .They had tied for the House Cup if only Dumbledore had given Harry just one more point .Dumbledore raised his hand .The room gradually fell silent .There are all kinds of courage said Dumbledore smiling .It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies but just as much to stand up to our friends .I therefore award ten points to Mr Neville Longbottom .Someone standing outside the Great Hall might well have thought some sort of explosion had taken place so loud was the noise that erupted from the Gryffindor table .Harry Ron and Hermione stood up to yell and cheer as Neville white with shock disappeared under a pile of people hugging him .He had never won so much as a point for Gryffindor before .Harry still cheering nudged Ron in the ribs and pointed at Malfoy who couldnt have looked more stunned and horrified if hed just had the BodyBind Curse put on him .Which means Dumbledore called over the storm of applause for even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin we need a little change of decoration .He clapped his hands .In an instant the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place .Snape was shaking Professor McGonagalls hand with a horrible forced smile .He caught Harrys eye and Harry knew at once that Snape s feelings toward him hadnt changed one jot .This didnt worry Harry .It seemed as though life would be back to normal next year or as normal as it ever was at Hogwarts .It was the best evening of Harrys life better than winning at Quidditch or Christmas or knocking out mountain trolls .he would never ever forget tonight .Harry had almost forgotten that the exam results were still to come but come they did .To their great surprise both he and Ron passed with good marks Hermione of course had the best grades of the first years .Even Neville scraped through his good Herbology mark making up for his abysmal Potions one .They had hoped that Goyle who was almost as stupid as he was mean might be thrown out but he had passed too .It was a shame but as Ron said you couldnt have everything in life .And suddenly their wardrobes were empty their trunks were packed Nevilles toad was found lurking in a corner of the toilets notes were handed out to all students warning them not to use magic over the holidays I always hope theyll forget to give us these said Fred Weasley sadly Hagrid was there to take them down to the fleet of boats that sailed across the lake they were boarding the Hogwarts Express talking and laughing as the countryside became greener and tidier eating Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans as they sped past Muggle towns pulling off their wizard robes and putting on jackets and coats pulling into platform nine and threequarters at Kings Cross station .It took quite a while for them all to get off the platform .A wizened old guard was up by the ticket barrier letting them go through the gate in twos and threes so they didnt attract attention by all bursting out of a solid wall at once and alarming the Muggles .You must come and stay this summer said Ron both of you Ill send you an owl .Thanks said Harry Ill need something to look forward to .People jostled them as they moved forward toward the gateway back to the Muggle world .Some of them called Bye Harry !See you Potter !Still famous said Ron grinning at him .Not where Im going I promise you said Harry .He Ron and Hermione passed through the gateway together .There he is Mom there he is look !It was Ginny Weasley Rons younger sister but she wasnt pointing at Ron .Harry Potter !she squealed .Look Mom !I can see Be quiet Ginny and its rude to point .Mrs Weasley smiled down at them .Busy year ?she said .Very said Harry .Thanks for the fudge and the sweater Mrs Weasley .Oh it was nothing dear .Ready are you ?It was Uncle Vernon still purplefaced still mustached still looking furious at the nerve of Harry carrying an owl in a cage in a station full of ordinary people .Behind him stood Aunt Petunia and Dudley looking terrified at the very sight of Harry .You must be Harrys family !said Mrs Weasley .In a manner of speaking said Uncle Vernon .Hurry up boy we havent got all day .He walked away .Harry hung back for a last word with Ron and Hermione .See you over the summer then .Hope you have er a good holiday said Hermione looking uncertainly after Uncle Vernon shocked that anyone could be so unpleasant .Oh I will said Harry and they were surprised at the grin that was spreading over his face .They dont know were not allowed to use magic at home .Im going to have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer .THE WORST BIRTHDAY Not for the first time an argument had broken out over breakfast at number four Privet Drive .Mr Vernon Dursley had been woken in the early hours of the morning by a loud hooting noise from his nephew Harrys room .Third time this week !he roared across the table .If you cant control that owl itll have to go !Harry tried yet again to explain .Shes bored he said .Shes used to flying around outside .If I could just let her out at night Do I look stupid ?snarled Uncle Vernon a bit of fried egg dangling from his bushy mustache .I know what 11 happen if that owls let out .He exchanged dark looks with his wife Petunia .Harry tried to argue back but his words were drowned by a long loud belch from the Dursleys son Dudley .I want more bacon .Theres more in the frying pan sweetums said Aunt Petunia turning misty eyes on her massive son .We must build you up while weve got the chance .I dont like the sound of that school food .Nonsense Petunia I never went hungry when was at Smeltings said Uncle Vernon heartily .Dudley gets enough dont you son ?Dudley who was so large his bottom drooped over either side of the kitchen chair grinned and turned to Harry .Pass the frying pan .Youve forgotten the magic word said Harry irritably .The effect of this simple sentence on the rest of the family was incredible Dudley gasped and fell off his chair with a crash that shook the whole kitchen Mrs Dursley gave a small scream and clapped her hands to her mouth Mr Dursley jumped to his feet veins throbbing in his temples .I meant ‘please !said Harry quickly .I didnt mean WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU thundered his uncle spraying spit over the table ABOUT SAYING THE ‘M WORD IN OUR HOUSE ?But I HOW DARE YOU THREATEN DUDLEY !roared Uncle Vernon pounding the table with his fist .I just I WARNED YOU !I WILL NOT TOLERATE MENTION OF YOUR ABNORMALITY UNDER THIS ROOF !Harry stared from his purplefaced uncle to his pale aunt who was trying to heave Dudley to his feet .All right said Harry all right .Uncle Vernon sat back down breathing like a winded rhinoceros and watching Harry closely out of the corners of his small sharp eyes .Ever since Harry had come home for the summer holidays Uncle Vernon had been treating him like a bomb that might go off at any moment because Harry Potter wasnt a normal boy .As a matter of fact he was as not normal as it is possible to be .Harry Potter was a wizard a wizard fresh from his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry .And if the Dursleys were unhappy to have him back for the holidays it was nothing to how Harry felt .He missed Hogwarts so much it was like having a constant stomachache .He missed the castle with its secret passageways and ghosts his classes though perhaps not Snape the Potions master the mail arriving by owl eating banquets in the Great Hall sleeping in his fourposter bed in the tower dormitory visiting the gamekeeper Hagrid in his cabin next to the Forbidden Forest in the grounds and especially Quidditch the most popular sport in the wizarding world six tall goal posts four flying balls and fourteen players on broomsticks .All Harrys spellbooks his wand robes cauldron and topoftheline Nimbus Two Thousand broomstick had been locked in a cupboard under the stairs by Uncle Vernon the instant Harry had come home .What did the Dursleys care if Harry lost his place on the House Quidditch team because he hadnt practiced all summer ?What was it to the Dursleys if Harry went back to school without any of his homework done ?The Dursleys were what wizards called Muggles not a drop of magical blood in their veins and as far as they were concerned having a wizard in the family was a matter of deepest shame .Uncle Vernon had even padlocked Harrys owl Hedwig inside her cage to stop her from carrying messages to anyone in the wizarding world .Harry looked nothing like the rest of the family .Uncle Vernon was large and neckless with an enormous black mustache Aunt Petunia was horsefaced and bony Dudley was blond pink and porky .Harry on the other hand was small and skinny with brilliant green eyes and jetblack hair that was always untidy .He wore round glasses and on his forehead was a thin lightningshaped scar .It was this scar that made Harry so particularly unusual even for a wizard .This scar was the only hint of Harrys very mysterious past of the reason he had been left on the Dursleys doorstep eleven years before .At the age of one year old Harry had somehow survived a curse from the greatest Dark sorcerer of all time Lord Voldemort whose name most witches and wizards still feared to speak .Harrys parents had died in Voldemorts attack but Harry had escaped with his lightning scar and somehow nobody understood why Voldemorts powers had been destroyed the instant he had failed to kill Harry .So Harry had been brought up by his dead mothers sister and her husband .He had spent ten years with the Dursleys never understanding why he kept making odd things happen without meaning to believing the Dursleys story that he had got his scar in the car crash that had killed his parents .And then exactly a year ago Hogwarts had written to Harry and the whole story had come out .Harry had taken up his place at wizard school where he and his scar were famous .but now the school year was over and he was back with the Dursleys for the summer back to being treated like a dog that had rolled in something smelly .The Dursleys hadnt even remembered that today happened to be Harrys twelfth birthday .Of course his hopes hadnt been high theyd never given him a real present let alone a cake but to ignore it completely .At that moment Uncle Vernon cleared his throat importantly and said Now as we all know today is a very important day .Harry looked up hardly daring to believe it .This could well be the day I make the biggest deal of my career said Uncle Vernon .Harry went back to his toast .Of course he thought bitterly Uncle Vernon was talking about the stupid dinner party .Hed been talking of nothing else for two weeks .Some rich builder and his wife were coming to dinner and Uncle Vernon was hoping to get a huge order from him Uncle Vernons company made drills .I think we should run through the schedule one more time said Uncle Vernon .We should all be in position at eight oclock .Petunia you will be ?In the lounge said Aunt Petunia promptly waiting to welcome them graciously to our home .Good good .And Dudley ?Ill be waiting to open the door .Dudley put on a foul simpering smile .May I take your coats Mr and Mrs Mason ?Theyll love him !cried Aunt Petunia rapturously .Excellent Dudley said Uncle Vernon .Then he rounded on Harry .And you ?Ill be in my bedroom making no noise and pretending Im not there said Harry tonelessly .Exactly said Uncle Vernon nastily .I will lead them into the lounge introduce you Petunia and pour them drinks .At eightfifteen Ill announce dinner said Aunt Petunia .And Dudley you 11 say May I take you through to the dining room Mrs Mason ?said Dudley offering his fat arm to an invisible woman .My perfect little gentleman !sniffed Aunt Petunia .And you ?said Uncle Vernon viciously to Harry .Ill be in my room making no noise and pretending Im not there said Harry dully .Precisely .Now we should aim to get in a few good compliments at dinner .Petunia any ideas ?Vernon tells me youre a wonderful golfer Mr Mason .Do tell me where you bought your dress Mrs Mason .Perfect .Dudley ?How about ‘We had to write an essay about our hero at school Mr Mason and I wrote about you .This was too much for both Aunt Petunia and Harry .Aunt Petunia burst into tears and hugged her son while Harry ducked under the table so they wouldnt see him laughing .And you boy ?Harry fought to keep his face straight as he emerged .Ill be in my room making no noise and pretending Im not there he said .Too right you will said Uncle Vernon forcefully .The Masons dont know anything about you and its going to stay that way .When dinners over you take Mrs Mason back to the lounge for coffee Petunia and Ill bring the subject around to drills .With any luck Ill have the deal signed and sealed before the news at ten .Well be shopping for a vacation home in Majorca this time tomorrow .Harry couldnt feel too excited about this .He didnt think the Dursleys would like him any better in Majorca than they did on Privet Drive .Right Im off into town to pick up the dinner jackets for Dudley and me .And you he snarled at Harry .You stay out of your aunts way while shes cleaning .Harry left through the back door .It was a brilliant sunny day .He crossed the lawn slumped down on the garden bench and sang under his breath Happy birthday to me .happy birthday to me .No cards no presents and he would be spending the evening pretending not to exist .He gazed miserably into the hedge .He had never felt so lonely .More than anything else at Hogwarts more even than playing Quidditch Harry missed his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger .They however didnt seem to be missing him at all .Neither of them had written to him all summer even though Ron had said he was going to ask Harry to come and stay .Countless times Harry had been on the point of unlocking Hedwigs cage by magic and sending her to Ron and Hermione with a letter but it wasnt worth the risk .Underage wizards werent allowed to use magic outside of school .Harry hadnt told the Dursleys this he knew it was only their terror that he might turn them all into dung beetles that stopped them from locking him in the cupboard under the stairs with his wand and broomstick .For the first couple of weeks back Harry had enjoyed muttering nonsense words under his breath and watching Dudley tearing out of the room as fast as his fat legs would carry him .But the long silence from Ron and Hermione had made Harry feel so cut off from the magical world that even taunting Dudley had lost its appeal and now Ron and Hermione had forgotten his birthday .What wouldnt he give now for a message from Hogwarts ?From any witch or wizard ?Hed almost be glad of a sight of his archenemy Draco Malfoy just to be sure it hadnt all been a dream .Not that his whole year at Hogwarts had been fun .At the very end of last term Harry had come facetoface with none other than Lord Voldemort himself .Voldemort might be a ruin of his former self but he was still terrifying still cunning still determined to regain power .Harry had slipped through Voldemorts clutches for a second time but it had been a narrow escape and even now weeks later Harry kept waking in the night drenched in cold sweat wondering where Voldemort was now remembering his livid face his wide mad eyes Harry suddenly sat bolt upright on the garden bench .He had been staring absentmindedly into the hedge and the hedge was staring back .Two enormous green eyes had appeared among the leaves .Harry jumped to his feet just as a jeering voice floated across the lawn .I know what day it is sang Dudley waddling toward him .The huge eyes blinked and vanished .What ?said Harry not taking his eyes off the spot where they had been .I know what day it is Dudley repeated coming right up to him .Well done said Harry .So youve finally learned the days of the week .Todays your birthday sneered Dudley .How come you havent got any cards ?Havent you even got friends at that freak place ?Better not let your mum hear you talking about my school said Harry coolly .Dudley hitched up his trousers which were slipping down his fat bottom .Whyre you staring at the hedge ?he said suspiciously .Im trying to decide what would be the best spell to set it on fire said Harry .Dudley stumbled backward at once a look of panic on his fat face .You ccant Dad told you youre not to do mmagic he said hell chuck you out of the house and you havent got anywhere else to go you havent got any friends to take you Jiggery pokeryV said Harry in a fierce voice .Hocus pocus squiggly wiggly MUUUUUUM !howled Dudley tripping over his feet as he dashed back toward the house .MUUUUM !Hes doing you know what !Harry paid dearly for his moment of fun .As neither Dudley nor the hedge was in any way hurt Aunt Petunia knew he hadnt really done magic but he still had to duck as she aimed a heavy blow at his head with the soapy frying pan .Then she gave him work to do with the promise he wouldnt eat again until hed finished .While Dudley lolled around watching and eating ice cream Harry cleaned the windows washed the car mowed the lawn trimmed the flowerbeds pruned and watered the roses and repainted the garden bench .The sun blazed overhead burning the back of his neck .Harry knew he shouldnt have risen to Dudleys bait but Dudley had said the very thing Harry had been thinking himself .maybe he didnt have any friends at Hogwarts .Wish they could see famous Harry Potter now he thought savagely as he spread manure on the flower beds his back aching sweat running down his face .It was half past seven in the evening when at last exhausted he heard Aunt Petunia calling him .Get in here !And walk on the newspaper !Harry moved gladly into the shade of the gleaming kitchen .On top of the fridge stood tonights pudding a huge mound of whipped cream and sugared violets .A loin of roast pork was sizzling in the oven .Eat quickly !The Masons will be here soon !snapped Aunt Petunia pointing to two slices of bread and a lump of cheese on the kitchen table .She was already wearing a salmonpink cocktail dress .Harry washed his hands and bolted down his pitiful supper .The moment he had finished Aunt Petunia whisked away his plate .Upstairs !Hurry !As he passed the door to the living room Harry caught a glimpse of Uncle Vernon and Dudley in bow ties and dinner jackets .He had only just reached the upstairs landing when the doorbell rang and Uncle Vernons furious face appeared at the foot of the stairs .Remember boy one sound Harry crossed to his bedroom on tiptoe slipped inside closed the door and turned to collapse on his bed .The trouble was there was already someone sitting on it .DOBBYS WARNING Harry managed not to shout out but it was a close thing .The little creature on the bed had large bat like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls .Harry knew instantly that this was what had been watching him out of the garden hedge that morning .As they stared at each other Harry heard Dudleys voice from the hall .May I take your coats Mr and Mrs Mason ?The creature slipped off the bed and bowed so low that the end of its long thin nose touched the carpet .Harry noticed that it was wearing what looked like an old pillowcase with rips for arm and legholes .Er hello said Harry nervously .Harry Potter !said the creature in a highpitched voice Harry was sure would carry down the stairs .So long has Dobby wanted to meet you sir .Such an honor it is .Ththank you said Harry edging along the wall and sinking into his desk chair next to Hedwig who was asleep in her large cage .He wanted to ask What are you ?but thought it would sound too rude so instead he said Who are you ?Dobby sir .Just Dobby .Dobby the houseelf said the creature .Oh really ?said Harry .Er I dont want to be rude or anything but this isnt a great time for me to have a houseelf in my bedroom .Aunt Petunias high false laugh sounded from the living room .The elf hung his head .Not that Im not pleased to meet you said Harry quickly but er is there any particular reason youre here ?Oh yes sir said Dobby earnestly .Dobby has come to tell you sir .it is difficult sir .Dobby wonders where to begin .Sit down said Harry politely pointing at the bed .To his horror the elf burst into tears very noisy tears .Ssit down .he wailed .Never .never ever .Harry thought he heard the voices downstairs falter .Im sorry he whispered I didnt mean to offend you or anything Offend Dobby !choked the elf .Dobby has never been asked to sit down by a wizard like an equal Harry trying to say Shh !and look comforting at the same time ushered Dobby back onto the bed where he sat hiccoughing looking like a large and very ugly doll .At last he managed to control himself and sat with his great eyes fixed on Harry in an expression of watery adoration .You cant have met many decent wizards said Harry trying to cheer him up .Dobby shook his head .Then without warning he leapt up and started banging his head furiously on the window shouting Bad Dobby !Bad Dobby !Dont what are you doing ?Harry hissed springing up and pulling Dobby back onto the bed Hedwig had woken up with a particularly loud screech and was beating her wings wildly against the bars of her cage .Dobby had to punish himself sir said the elf who had gone slightly crosseyed .Dobby almost spoke ill of his family sir .Your family ?The wizard family Dobby serves sir .Dobby is a houseelf bound to serve one house and one family forever .Do they know youre here ?asked Harry curiously .Dobby shuddered .Oh no sir no .Dobby will have to punish himself most grievously for coming to see you sir .Dobby will have to shut his ears in the oven door for this .If they ever knew sir But wont they notice if you shut your ears in the oven door ?Dobby doubts it sir .Dobby is always having to punish himself for something sir .They lets Dobby get on with it sir .Sometimes they reminds me to do extra punishments .But why dont you leave ?Escape ?A houseelf must be set free sir .And the family will never set Dobby free .Dobby will serve the family until he dies sir .Harry stared .And I thought I had it bad staying here for another four weeks he said .This makes the Dursleys sound almost human .Cant anyone help you ?Cant I ?Almost at once Harry wished he hadnt spoken .Dobby dissolved again into wails of gratitude .Please Harry whispered frantically please be quiet .If the Dursleys hear anything if they know youre here Harry Potter asks if he can help Dobby .Dobby has heard of your greatness sir but of your goodness Dobby never knew .Harry who was feeling distinctly hot in the face said Whatever youve heard about my greatness is a load of rubbish .Im not even top of my year at Hogwarts thats Hermione she But he stopped quickly because thinking about Hermione was painful .Harry Potter is humble and modest said Dobby reverently his orblike eyes aglow .Harry Potter speaks not of his triumph over HeWhoMustNotBe Named Voldemort ?said Harry .Dobby clapped his hands over his bat ears and moaned Ah speak not the name sir !Speak not the name !Sorry said Harry quickly .I know lots of people dont like it .My friend Ron He stopped again .Thinking about Ron was painful too .Dobby leaned toward Harry his eyes wide as headlights .Dobby heard tell he said hoarsely that Harry Potter met the Dark Lord for a second time just weeks ago .that Harry Potter escaped yet again .Harry nodded and Dobbys eyes suddenly shone with tears .Ah sir he gasped dabbing his face with a corner of the grubby pillowcase he was wearing .Harry Potter is valiant and bold !He has braved so many dangers already !But Dobby has come to protect Harry Potter to warn him even if he does have to shut his ears in the oven door later .Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts .There was a silence broken only by the chink of knives and forks from downstairs and the distant rumble of Uncle Vernons voice .Wwhat ?Harry stammered .But Ive got to go back term starts on September first .Its all thats keeping me going .You dont know what its like here .I dont belong here .I belong in your world at Hogwarts .No no no squeaked Dobby shaking his head so hard his ears flapped .Harry Potter must stay where he is safe .He is too great too good to lose .If Harry Potter goes back to Hogwarts he will be in mortal danger .Why ?said Harry in surprise .There is a plot Harry Potter .A plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year whispered Dobby suddenly trembling all over .Dobby has known it for months sir .Harry Potter must not put himself in peril .He is too important sir !What terrible things ?said Harry at once .Whos plotting them ?Dobby made a funny choking noise and then banged his head frantically against the wall .All right !cried Harry grabbing the elfs arm to stop him .You cant tell me .I understand .But why are you warning me ?A sudden unpleasant thought struck him .Hang on this hasnt got anything to do with Vol sorry with YouKnowWho has it ?You could just shake or nod he added hastily as Dobbys head tilted worryingly close to the wall again .Slowly Dobby shook his head .Not not HeWhoMustNotBeNamed sir But Dobbys eyes were wide and he seemed to be trying to give Harry a hint .Harry however was completely lost .He hasnt got a brother has he ?Dobby shook his head his eyes wider than ever .Well then I cant think who else would have a chance of making horrible things happen at Hogwarts said Harry .I mean theres Dumbledore for one thing you know who Dumbledore is dont you ?Dobby bowed his head .Albus Dumbledore is the greatest headmaster Hogwarts has ever had .Dobby knows it sir .Dobby has heard Dumbledores powers rival those of He WhoMustNotBeNamed at the height of his strength .But sir Dobbys voice dropped to an urgent whisper there are powers Dumbledore doesnt .powers no decent wizard .And before Harry could stop him Dobby bounded off the bed seized Harrys desk lamp and started beating himself around the head with earsplitting yelps .A sudden silence fell downstairs .Two seconds later Harry heart thudding madly heard Uncle Vernon coming into the hall calling Dudley must have left his television on again the little tyke !Quick !In the closet !hissed Harry stuffing Dobby in shutting the door and flinging himself onto the bed just as the door handle turned .What the devil are you doing ?said Uncle Vernon through gritted teeth his face horribly close to Harrys .Youve just ruined the punch line of my Japanese golfer joke .One more sound and youll wish youd never been born boy !He stomped flatfooted from the room .Shaking Harry let Dobby out of the closet .See what its like here ?he said .See why Ive got to go back to Hogwarts ?Its the only place Ive got well I think Ive got friends .Friends who dont even write to Harry Potter ?said Dobby slyly .I expect theyve just been wait a minute said Harry frowning .How do you know my friends havent been writing to me ?Dobby shuffled his feet .Harry Potter mustnt be angry with Dobby .Dobby did it for the best Have you been stopping my letters ?Dobby has them here sir said the elf .Stepping nimbly out of Harrys reach he pulled a thick wad of envelopes from the inside of the pillowcase he was wearing .Harry could make out Hermiones neat writing Rons untidy scrawl and even a scribble that looked as though it was from the Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid .Dobby blinked anxiously up at Harry .Harry Potter mustnt be angry .Dobby hoped .if Harry Potter thought his friends had forgotten him .Harry Potter might not want to go back to school sir .Harry wasnt listening .He made a grab for the letters but Dobby jumped out of reach .Harry Potter will have them sir if he gives Dobby his word that he will not return to Hogwarts .Ah sir this is a danger you must not face !Say you wont go back sir !No said Harry angrily .Give me my friends letters !Then Harry Potter leaves Dobby no choice said the elf sadly .Before Harry could move Dobby had darted to the bedroom door pulled it open and sprinted down the stairs .Mouth dry stomach lurching Harry sprang after him trying not to make a sound .He jumped the last six steps landing catlike on the hall carpet looking around for Dobby .From the dining room he heard Uncle Vernon saying .tell Petunia that very funny story about those American plumbers Mr Mason .Shes been dying to hear .Harry ran up the hall into the kitchen and felt his stomach disappear .Aunt Petunias masterpiece of a pudding the mountain of cream and sugared violets was floating up near the ceiling .On top of a cupboard in the corner crouched Dobby .No croaked Harry .Please .theyll kill me .Harry Potter must say hes not going back to school Dobby .please .Say it sir I cant Dobby gave him a tragic look .Then Dobby must do it sir for Harry Potters own good .The pudding fell to the floor with a heartstopping crash .Cream splattered the windows and walls as the dish shattered .With a crack like a whip Dobby vanished .There were screams from the dining room and Uncle Vernon burst into the kitchen to find Harry rigid with shock covered from head to foot in Aunt Petunias pudding .At first it looked as though Uncle Vernon would manage to gloss the whole thing over .Just our nephew very disturbed meeting strangers upsets him so we kept him upstairs .He shooed the shocked Masons back into the dining room promised Harry he would flay him to within an inch of his life when the Masons had left and handed him a mop .Aunt Petunia dug some ice cream out of the freezer and Harry still shaking started scrubbing the kitchen clean .Uncle Vernon might still have been able to make his deal if it hadnt been for the owl .Aunt Petunia was just passing around a box of after dinner mints when a huge barn owl swooped through the dining room window dropped a letter on Mrs Masons head and swooped out again .Mrs Mason screamed like a banshee and ran from the house shouting about lunatics .Mr Mason stayed just long enough to tell the Dursleys that his wife was mortally afraid of birds of all shapes and sizes and to ask whether this was their idea of a joke .Harry stood in the kitchen clutching the mop for support as Uncle Vernon advanced on him a demonic glint in his tiny eyes .Read it !he hissed evilly brandishing the letter the owl had delivered .Go on read it !Harry took it .It did not contain birthday greetings .Dear Mr Potter We have received intelligence that a Hover Charm was used at your place of residence this evening at twelve minutes past nine .As you know underage wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school and further spellwork on your part may lead to expulsion from said school Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery 1875 Paragraph C .We would also ask you to remember that any magical activity that risks notice by members of the non  magical community Muggles is a serious offense under section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks Statute of Secrecy .Enjoy your holidays !Yours sincerely Mafalda Hopkirk IMPROPER USE OF MAGIC OFFICE Ministry of Magic Harry looked up from the letter and gulped .You didnt tell us you werent allowed to use magic outside school said Uncle Vernon a mad gleam dancing in his eyes .Forgot to mention it .Slipped your mind I daresay .He was bearing down on Harry like a great bulldog all his teeth bared .Well Ive got news for you boy .Im locking you up .Youre never going back to that school .never .and if you try and magic yourself out they 11 expel you !And laughing like a maniac he dragged Harry back upstairs .Uncle Vernon was as bad as his word .The following morning he paid a man to fit bars on Harrys window .He himself fitted a catflap in the bedroom door so that small amounts of food could be pushed inside three times a day .They let Harry out to use the bathroom morning and evening .Otherwise he was locked in his room around the clock .Three days later the Dursleys were showing no sign of relenting and Harry couldnt see any way out of his situation .He lay on his bed watching the sun sinking behind the bars on the window and wondered miserably what was going to happen to him .What was the good of magicking himself out of his room if Hogwarts would expel him for doing it ?Yet life at Privet Drive had reached an alltime low .Now that the Dursleys knew they werent going to wake up as fruit bats he had lost his only weapon .Dobby might have saved Harry from horrible happenings at Hogwarts but the way things were going hed probably starve to death anyway .The catflap rattled and Aunt Petunias hand appeared pushing a bowl of canned soup into the room .Harry whose insides were aching with hunger jumped off his bed and seized it .The soup was stone cold but he drank half of it in one gulp .Then he crossed the room to Hedwigs cage and tipped the soggy vegetables at the bottom of the bowl into her empty food tray .She ruffled her feathers and gave him a look of deep disgust .Its no good turning your beak up at it thats all weve got said Harry grimly .He put the empty bowl back on the floor next to the catflap and lay back down on the bed somehow even hungrier than he had been before the soup .Supposing he was still alive in another four weeks what would happen if he didnt turn up at Hogwarts ?Would someone be sent to see why he hadnt come back ?Would they be able to make the Dursleys let him go ?The room was growing dark .Exhausted stomach rumbling mind spinning over the same unanswerable questions Harry fell into an uneasy sleep .He dreamed that he was on show in a zoo with a card reading UNDERAGE WIZARD attached to his cage .People goggled through the bars at him as he lay starving and weak on a bed of straw .He saw Dobbys face in the crowd and shouted out asking for help but Dobby called Harry Potter is safe there sir !and vanished .Then the Dursleys appeared and Dudley rattled the bars of the cage laughing at him .Stop it Harry muttered as the rattling pounded in his sore head .Leave me alone .cut it out .Im trying to sleep .He opened his eyes .Moonlight was shining through the bars on the window .And someone was goggling through the bars at him a frecklefaced redhaired longnosed someone .Ron Weasley was outside Harrys window .3 THE BURROW Ron breathed Harry creeping to the window and pushing it up so they could talk through the bars .Ron how did you What the ?Harrys mouth fell open as the full impact of what he was seeing hit him .Ron was leaning out of the back window of an old turquoise car which was parked in midair .Grinning at Harry from the front seats were Fred and George Rons elder twin brothers .All right Harry ?asked George .Whats been going on ?said Ron .Why havent you been answering my letters ?Ive asked you to stay about twelve times and then Dad came home and said youd got an official warning for using magic in front of Muggles It wasnt me and how did he know ?He works for the Ministry said Ron .You know were not supposed to do spells outside school You should talk said Harry staring at the floating car .Oh this doesnt count said Ron .Were only borrowing this .Its Dads we didnt enchant it .But doing magic in front of those Muggles you live with I told you I didnt but itll take too long to explain now look can you tell them at Hogwarts that the Dursleys have locked me up and wont let me come back and obviously I cant magic myself out because the Ministryll think thats the second spell Ive done in three days so Stop gibbering said Ron .Weve come to take you home with us .But you cant magic me out either We dont need to said Ron jerking his head toward the front seat and grinning .You forget who Ive got with me .Tie that around the bars said Fred throwing the end of a rope to Harry .If the Dursleys wake up Im dead said Harry as he tied the rope tightly around a bar and Fred revved up the car .Dont worry said Fred and stand back .Harry moved back into the shadows next to Hedwig who seemed to have realized how important this was and kept still and silent .The car revved louder and louder and suddenly with a crunching noise the bars were pulled clean out of the window as Fred drove straight up in the air .Harry ran back to the window to see the bars dangling a few feet above the ground .Panting Ron hoisted them up into the car .Harry listened anxiously but there was no sound from the Dursleys bedroom .When the bars were safely in the back seat with Ron Fred reversed as close as possible to Harrys window .Get in Ron said .But all my Hogwarts stuff my wand my broomstick Where is it ?Locked in the cupboard under the stairs and I cant get out of this room No problem said George from the front passenger seat .Out of the way Harry .Fred and George climbed catlike through the window into Harrys room .You had to hand it to them thought Harry as George took an ordinary hairpin from his pocket and started to pick the lock .A lot of wizards think its a waste of time knowing this sort of Muggle trick said Fred but we feel theyre skills worth learning even if they are a bit slow .There was a small click and the door swung open .So well get your trunk you grab anything you need from your room and hand it out to Ron whispered George .Watch out for the bottom stair it creaks Harry whispered back as the twins disappeared onto the dark landing .Harry dashed around his room collecting his things and passing them out of the window to Ron .Then he went to help Fred and George heave his trunk up the stairs .Harry heard Uncle Vernon cough .At last panting they reached the landing then carried the trunk through Harrys room to the open window .Fred climbed back into the car to pull with Ron and Harry and George pushed from the bedroom side .Inch by inch the trunk slid through the window .Uncle Vernon coughed again .A bit more panted Fred who was pulling from inside the car .One good push Harry and George threw their shoulders against the trunk and it slid out of the window into the back seat of the car .Okay lets go George whispered .But as Harry climbed onto the windowsill there came a sudden loud screech from behind him followed immediately by the thunder of Uncle Vernons voice .THAT RUDDY OWL !Ive forgotten Hedwig !Harry tore back across the room as the landing light clicked on he snatched up Hedwigs cage dashed to the window and passed it out to Ron .He was scrambling back onto the chest of drawers when Uncle Vernon hammered on the unlocked door and it crashed open .For a split second Uncle Vernon stood framed in the doorway then he let out a bellow like an angry bull and dived at Harry grabbing him by the ankle .Ron Fred and George seized Harrys arms and pulled as hard as they could .Petunia !roared Uncle Vernon .Hes getting away !HES GETTING AWAY !But the Weasleys gave a gigantic tug and Harrys leg slid out of Uncle Vernons grasp Harry was in the car hed slammed the door shut Put your foot down Fred !yelled Ron and the car shot suddenly toward the moon .Harry couldnt believe it he was free .He rolled down the window the night air whipping his hair and looked back at the shrinking rooftops of Privet Drive .Uncle Vernon Aunt Petunia and Dudley were all hanging dumbstruck out of Harrys window .See you next summer !Harry yelled .The Weasleys roared with laughter and Harry settled back in his seat grinning from ear to ear .Let Hedwig out he told Ron .She can fly behind us .She hasnt had a chance to stretch her wings for ages .George handed the hairpin to Ron and a moment later Hedwig soared joyfully out of the window to glide alongside them like a ghost .So whats the story Harry ?said Ron impatiently .Whats been happening ?Harry told them all about Dobby the warning hed given Harry and the fiasco of the violet pudding .There was a long shocked silence when he had finished .Very fishy said Fred finally .Definitely dodgy agreed George .So he wouldnt even tell you whos supposed to be plotting all this stuff ?I dont think he could said Harry .I told you every time he got close to letting something slip he started banging his head against the wall .He saw Fred and George look at each other .What you think he was lying to me ?said Harry .Well said Fred put it this way houseelves have got powerful magic of their own but they cant usually use it without their masters permission .I reckon old Dobby was sent to stop you coming back to Hogwarts .Someones idea of a joke .Can you think of anyone at school with a grudge against you ?Yes said Harry and Ron together instantly .Draco Malfoy Harry explained .He hates me .Draco Malfoy ?said George turning around .Not Lucius Malfoys son ?Must be its not a very common name is it ?said Harry .Why ?Ive heard Dad talking about him said George .He was a big supporter of YouKnowWho .And when YouKnowWho disappeared said Fred craning around to look at Harry Lucius Malfoy came back saying hed never meant any of it .Load of dung Dad reckons he was right in YouKnow Whos inner circle .Harry had heard these rumors about Malfoys family before and they didnt surprise him at all .Malfoy made Dudley Dursley look like a kind thoughtful and sensitive boy .I dont know whether the Malfoys own a houseelf . .said Harry .Well whoever owns him will be an old wizarding family and theyll be rich said Fred .Yeah Mums always wishing we had a houseelf to do the ironing said George .But all weve got is a lousy old ghoul in the attic and gnomes all over the garden .Houseelves come with big old manors and castles and places like that you wouldnt catch one in our house .Harry was silent .Judging by the fact that Draco Malfoy usually had the best of everything his family was rolling in wizard gold he could just see Malfoy strutting around a large manor house .Sending the family servant to stop Harry from going back to Hogwarts also sounded exactly like the sort of thing Malfoy would do .Had Harry been stupid to take Dobby seriously ?Im glad we came to get you anyway said Ron .I was getting really worried when you didnt answer any of my letters .I thought it was Errols fault at first Whos Errol ?Our owl .Hes ancient .It wouldnt be the first time hed collapsed on a delivery .So then I tried to borrow Hermes Who ?The owl Mum and Dad bought Percy when he was made prefect said Fred from the front .But Percy wouldnt lend him to me said Ron .Said he needed him .Percys been acting very oddly this summer said George frowning .And he has been sending a lot of letters and spending a load of time shut up in his room .I mean theres only so many times you can polish a prefect badge .Youre driving too far west Fred he added pointing at a compass on the dashboard .Fred twiddled the steering wheel .So does your dad know youve got the car ?said Harry guessing the answer .Er no said Ron he had to work tonight .Hopefully well be able to get it back in the garage without Mum noticing we flew it .What does your dad do at the Ministry of Magic anyway ?He works in the most boring department said Ron .The Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office .The what ?Its all to do with bewitching things that are Muggle made you know in case they end up back in a Muggle shop or house .Like last year some old witch died and her tea set was sold to an antiques shop .This Muggle woman bought it took it home and tried to serve her friends tea in it .It was a nightmare Dad was working overtime for weeks .What happened ?The teapot went berserk and squirted boiling tea all over the place and one man ended up in the hospital with the sugar tongs clamped to his nose .Dad was going frantic its only him and an old warlock called Perkins in the office and they had to do Memory Charms and all sorts of stuff to cover it up But your dad this car Fred laughed .Yeah Dads crazy about everything to do with Muggles our sheds full of Muggle stuff .He takes it apart puts spells on it and puts it back together again .If he raided our house hed have to put himself under arrest .It drives Mum mad .Thats the main road said George peering down through the windshield .Well be there in ten minutes .Just as well its getting light .A faint pinkish glow was visible along the horizon to the east .Fred brought the car lower and Harry saw a dark patchwork of fields and clumps of trees .Were a little way outside the village said George .Ottery St .Catchpole .Lower and lower went the flying car .The edge of a brilliant red sun was now gleaming through the trees .Touchdown !said Fred as with a slight bump they hit the ground .They had landed next to a tumbledown garage in a small yard and Harry looked out for the first time at Rons house .It looked as though it had once been a large stone pigpen but extra rooms had been added here and there until it was several stories high and so crooked it looked as though it were held up by magic which Harry reminded himself it probably was .Four or five chimneys were perched on top of the red roof .A lopsided sign stuck in the ground near the entrance read THE BURROW .Around the front door lay a jumble of rubber boots and a very rusty cauldron .Several fat brown chickens were pecking their way around the yard .Its not much said Ron .Its wonderful said Harry happily thinking of Privet Drive .They got out of the car .Now well go upstairs really quietly said Fred and wait for Mum to call us for breakfast .Then Ron you come bounding downstairs going ‘Mum look who turned up in the night !and shell be all pleased to see Harry and no one need ever know we flew the car .Right said Ron .Come on Harry I sleep at the at the top Ron had gone a nasty greenish color his eyes fixed on the house .The other three wheeled around .Mrs Weasley was marching across the yard scattering chickens and for a short plump kind  faced woman it was remarkable how much she looked like a sabertoothed tiger .Ah said Fred .Oh dear said George .Mrs Weasley came to a halt in front of them her hands on her hips staring from one guilty face to the next .She was wearing a flowered apron with a wand sticking out of the pocket .So she said .Morning Mum said George in what he clearly thought was a jaunty winning voice .Have you any idea how worried Ive been ?said Mrs Weasley in a deadly whisper .Sorry Mum but see we had to All three of Mrs Weasleys sons were taller than she was but they cowered as her rage broke over them .Beds empty No note Car gone could have crashed out of my mind with worry did you care ?never as long as Ive lived you wait until your father gets home we never had trouble like this from Bill or Charlie or Percy Perfect Percy muttered Fred .YOU COULD DO WITH TAKING A LEAF OUT OF PERCYS BOOK !yelled Mrs Weasley prodding a finger in Freds chest .You could havedied you could have been seen you could have lost your father his job It seemed to go on for hours .Mrs Weasley had shouted herself hoarse before she turned on Harry who backed away .Im very pleased to see you Harry dear she said .Come in and have some breakfast .She turned and walked back into the house and Harry after a nervous glance at Ron who nodded encouragingly followed her .The kitchen was small and rather cramped .There was a scrubbed wooden table and chairs in the middle and Harry sat down on the edge of his seat looking around .He had never been in a wizard house before .The clock on the wall opposite him had only one hand and no numbers at all .Written around the edge were things like Time to make tea Time to feed the chickens and Youre late .Books were stacked three deep on the mantelpiece books with titles like Charm Your Own Cheese Enchantment in Baking and One Minute Feasts Its Magid And unless Harrys ears were deceiving him the old radio next to the sink had just announced that coming up was Witching Hour with the popular singing sorceress Celestina Warbeck .Mrs Weasley was clattering around cooking breakfast a little haphazardly throwing dirty looks at her sons as she threw sausages into the frying pan .Every now and then she muttered things like dont know what you were thinking of and never would have believed it .I dont blame you dear she assured Harry tipping eight or nine sausages onto his plate .Arthur and I have been worried about you too .Just last night we were saying wed come and get you ourselves if you hadnt written back to Ron by Friday .But really she was now adding three fried eggs to his plate flying an illegal car halfway across the country anyone could have seen you She flicked her wand casually at the dishes in the sink which began to clean themselves clinking gently in the background .It was cloudy Mum !said Fred .You keep your mouth closed while youre eating !Mrs Weasley snapped .They were starving him Mum !said George .And you !said Mrs Weasley but it was with a slightly softened expression that she started cutting Harry bread and buttering it for him .At that moment there was a diversion in the form of a small redheaded figure in a long nightdress who appeared in the kitchen gave a small squeal and ran out again .Ginny said Ron in an undertone to Harry .My sister .Shes been talking about you all summer .Yeah shell be wanting your autograph Harry Fred said with a grin but he caught his mothers eye and bent his face over his plate without another word .Nothing more was said until all four plates were clean which took a surprisingly short time .Blimey Im tired yawned Fred setting down his knife and fork at last .I think Ill go to bed and You will not snapped Mrs Weasley .Its your own fault youve been up all night .Youre going to de gnome the garden for me theyre getting completely out of hand again Oh Mum And you two she said glaring at Ron and Fred .You can go up to bed dear she added to Harry .You didnt ask them to fly that wretched car But Harry who felt wide awake said quickly Ill help Ron .Ive never seen a degnoming Thats very sweet of you dear but its dull work said Mrs Weasley .Now lets see what Lockharts got to say on the subject And she pulled a heavy book from the stack on the mantelpiece .George groaned .Mum we know how to degnome a garden Harry looked at the cover of Mrs Weasleys book .Written across it in fancy gold letters were the words Gilderoy Lockharts Guide to Household Pests .There was a big photograph on the front of a very good looking wizard with wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes .As always in the wizarding world the photograph was moving the wizard who Harry supposed was Gilderoy Lockhart kept winking cheekily up at them all .Mrs Weasley beamed down at him .Oh he is marvelous she said .He knows his household pests all right its a wonderful book .Mum fancies him said Fred in a very audible whisper .Dont be so ridiculous Fred said Mrs Weasley her cheeks rather pink .All right if you think you know better than Lockhart you can go and get on with it and woe betide you if theres a single gnome in that garden when I come out to inspect it .Yawning and grumbling the Weasleys slouched outside with Harry behind them .The garden was large and in Harrys eyes exactly what a garden should be .The Dursleys wouldnt have liked it there were plenty of weeds and the grass needed cutting but there were gnarled trees all around the walls plants Harry had never seen spilling from every flower bed and a big green pond full of frogs .Muggles have garden gnomes too you know Harry told Ron as they crossed the lawn .Yeah Ive seen those things they think are gnomes said Ron bent double with his head in a peony bush like fat little Santa Clauses with fishing rods .There was a violent scuffling noise the peony bush shuddered and Ron straightened up .This is a gnome he said grimly .Gerroff me !Gerroff me !squealed the gnome .It was certainly nothing like Santa Claus .It was small and leathery looking with a large knobby bald head exactly like a potato .Ron held it at arms length as it kicked out at him with its horny little feet he grasped it around the ankles and turned it upside down .This is what you have to do he said .He raised the gnome above his head Gerroff me !and started to swing it in great circles like a lasso .Seeing the shocked look on Harrys face Ron added It doesnt hurt them youve just got to make them really dizzy so they cant find their way back to the gnomeholes .He let go of the gnomes ankles It flew twenty feet into the air and landed with a thud in the field over the hedge .Pitiful said Fred .I bet I can get mine beyond that stump .Harry learned quickly not to feel too sorry for the gnomes .He decided just to drop the first one he caught over the hedge but the gnome sensing weakness sank its razorsharp teeth into Harrys finger and he had a hard job shaking it off until Wow Harry that mustve been fifty feet .The air was soon thick with flying gnomes .See theyre not too bright said George seizing five or six gnomes at once .The moment they know the degnomings going on they storm up to have a look .Youd think theyd have learned by now just to stay put .Soon the crowd of gnomes in the field started walking away in a straggling line their little shoulders hunched .Theyll be back said Ron as they watched the gnomes disappear into the hedge on the other side of the field .They love it here .Dads too soft with them he thinks theyre funny .Just then the front door slammed .Hes back !said George .Dads home !They hurried through the garden and back into the house .Mr Weasley was slumped in a kitchen chair with his glasses off and his eyes closed .He was a thin man going bald but the little hair he had was as red as any of his childrens .He was wearing long green robes which were dusty and travelworn .What a night he mumbled groping for the teapot as they all sat down around him .Nine raids .Nine !And old Mundungus Fletcher tried to put a hex on me when I had my back turned .Mr Weasley took a long gulp of tea and sighed .Find anything Dad ?said Fred eagerly .All I got were a few shrinking door keys and a biting kettle yawned Mr Weasley .There was some pretty nasty stuff that wasnt my department though .Mortlake was taken away for questioning about some extremely odd ferrets but thats the Committee on Experimental Charms thank goodness .Why would anyone bother making door keys shrink ?said George .Just Mugglebaiting sighed Mr Weasley .Sell them a key that keeps shrinking to nothing so they can never find it when they need it .Of course its very hard to convict anyone because no Muggle would admit their key keeps shrinking theyll insist they just keep losing it .Bless them theyll go to any lengths to ignore magic even if its staring them in the face .But the things our lot have taken to enchanting you wouldnt believe LIKE CARS FOR INSTANCE ?Mrs Weasley had appeared holding a long poker like a sword .Mr Weasleys eyes jerked open .He stared guiltily at his wife .Ccars Molly dear ?Yes Arthur cars said Mrs Weasley her eyes flashing .Imagine a wizard buying a rusty old car and telling his wife all he wanted to do with it was take it apart to see how it worked while really he was enchanting it to make it fly .Mr Weasley blinked .Well dear I think youll find that he would be quite within the law to do that even if er he maybe would have done better to um tell his wife the truth . .Theres a loophole in the law youll find .As long as he wasnt intending to fly the car the fact that the car could fly wouldnt Arthur Weasley you made sure there was a loophole when you wrote that law !shouted Mrs Weasley .Just so you could carry on tinkering with all that Muggle rubbish in your shed !And for your information Harry arrived this morning in the car you werent intending to fly !Harry ?said Mr Weasley blankly .Harry who ?He looked around saw Harry and jumped .Good lord is it Harry Potter ?Very pleased to meet you Rons told us so much about Your sons flew that car to Harrys house and back last nighti shouted Mrs Weasley .What have you got to say about that eh ?Did you really ?said Mr Weasley eagerly .Did it go all right ?I I mean he faltered as sparks flew from Mrs Weasleys eyes that that was very wrong boys very wrong indeed .Lets leave them to it Ron muttered to Harry as Mrs Weasley swelled like a bullfrog .Come on Ill show you my bedroom .They slipped out of the kitchen and down a narrow passageway to an uneven staircase which wound its way zigzagging up through the house .On the third landing a door stood ajar .Harry just caught sight of a pair of bright brown eyes staring at him before it closed with a snap .Ginny said Ron .You dont know how weird it is for her to be this shy .She never shuts up normally They climbed two more flights until they reached a door with peeling paint and a small plaque on it saying RONALDS ROOM .Harry stepped in his head almost touching the sloping ceiling and blinked .It was like walking into a furnace Nearly everything in Rons room seemed to be a violent shade of orange the bedspread the walls even the ceiling .Then Harry realized that Ron had covered nearly every inch of the shabby wallpaper with posters of the same seven witches and wizards all wearing bright orange robes carrying broomsticks and waving energetically .Your Quidditch team ?said Harry .The Chudley Cannons said Ron pointing at the orange bedspread which was emblazoned with two giant black Cs and a speeding cannonball .Ninth in the league .Rons school spellbooks were stacked untidily in a corner next to a pile of comics that all seemed to feature The Adventures of Martin Miggs the Mad Muggle .Rons magic wand was lying on top of a fish tank full of frog spawn on the windowsill next to his fat gray rat Scabbers who was snoozing in a patch of sun .Harry stepped over a pack of Self Shuffling playing cards on the floor and looked out of the tiny window .In the field far below he could see a gang of gnomes sneaking one by one back through the Weasleys hedge .Then he turned to look at Ron who was watching him almost nervously as though waiting for his opinion .Its a bit small said Ron quickly .Not like that room you had with the Muggles .And Im right underneath the ghoul in the attic hes always banging on the pipes and groaning .But Harry grinning widely said This is the best house Ive ever been in .Rons ears went pink .AT FLOURISH AND BLOTTS Life at the Burrow was as different as possible from life on Privet Drive .The Dursleys liked everything neat and ordered the Weasleys house burst with the strange and unexpected .Harry got a shock the first time he looked in the mirror over the kitchen mantelpiece and it shouted Tuck your shirt in scruff yV The ghoul in the attic howled and dropped pipes whenever he felt things were getting too quiet and small explosions from Fred and Georges bedroom were considered perfectly normal .What Harry found most unusual about life at Rons however wasnt the talking mirror or the clanking ghoul It was the fact that everybody there seemed to like him .Mrs Weasley fussed over the state of his socks and tried to force him to eat fourth helpings at every meal .Mr Weasley liked Harry to sit next to him at the dinner table so that he could bombard him with questions about life with Muggles asking him to explain how things like plugs and the postal service worked .Fascinating !he would say as Harry talked him through using a telephone .Ingenious really how many ways Muggles have found of getting along without magic .Harry heard from Hogwarts one sunny morning about a week after he had arrived at the Burrow .He and Ron went down to breakfast to find Mr and Mrs Weasley and Ginny already sitting at the kitchen table .The moment she saw Harry Ginny accidentally knocked her porridge bowl to the floor with a loud clatter .Ginny seemed very prone to knocking things over whenever Harry entered a room .She dived under the table to retrieve the bowl and emerged with her face glowing like the setting sun .Pretending he hadnt noticed this Harry sat down and took the toast Mrs Weasley offered him .Letters from school said Mr Weasley passing Harry and Ron identical envelopes of yellowish parchment addressed in green ink .Dumbledore already knows youre here Harry doesnt miss a trick that man .You twove got them too he added as Fred and George ambled in still in their pajamas .For a few minutes there was silence as they all read their letters .Harrys told him to catch the Hogwarts Express as usual from Kings Cross station on September first .There was also a list of the new books hed need for the coming year .SECONDYEAR STUDENTS WILL REQUIRE The Standard Book of Spells Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart Fred who had finished his own list peered over at Harrys .Youve been told to get all Lockharts books too !he said .The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher must be a fan bet its a witch .At this point Fred caught his mothers eye and quickly busied himself with the marmalade .That lot wont come cheap said George with a quick look at his parents .Lockharts books are really expensive .Well well manage said Mrs Weasley but she looked worried .I expect well be able to pick up a lot of Ginnys things secondhand .Oh are you starting at Hogwarts this year ?Harry asked Ginny .She nodded blushing to the roots of her flaming hair and put her elbow in the butter dish .Fortunately no one saw this except Harry because just then Rons elder brother Percy walked in .He was already dressed his Hogwarts prefect badge pinned to his sweater vest .Morning all said Percy briskly .Lovely day .He sat down in the only remaining chair but leapt up again almost immediately pulling from underneath him a molting gray feather duster at least that was what Harry thought it was until he saw that it was breathing .Errol !said Ron taking the limp owl from Percy and extracting a letter from under its wing .Finally hes got Hermiones answer .I wrote to her saying we were going to try and rescue you from the Dursleys .He carried Errol to a perch just inside the back door and tried to stand him on it but Errol flopped straight off again so Ron laid him on the draining board instead muttering Pathetic .Then he ripped open Hermiones letter and read it out loud ‘Dear Ron and Harry if youre there ‘I hope everything went all right and that Harry is okay and that you didnt do anything illegal to get him out Ron because that would get Harry into trouble too .Ive been really worried and if Harry is all right will you please let me know at once but perhaps it would be better if you used a different owl because I think another delivery might finish your one off ‘Im very busy with schoolwork of course How can she be ?said Ron in horror .Were on vacation ! ‘and were going to London next Wednesday to buy my new books .Why dont we meet in Diagon Alley ? ‘Let me know whats happening as soon as you can .Love from Hermione .Well that fits in nicely we can go and get all your things then too said Mrs Weasley starting to clear the table .What re you all up to today ?Harry Ron Fred and George were planning to go up the hill to a small paddock the Weasleys owned .It was surrounded by trees that blocked it from view of the village below meaning that they could practice Quidditch there as long as they didnt fly too high .They couldnt use real Quidditch balls which would have been hard to explain if they had escaped and flown away over the village instead they threw apples for one another to catch .They took turns riding Harrys Nimbus Two Thousand which was easily the best broom Rons old Shooting Star was often outstripped by passing butterflies .Five minutes later they were marching up the hill broomsticks over their shoulders .They had asked Percy if he wanted to join them but he had said he was busy .Harry had only seen Percy at mealtimes so far he stayed shut in his room the rest of the time .Wish I knew what he was up to said Fred frowning .Hes not himself .His exam results came the day before you did twelve O .W .L .s and he hardly gloated at all .Ordinary Wizarding Levels George explained seeing Harrys puzzled look .Bill got twelve too .If were not careful well have another Head Boy in the family .I dont think I could stand the shame .Bill was the oldest Weasley brother .He and the next brother Charlie had already left Hogwarts .Harry had never met either of them but knew that Charlie was in Romania studying dragons and Bill in Egypt working for the wizards bank Gringotts .Dunno how Mum and Dad are going to afford all our school stuff this year said George after a while .Five sets of Lockhart books !And Ginny needs robes and a wand and everything .Harry said nothing .He felt a bit awkward .Stored in an underground vault at Gringotts in London was a small fortune that his parents had left him .Of course it was only in the wizarding world that he had money you couldnt use Galleons Sickles and Knuts in Muggle shops .He had never mentioned his Gringotts bank account to the Dursleys he didnt think their horror of anything connected with magic would stretch to a large pile of gold .Mrs Weasley woke them all early the following Wednesday .After a quick half a dozen bacon sandwiches each they pulled on their coats and Mrs Weasley took a flowerpot off the kitchen mantelpiece and peered inside .Were running low Arthur she sighed .Well have to buy some more today .Ah well guests first !After you Harry dear !And she offered him the flowerpot .Harry stared at them all watching him .Wwhat am I supposed to do ?he stammered .Hes never traveled by Floo powder said Ron suddenly .Sorry Harry I forgot .Never ?said Mr Weasley .But how did you get to Diagon Alley to buy your school things last year ?I went on the Underground Really ?said Mr Weasley eagerly .Were there escapators ?How exactly Not now Arthur said Mrs Weasley .Floo powders a lot quicker dear but goodness me if youve never used it before Hell be all right Mum said Fred .Harry watch us first .He took a pinch of glittering powder out of the flowerpot stepped up to the fire and threw the powder into the flames .With a roar the fire turned emerald green and rose higher than Fred who stepped right into it shouted Diagon Alley !and vanished .You must speak clearly dear Mrs Weasley told Harry as George dipped his hand into the flowerpot .And be sure to get out at the right grate .The right what ?said Harry nervously as the fire roared and whipped George out of sight too .Well there are an awful lot of wizard fires to choose from you know but as long as youve spoken clearly Hell be fine Molly dont fuss said Mr Weasley helping himself to Floo powder too .But dear if he got lost how would we ever explain to his aunt and uncle ?They wouldnt mind Harry reassured her .Dudley would think it was a brilliant joke if I got lost up a chimney dont worry about that Well .all right .you go after Arthur said Mrs Weasley .Now when you get into the fire say where youre going And keep your elbows tucked in Ron advised .And your eyes shut said Mrs Weasley .The soot Dont fidget said Ron .Or you might well fall out of the wrong fireplace But dont panic and get out too early wait until you see Fred and George .Trying hard to bear all this in mind Harry took a pinch of Floo powder and walked to the edge of the fire .He took a deep breath scattered the powder into the flames and stepped forward the fire felt like a warm breeze he opened his mouth and immediately swallowed a lot of hot ash .DDiagon Alley he coughed .It felt as though he were being sucked down a giant drain .He seemed to be spinning very fast the roaring in his ears was deafening he tried to keep his eyes open but the whirl of green flames made him feel sick something hard knocked his elbow and he tucked it in tightly still spinning and spinning now it felt as though cold hands were slapping his face squinting through his glasses he saw a blurred stream of fireplaces and snatched glimpses of the rooms beyond his bacon sandwiches were churning inside him he closed his eyes again wishing it would stop and then He fell face forward onto cold stone and felt the bridge of his glasses snap .Dizzy and bruised covered in soot he got gingerly to his feet holding his broken glasses up to his eyes .He was quite alone but where he was he had no idea .All he could tell was that he was standing in the stone fireplace of what looked like a large dimly lit wizards shop but nothing in here was ever likely to be on a Hogwarts school list .A glass case nearby held a withered hand on a cushion a bloodstained pack of cards and a staring glass eye .Evillooking masks stared down from the walls an assortment of human bones lay upon the counter and rusty spiked instruments hung from the ceiling .Even worse the dark narrow street Harry could see through the dusty shop window was definitely not Diagon Alley .The sooner he got out of here the better .Nose still stinging where it had hit the hearth Harry made his way swiftly and silently toward the door but before hed got halfway toward it two people appeared on the other side of the glass and one of them was the very last person Harry wanted to meet when he was lost covered in soot and wearing broken glasses Draco Malfoy .Harry looked quickly around and spotted a large black cabinet to his left he shot inside it and pulled the doors closed leaving a small crack to peer through .Seconds later a bell clanged and Malfoy stepped into the shop .The man who followed could only be Dracos father .He had the same pale pointed face and identical cold gray eyes .Mr Malfoy crossed the shop looking lazily at the items on display and rang a bell on the counter before turning to his son and saying Touch nothing Draco .Malfoy who had reached for the glass eye said I thought you were going to buy me a present .I said I would buy you a racing broom said his father drumming his fingers on the counter .Whats the good of that if Im not on the House team ?said Malfoy looking sulky and badtempered .Harry Potter got a Nimbus Two Thousand last year .Special permission from Dumbledore so he could play for Gryffindor .Hes not even that good its just because hes famous .famous for having a stupid scar on his forehead .Malfoy bent down to examine a shelf full of skulls . .everyone thinks hes so smart wonderful Potter with his scar and his broomstick You have told me this at least a dozen times already said Mr Malfoy with a quelling look at his son .And I would remind you that it is not prudent to appear less than fond of Harry Potter not when most of our kind regard him as the hero who made the Dark Lord disappear ah Mr Borgin .A stooping man had appeared behind the counter smoothing his greasy hair back from his face .Mr Malfoy what a pleasure to see you again said Mr Borgin in a voice as oily as his hair .Delighted and young Master Malfoy too charmed .How may I be of assistance ?I must show you just in today and very reasonably priced Im not buying today Mr Borgin but selling said Mr Malfoy .Selling ?The smile faded slightly from Mr Borgin s face .You have heard of course that the Ministry is conducting more raids said Mr Malfoy taking a roll of parchment from his inside pocket and unraveling it for Mr Borgin to read .I have a few ah items at home that might embarrass me if the Ministry were to call .Mr Borgin fixed a pair of pincenez to his nose and looked down the list .The Ministry wouldnt presume to trouble you sir surely ?Mr Malfoys lip curled .I have not been visited yet .The name Malfoy still commands a certain respect yet the Ministry grows ever more meddlesome .There are rumors about a new Muggle Protection Act no doubt that flea bitten Muggleloving fool Arthur Weasley is behind it Harry felt a hot surge of anger .and as you see certain of these poisons might make it appear I understand sir of course said Mr Borgin .Let me see .Can I have that ?interrupted Draco pointing at the withered hand on its cushion .Ah the Hand of Glory !said Mr Borgin abandoning Mr Malfoys list and scurrying over to Draco .Insert a candle and it gives light only to the holder !Best friend of thieves and plunderers !Your son has fine taste sir .I hope my son will amount to more than a thief or a plunderer Borgin said Mr Malfoy coldly and Mr Borgin said quickly No offense sir no offense meant Though if his grades dont pick up said Mr Malfoy more coldly still that may indeed be all he is fit for Its not my fault retorted Draco .The teachers all have favorites that Hermione Granger I would have thought youd be ashamed that a girl of no wizard family beat you in every exam snapped Mr Malfoy .Ha !said Harry under his breath pleased to see Draco looking both abashed and angry .Its the same all over said Mr Borgin in his oily voice .Wizard blood is counting for less everywhere Not with me said Mr Malfoy his long nostrils flaring .No sir nor with me sir said Mr Borgin with a deep bow .In that case perhaps we can return to my list said Mr Malfoy shortly .I am in something of a hurry Borgin I have important business elsewhere today They started to haggle .Harry watched nervously as Draco drew nearer and nearer to his hiding place examining the objects for sale .Draco paused to examine a long coil of hangmans rope and to read smirking the card propped on a magnificent necklace of opals Caution Do Not Touch .Cursed Has Claimed the Lives of Nineteen Muggle Owners to Date .Draco turned away and saw the cabinet right in front of him .He walked forward he stretched out his hand for the handle Done said Mr Malfoy at the counter .Come Draco Harry wiped his forehead on his sleeve as Draco turned away .Good day to you Mr Borgin .Ill expect you at the manor tomorrow to pick up the goods .The moment the door had closed Mr Borgin dropped his oily manner .Good day yourself Mister Malfoy and if the stories are true you havent sold me half of whats hidden in your manor .Muttering darkly Mr Borgin disappeared into a back room .Harry waited for a minute in case he came back then quietly as he could slipped out of the cabinet past the glass cases and out of the shop door .Clutching his broken glasses to his face Harry stared around .He had emerged into a dingy alleyway that seemed to be made up entirely of shops devoted to the Dark Arts .The one hed just left Borgin and Burkes looked like the largest but opposite was a nasty window display of shrunken heads and two doors down a large cage was alive with gigantic black spiders .Two shab bylooking wizards were watching him from the shadow of a doorway muttering to each other .Feeling jumpy Harry set off trying to hold his glasses on straight and hoping against hope hed be able to find a way out of here .An old wooden street sign hanging over a shop selling poisonous candles told him he was in Knockturn Alley .This didnt help as Harry had never heard of such a place .He supposed he hadnt spoken clearly enough through his mouthful of ashes back in the Weasleys fire .Trying to stay calm he wondered what to do .Not lost are you my dear ?said a voice in his ear making him jump .An aged witch stood in front of him holding a tray of what looked horribly like whole human fingernails .She leered at him showing mossy teeth .Harry backed away .Im fine thanks he said .Im just HARRY !What dyeh think yer doin down there ?Harrys heart leapt .So did the witch a load of fingernails cascaded down over her feet and she cursed as the massive form of Hagrid the Hogwarts gamekeeper came striding toward them beetleblack eyes flashing over his great bristling beard .Hagrid !Harry croaked in relief .I was lost Floo powder Hagrid seized Harry by the scruff of the neck and pulled him away from the witch knocking the tray right out of her hands .Her shrieks followed them all the way along the twisting alleyway out into bright sunlight .Harry saw a familiar snowwhite marble building in the distance Gringotts Bank .Hagrid had steered him right into Diagon Alley .Yer a mess !said Hagrid gruffly brushing soot off Harry so forcefully he nearly knocked him into a barrel of dragon dung outside an apothecary .Skulkin around Knockturn Alley I dunno dodgy place Harry don want no one ter see yeh down there I realized that said Harry ducking as Hagrid made to brush him off again .I told you I was lost what were you doing down there anyway ?I was lookin fer a FleshEatin Slug Repellent growled Hagrid .Theyre ruinin the school cabbages .Yer not on yer own ?Im staying with the Weasleys but we got separated Harry explained .Ive got to go and find them .They set off together down the street .How come yeh never wrote back ter me ?said Hagrid as Harry jogged alongside him he had to take three steps to every stride of Hagrid s enormous boots .Harry explained all about Dobby and the Dursleys .Lousy Muggles growled Hagrid .If Idve known Harry !Harry !Over here !Harry looked up and saw Hermione Granger standing at the top of the white flight of steps to Gringotts .She ran down to meet them her bushy brown hair flying behind her .What happened to your glasses ?Hello Hagrid Oh its wonderful to see you two again Are you coming into Gringotts Harry ?As soon as Ive found the Weasleys said Harry .Yeh wont have long ter wait Hagrid said with a grin .Harry and Hermione looked around Sprinting up the crowded street were Ron Fred George Percy and Mr Weasley .Harry Mr Weasley panted .We hoped youd only gone one grate too far .He mopped his glistening bald patch .Mollys frantic shes coming now Where did you come out ?Ron asked .Knockturn Alley said Hagrid grimly .Excellent .said Fred and George together .Weve never been allowed in said Ron enviously .I should ruddy well think not growled Hagrid .Mrs Weasley now came galloping into view her handbag swinging wildly in one hand Ginny just clinging onto the other .Oh Harry oh my dear you could have been anywhere Gasping for breath she pulled a large clothes brush out of her bag and began sweeping off the soot Hagrid hadnt managed to beat away .Mr Weasley took Harrys glasses gave them a tap of his wand and returned them good as new .Well gotta be off said Hagrid who was having his hand wrung by Mrs Weasley Knockturn Alley !If you hadnt found him Hagrid .See yer at Hogwarts !And he strode away head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the packed street .Guess who I saw in Borgin and Burkes ?Harry asked Ron and Hermione as they climbed the Gringotts steps .Malfoy and his father .Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything ?said Mr Weasley sharply behind them .No he was selling So hes worried said Mr Weasley with grim satisfaction .Oh Id love to get Lucius Malfoy for something .You be careful Arthur said Mrs Weasley sharply as they were bowed into the bank by a goblin at the door .That familys trouble .Dont go biting off more than you can chew So you dont think Im a match for Lucius Malfoy ?said Mr Weasley indignantly but he was distracted almost at once by the sight of Hermiones parents who were standing nervously at the counter that ran all along the great marble hall waiting for Hermione to introduce them .But youre Mugglesl said Mr Weasley delightedly .We must have a drink !Whats that youve got there ?Oh youre changing Muggle money .Molly look !He pointed excitedly at the tenpound notes in Mr Grangers hand .Meet you back here Ron said to Hermione as the Weasleys and Harry were led off to their underground vaults by another Gringotts goblin .The vaults were reached by means of small goblin driven carts that sped along minature train tracks through the banks underground tunnels .Harry enjoyed the breakneck journey down to the Weasleys vault but felt dreadful far worse than he had in Knock turn Alley when it was opened .There was a very small pile of silver Sickles inside and just one gold Galleon .Mrs Weasley felt right into the corners before sweeping the whole lot into her bag .Harry felt even worse when they reached his vault .He tried to block the contents from view as he hastily shoved handfuls of coins into a leather bag .Back outside on the marble steps they all separated .Percy muttered vaguely about needing a new quill .Fred and George had spotted their friend from Hogwarts Lee Jordan .Mrs Weasley and Ginny were going to a secondhand robe shop .Mr Weasley was insisting on taking the Grangers off to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink .Well all meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour to buy your schoolbooks said Mrs Weasley setting off with Ginny .And not one step down Knockturn Alley !she shouted at the twins retreating backs .Harry Ron and Hermione strolled off along the winding cobbled street .The bag of gold silver and bronze jangling cheerfully in Harrys pocket was clamoring to be spent so he bought three large strawberryandpeanutbutter ice creams which they slurped happily as they wandered up the alley examining the fascinating shop windows .Ron gazed longingly at a full set of Chudley Cannon robes in the windows of Quality Quidditch Supplies until Hermione dragged them off to buy ink and parchment next door .In Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop they met Fred George and Lee Jordan who were stocking up on Dr .Filibusters Fabulous Wet Start NoHeat Fireworks and in a tiny junk shop full of broken wands lopsided brass scales and old cloaks covered in potion stains they found Percy deeply immersed in a small and deeply boring book called Prefects Who Gained Power .A study of Hogwarts prefects and their later careers Ron read aloud off the back cover .That sounds fascinating .Go away Percy snapped .Course hes very ambitious Percy hes got it all planned out .He wants to be Minister of Magic .Ron told Harry and Hermione in an undertone as they left Percy to it .An hour later they headed for Flourish and Blotts .They were by no means the only ones making their way to the bookshop .As they approached it they saw to their surprise a large crowd jostling outside the doors trying to get in .The reason for this was proclaimed by a large banner stretched across the upper windows GILDEROY LOCKHART will be signing copies of his autobiography MAGICAL ME today 1230 p .m .to 430 p .m .We can actually meet him !Hermione squealed .I mean hes written almost the whole booklist !The crowd seemed to be made up mostly of witches around Mrs Weasleys age .A harassedlooking wizard stood at the door saying Calmly please ladies .Dont push there .mind the books now .Harry Ron and Hermione squeezed inside .A long line wound right to the back of the shop where Gilderoy Lockhart was signing his books .They each grabbed a copy of The Standard Book of Spells Grade 2 and sneaked up the line to where the rest of the Weasleys were standing with Mr and Mrs Granger .Oh there you are good said Mrs Weasley .She sounded breathless and kept patting her hair .Well be able to see him in a minute .Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd .The real Lockhart was wearing robes of forget menot blue that exactly matched his eyes his pointed wizards hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair .A short irritablelooking man was dancing around taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with every blinding flash .Out of the way there he snarled at Ron moving back to get a better shot .This is for the Daily Prophet Big deal said Ron rubbing his foot where the photographer had stepped on it .Gilderoy Lockhart heard him .He looked up .He saw Ron and then he saw Harry .He stared .Then he leapt to his feet and positively shouted It cant be Harry Potter ?The crowd parted whispering excitedly Lockhart dived forward seized Harrys arm and pulled him to the front .The crowd burst into applause .Harrys face burned as Lockhart shook his hand for the photographer who was clicking away madly wafting thick smoke over the Weasleys .Nice big smile Harry said Lockhart through his own gleaming teeth .Together you and I are worth the front page .When he finally let go of Harrys hand Harry could hardly feel his fingers .He tried to sidle back over to the Weasleys but Lockhart threw an arm around his shoulders and clamped him tightly to his side .Ladies and gentlemen he said loudly waving for quiet .What an extraordinary moment this is !The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement Ive been sitting on for some time !When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today he only wanted to buy my autobiography which I shall be happy to present him now free of charge The crowd applauded again .He had no idea Lockhart continued giving Harry a little shake that made his glasses slip to the end of his nose that he would shortly be getting much much more than my book Magical Me .He and his schoolmates will in fact be getting the real magical me .Yes ladies and gentlemen I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry !The crowd cheered and clapped and Harry found himself being presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart .Staggering slightly under their weight he managed to make his way out of the limelight to the edge of the room where Ginny was standing next to her new cauldron .You have these Harry mumbled to her tipping the books into the cauldron .Ill buy my own Bet you loved that didnt you Potter ?said a voice Harry had no trouble recognizing .He straightened up and found himself facetoface with Draco Malfoy who was wearing his usual sneer .Famous Harry Potter said Malfoy .Cant even go into a bookshop without making the front page .Leave him alone he didnt want all that !said Ginny .It was the first time she had spoken in front of Harry .She was glaring at Malfoy .Potter youve got yourself a girlfriend .drawled Malfoy .Ginny went scarlet as Ron and Hermione fought their way over both clutching stacks of Lockharts books .Oh its you said Ron looking at Malfoy as if he were something unpleasant on the sole of his shoe .Bet youre surprised to see Harry here eh ?Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop Weasley retorted Malfoy .I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those .Ron went as red as Ginny .He dropped his books into the cauldron too and started toward Malfoy but Harry and Hermione grabbed the back of his jacket .Ron !said Mr Weasley struggling over with Fred and George .What are you doing ?Its too crowded in here lets go outside .Well well well Arthur Weasley .It was Mr Malfoy .He stood with his hand on Dracos shoulder sneering in just the same way .Lucius said Mr Weasley nodding coldly .Busy time at the Ministry I hear said Mr Malfoy .All those raids .I hope theyre paying you overtime ?He reached into Ginnys cauldron and extracted from amid the glossy Lockhart books a very old very battered copy of A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration .Obviously not Mr Malfoy said .Dear me whats the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they dont even pay you well for it ?Mr Weasley flushed darker than either Ron or Ginny .We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard Malfoy he said .Clearly said Mr Malfoy his pale eyes straying to Mr and Mrs Granger who were watching apprehensively .The company you keep Weasley .and I thought your family could sink no lower There was a thud of metal as Ginnys cauldron went flying Mr Weasley had thrown himself at Mr Malfoy knocking him backward into a bookshelf .Dozens of heavy spellbooks came thundering down on all their heads there was a yell of Get him Dad !from Fred or George Mrs Weasley was shrieking No Arthur no !the crowd stampeded backward knocking more shelves over Gentlemen please please !cried the assistant and then louder than all Break it up there gents break it up Hagrid was wading toward them through the sea of books .In an instant he had pulled Mr Weasley and Mr Malfoy apart .Mr Weasley had a cut lip and Mr Malfoy had been hit in the eye by an Encyclopedia of Toadstools .He was still holding Ginnys old Transfiguration book .He thrust it at her his eyes glittering with malice .Here girl take your book its the best your father can give you Pulling himself out of Hagrids grip he beckoned to Draco and swept from the shop .Yeh shouldve ignored him Arthur said Hagrid almost lifting Mr Weasley off his feet as he straightened his robes .Rotten ter the core the whole family everyone knows that no Malfoys worth listenin ter bad blood thats what it is come on now lets get outta here .The assistant looked as though he wanted to stop them from leaving but he barely came up to Hagrids waist and seemed to think better of it .They hurried up the street the Grangers shaking with fright and Mrs Weasley beside herself with fury .A fine example to set for your children .brawling in public .what Gilderoy Lockhart mustve thought He was pleased said Fred .Didnt you hear him as we were leaving ?He was asking that bloke from the Daily Prophet if hed be able to work the fight into his report said it was all publicity But it was a subdued group that headed back to the fireside in the Leaky Cauldron where Harry the Weasleys and all their shopping would be traveling back to the Burrow using Floo powder .They said goodbye to the Grangers who were leaving the pub for the Muggle street on the other side Mr Weasley started to ask them how bus stops worked but stopped quickly at the look on Mrs Weasleys face .Harry took off his glasses and put them safely in his pocket before helping himself to Floo powder .It definitely wasnt his favorite way to travel .5 THE WHOMPING WILLOW The end of the summer vacation came too quickly for Harrys liking .He was looking forward to getting back to Hogwarts but his month at the Burrow had been the happiest of his life .It was difficult not to feel jealous of Ron when he thought of the Dursleys and the sort of welcome he could expect next time he turned up on Privet Drive .On their last evening Mrs Weasley conjured up a sumptuous dinner that included all of Harrys favorite things ending with a mouthwatering treacle pudding .Fred and George rounded off the evening with a display of Filibuster fireworks they filled the kitchen with red and blue stars that bounced from ceiling to wall for at least half an hour .Then it was time for a last mug of hot chocolate and bed .It took a long while to get started next morning .They were up at dawn but somehow they still seemed to have a great deal to do .Mrs Weasley dashed about in a bad mood looking for spare socks and quills people kept colliding on the stairs halfdressed with bits of toast in their hands and Mr Weasley nearly broke his neck tripping over a stray chicken as he crossed the yard carrying Ginnys trunk to the car .Harry couldnt see how eight people six large trunks two owls and a rat were going to fit into one small Ford Anglia .He had reckoned of course without the special features that Mr Weasley had added .Not a word to Molly he whispered to Harry as he opened the trunk and showed him how it had been magically expanded so that the luggage fitted easily .When at last they were all in the car Mrs Weasley glanced into the back seat where Harry Ron Fred George and Percy were all sitting comfortably side by side and said Muggles do know more than we give them credit for dont they ?She and Ginny got into the front seat which had been stretched so that it resembled a park bench .I mean youd never know it was this roomy from the outside would you ?Mr Weasley started up the engine and they trundled out of the yard Harry turning back for a last look at the house .He barely had time to wonder when hed see it again when they were back George had forgotten his box of Filibuster fireworks .Five minutes after that they skidded to a halt in the yard so that Fred could run in for his broomstick .They had almost reached the highway when Ginny shrieked that shed left her diary .By the time she had clambered back into the car they were running very late and tempers were running high .Mr Weasley glanced at his watch and then at his wife .Molly dear No Arthur No one would see this little button here is an Invisibility Booster I installed thatd get us up in the air then we fly above the clouds .Wed be there in ten minutes and no one would be any the wiser I said no Arthur not in broad daylight They reached Kings Cross at a quarter to eleven .Mr Weasley dashed across the road to get trolleys for their trunks and they all hurried into the station .Harry had caught the Hogwarts Express the previous year .The tricky part was getting onto platform nine and threequarters which wasnt visible to the Muggle eye .What you had to do was walk through the solid barrier dividing platforms nine and ten .It didnt hurt but it had to be done carefully so that none of the Muggles noticed you vanishing .Percy first said Mrs Weasley looking nervously at the clock overhead which showed they had only five minutes to disappear casually through the barrier .Percy strode briskly forward and vanished .Mr Weasley went next Fred and George followed .Ill take Ginny and you two come right after us Mrs Weasley told Harry and Ron grabbing Ginnys hand and setting off .In the blink of an eye they were gone .Lets go together weve only got a minute Ron said to Harry .Harry made sure that Hedwigs cage was safely wedged on top of his trunk and wheeled his trolley around to face the barrier .He felt perfectly confident this wasnt nearly as uncomfortable as using Floo powder .Both of them bent low over the handles of their trolleys and walked purposefully toward the barrier gathering speed .A few feet away from it they broke into a run and CRASH .Both trolleys hit the barrier and bounced backward Rons trunk fell off with a loud thump Harry was knocked off his feet and Hedwigs cage bounced onto the shiny floor and she rolled away shrieking indignantly people all around them stared and a guard nearby yelled What in blazes dyou think youre doing ?Lost control of the trolley Harry gasped clutching his ribs as he got up .Ron ran to pick up Hedwig who was causing such a scene that there was a lot of muttering about cruelty to animals from the surrounding crowd .Why cant we get through ?Harry hissed to Ron .I dunno Ron looked wildly around .A dozen curious people were still watching them .Were going to miss the train Ron whispered .I dont understand why the gateways sealed itself Harry looked up at the giant clock with a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach .Ten seconds .nine seconds .He wheeled his trolley forward cautiously until it was right against the barrier and pushed with all his might .The metal remained solid .Three seconds .two seconds .one second .Its gone said Ron sounding stunned .The trains left .What if Mum and Dad cant get back through to us ?Have you got any Muggle money ?Harry gave a hollow laugh .The Dursleys havent given me pocket money for about six years .Ron pressed his ear to the cold barrier .Cant hear a thing he said tensely .Whatre we going to do ?I dont know how long itll take Mum and Dad to get back to us .They looked around .People were still watching them mainly because of Hedwigs continuing screeches .I think wed better go and wait by the car said Harry .Were attracting too much atten Harry !said Ron his eyes gleaming .The car !What about it ?We can fly the car to Hogwarts !But I thought Were stuck right ?And weve got to get to school havent we ?And even underage wizards are allowed to use magic if its a real emergency section nineteen or something of the Restriction of Thingy But your mum and dad .said Harry pushing against the barrier again in the vain hope that it would give way .How will they get home ?They dont need the car !said Ron impatiently .They know how to Apparate !You know just vanish and reappear at home !They only bother with Floo powder and the car because were all underage and were not allowed to Apparate yet .Harrys feeling of panic turned suddenly to excitement .Can you fly it ?No problem said Ron wheeling his trolley around to face the exit .Cmon lets go .If we hurry well be able to follow the Hogwarts Express And they marched off through the crowd of curious Muggles out of the station and back onto the side road where the old Ford Anglia was parked .Ron unlocked the cavernous trunk with a series of taps from his wand .They heaved their luggage back in put Hedwig on the back seat and got into the front .Check that no ones watching said Ron starting the ignition with another tap of his wand .Harry stuck his head out of the window Traffic was rumbling along the main road ahead but their street was empty .Okay he said .Ron pressed a tiny silver button on the dashboard .The car around them vanished and so did they .Harry could feel the seat vibrating beneath him hear the engine feel his hands on his knees and his glasses on his nose but for all he could see he had become a pair of eyeballs floating a few feet above the ground in a dingy street full of parked cars .Lets go said Rons voice from his right .And the ground and the dirty buildings on either side fell away dropping out of sight as the car rose in seconds the whole of London lay smoky and glittering below them .Then there was a popping noise and the car Harry and Ron reappeared .Uhoh said Ron jabbing at the Invisibility Booster .Its faulty Both of them pummeled it .The car vanished .Then it flickered back again .Hold on !Ron yelled and he slammed his foot on the accelerator they shot straight into the low woolly clouds and everything turned dull and foggy .Now what ?said Harry blinking at the solid mass of cloud pressing in on them from all sides .We need to see the train to know what direction to go in said Ron .Dip back down again quickly They dropped back beneath the clouds and twisted around in their seats squinting at the ground .I can see it !Harry yelled .Right ahead there !The Hogwarts Express was streaking along below them like a scarlet snake .Due north said Ron checking the compass on the dashboard .Okay well just have to check on it every half hour or so hold on And they shot up through the clouds .A minute later they burst out into a blaze of sunlight .It was a different world .The wheels of the car skimmed the sea of fluffy cloud the sky a bright endless blue under the blinding white sun .All weve got to worry about now are airplanes said Ron .They looked at each other and started to laugh for a long time they couldnt stop .It was as though they had been plunged into a fabulous dream .This thought Harry was surely the only way to travel past swirls and turrets of snowy cloud in a car full of hot bright sunlight with a fat pack of toffees in the glove compartment and the prospect of seeing Freds and Georges jealous faces when they landed smoothly and spectacularly on the sweeping lawn in front of Hogwarts castle .They made regular checks on the train as they flew farther and farther north each dip beneath the clouds showing them a different view .London was soon far behind them replaced by neat green fields that gave way in turn to wide purplish moors a great city alive with cars like multicolored ants villages with tiny toy churches .Several uneventful hours later however Harry had to admit that some of the fun was wearing off .The toffees had made them extremely thirsty and they had nothing to drink .He and Ron had pulled off their sweaters but Harrys Tshirt was sticking to the back of his seat and his glasses kept sliding down to the end of his sweaty nose .He had stopped noticing the fantastic cloud shapes now and was thinking longingly of the train miles below where you could buy icecold pumpkin juice from a trolley pushed by a plump witch .Why hadnt they been able to get onto platform nine and threequarters ?Cant be much further can it ?croaked Ron hours later still as the sun started to sink into their floor of cloud staining it a deep pink .Ready for another check on the train ?It was still right below them winding its way past a snowcapped mountain .It was much darker beneath the canopy of clouds .Ron put his foot on the accelerator and drove them upward again but as he did so the engine began to whine .Harry and Ron exchanged nervous glances .Its probably just tired said Ron .Its never been this far before .And they both pretended not to notice the whining growing louder and louder as the sky became steadily darker .Stars were blossoming in the blackness .Harry pulled his sweater back on trying to ignore the way the windshield wipers were now waving feebly as though in protest .Not far said Ron more to the car than to Harry not far now and he patted the dashboard nervously .When they flew back beneath the clouds a little while later they had to squint through the darkness for a landmark they knew .There !Harry shouted making Ron and Hedwig jump .Straight ahead !Silhouetted on the dark horizon high on the cliff over the lake stood the many turrets and towers of Hogwarts castle .But the car had begun to shudder and was losing speed .Come on Ron said cajolingly giving the steering wheel a little shake nearly there come on The engine groaned .Narrow jets of steam were issuing from under the hood .Harry found himself gripping the edges of his seat very hard as they flew toward the lake .The car gave a nasty wobble .Glancing out of his window Harry saw the smooth black glassy surface of the water a mile below .Rons knuckles were white on the steering wheel .The car wobbled again .Come on Ron muttered .They were over the lake the castle was right ahead Ron put his foot down .There was a loud clunk a splutter and the engine died completely .Uhoh said Ron into the silence .The nose of the car dropped .They were falling gathering speed heading straight for the solid castle wall .IVoooooo !Ron yelled swinging the steering wheel around they missed the dark stone wall by inches as the car turned in a great arc soaring over the dark greenhouses then the vegetable patch and then out over the black lawns losing altitude all the time .Ron let go of the steering wheel completely and pulled his wand out of his back pocket STOP !STOP !he yelled whacking the dashboard and the windshield but they were still plummeting the ground flying up toward them WATCH OUT FOR THAT TREE !Harry bellowed lunging for the steering wheel but too late CRUNCH .With an earsplitting bang of metal on wood they hit the thick tree trunk and dropped to the ground with a heavy jolt .Steam was billowing from under the crumpled hood Hedwig was shrieking in terror a golfballsized lump was throbbing on Harrys head where he had hit the windshield and to his right Ron let out a low despairing groan .Are you okay ?Harry said urgently .My wand said Ron in a shaky voice .Look at my wand It had snapped almost in two the tip was dangling limply held on by a few splinters .Harry opened his mouth to say he was sure theyd be able to mend it up at the school but he never even got started .At that very moment something hit his side of the car with the force of a charging bull sending him lurching sideways into Ron just as an equally heavy blow hit the roof .Whats happen ?Ron gasped staring through the windshield and Harry looked around just in time to see a branch as thick as a python smash into it .The tree they had hit was attacking them .Its trunk was bent almost double and its gnarled boughs were pummeling every inch of the car it could reach .aargh !said Ron as another twisted limb punched a large dent into his door the windshield was now trembling under a hail of blows from knucklelike twigs and a branch as thick as a battering ram was pounding furiously on the roof which seemed to be caving Run for it !Ron shouted throwing his full weight against his door but next second he had been knocked backward into Harrys lap by a vicious uppercut from another branch .Were done for !he moaned as the ceiling sagged but suddenly the floor of the car was vibrating the engine had restarted .Reverse !Harry yelled and the car shot backward the tree was still trying to hit them they could hear its roots creaking as it almost ripped itself up lashing out at them as they sped out of reach .That panted Ron was close .Well done car The car however had reached the end of its tether .With two sharp clunks the doors flew open and Harry felt his seat tip sideways Next thing he knew he was sprawled on the damp ground .Loud thuds told him that the car was ejecting their luggage from the trunk Hedwigs cage flew through the air and burst open she rose out of it with an angry screech and sped off toward the castle without a backward look .Then dented scratched and steaming the car rumbled off into the darkness its rear lights blazing angrily .Come back !Ron yelled after it brandishing his broken wand .Dadll kill me !But the car disappeared from view with one last snort from its exhaust .Can you believe our luck ?said Ron miserably bending down to pick up Scabbers .Of all the trees we couldve hit we had to get one that hits back .He glanced over his shoulder at the ancient tree which was still flailing its branches threateningly .Come on said Harry wearily wed better get up to the school .It wasnt at all the triumphant arrival they had pictured .Stiff cold and bruised they seized the ends of their trunks and began dragging them up the grassy slope toward the great oak front doors .I think the feasts already started said Ron dropping his trunk at the foot of the front steps and crossing quietly to look through a brightly lit window .Hey Harry come and look its the Sorting !Harry hurried over and together he and Ron peered in at the Great Hall .Innumerable candles were hovering in midair over four long crowded tables making the golden plates and goblets sparkle .Overhead the bewitched ceiling which always mirrored the sky outside sparkled with stars .Through the forest of pointed black Hogwarts hats Harry saw a long line of scaredlooking first years filing into the Hall .Ginny was among them easily visible because of her vivid Weasley hair .Meanwhile Professor McGonagall a bespectacled witch with her hair in a tight bun was placing the famous Hogwarts Sorting Hat on a stool before the newcomers .Every year this aged old hat patched frayed and dirty sorted new students into the four Hogwarts houses Gryffindor Hufflepuff Ravenclaw and Slytherin .Harry well remembered putting it on exactly one year ago and waiting petrified for its decision as it muttered aloud in his ear .For a few horrible seconds he had feared that the hat was going to put him in Slytherin the House that had turned out more Dark witches and wizards than any other but he had ended up in Gryffindor along with Ron Hermione and the rest of the Weasleys .Last term Harry and Ron had helped Gryffindor win the House Championship beating Slytherin for the first time in seven years .A very small mousyhaired boy had been called forward to place the hat on his head .Harrys eyes wandered past him to where Professor Dumbledore the headmaster sat watching the Sorting from the staff table his long silver beard and halfmoon glasses shining brightly in the candlelight .Several seats along Harry saw Gilderoy Lockhart dressed in robes of aquamarine .And there at the end was Hagrid huge and hairy drinking deeply from his goblet .Hang on .Harry muttered to Ron .Theres an empty chair at the staff table .Wheres Snape ?Professor Severus Snape was Harrys least favorite teacher .Harry also happened to be Snape s least favorite student .Cruel sarcastic and disliked by everybody except the students from his own House Slytherin Snape taught Potions .Maybe hes ill !said Ron hopefully .Maybe hes left said Harry because he missed out on the Defense Against the Dark Arts job again .Or he might have been sacked .said Ron enthusiastically .I mean everyone hates him Or maybe said a very cold voice right behind them hes waiting to hear why you two didnt arrive on the school train .Harry spun around .There his black robes rippling in a cold breeze stood Severus Snape .He was a thin man with sallow skin a hooked nose and greasy shoulderlength black hair and at this moment he was smiling in a way that told Harry he and Ron were in very deep trouble .Follow me said Snape .Not daring even to look at each other Harry and Ron followed Snape up the steps into the vast echoing entrance hall which was lit with flaming torches .A delicious smell of food was wafting from the Great Hall but Snape led them away from the warmth and light down a narrow stone staircase that led into the dungeons .In !he said opening a door halfway down the cold passageway and pointing .They entered Snapes office shivering .The shadowy walls were lined with shelves of large glass jars in which floated all manner of revolting things Harry didnt really want to know the name of at the moment .The fireplace was dark and empty .Snape closed the door and turned to look at them .So he said softly the train isnt good enough for the famous Harry Potter and his faithful sidekick Weasley .Wanted to arrive with a bang did we boys ?No sir it was the barrier at Kings Cross it Silence !said Snape coldly .What have you done with the car ?Ron gulped .This wasnt the first time Snape had given Harry the impression of being able to read minds .But a moment later he understood as Snape unrolled todays issue of the Evening Prophet You were seen he hissed showing them the headline FLYING FORD ANGLIA MYSTIFIES MUGGLES .He began to read aloud Two Muggles in London convinced they saw an old car flying over the Post Office tower .at noon in Norfolk Mrs Hetty Bayliss while hanging out her washing .Mr Angus Fleet of Peebles reported to police .Six or seven Muggles in all .I believe your father works in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office ?he said looking up at Ron and smiling still more nastily .Dear dear .his own son .Harry felt as though hed just been walloped in the stomach by one of the mad trees larger branches .If anyone found out Mr Weasley had bewitched the car .he hadnt thought of that .I noticed in my search of the park that considerable damage seems to have been done to a very valuable Whomping Willow Snape went on .That tree did more damage to us than we Ron blurted out .Silence !snapped Snape again .Most unfortunately you are not in my House and the decision to expel you does not rest with me .I shall go and fetch the people who do have that happy power .You will wait here .Harry and Ron stared at each other whitefaced .Harry didnt feel hungry anymore .He now felt extremely sick .He tried not to look at a large slimy something suspended in green liquid on a shelf behind Snape s desk .If Snape had gone to fetch Professor McGonagall head of Gryffindor House they were hardly any better off .She might be fairer than Snape but she was still extremely strict .Ten minutes later Snape returned and sure enough it was Professor McGonagall who accompanied him .Harry had seen Professor McGonagall angry on several occasions but either he had forgotten just how thin her mouth could go or he had never seen her this angry before .She raised her wand the moment she entered Harry and Ron both flinched but she merely pointed it at the empty fireplace where flames suddenly erupted .Sit she said and they both backed into chairs by the fire .Explain she said her glasses glinting ominously .Ron launched into the story starting with the barrier at the station refusing to let them through .so we had no choice Professor we couldnt get on the train .Why didnt you send us a letter by owl ?I believe you have an owl ?Professor McGonagall said coldly to Harry .Harry gaped at her .Now shed said it that seemed the obvious thing to have done .I I didnt think That said Professor McGonagall is obvious .There was a knock on the office door and Snape now looking happier than ever opened it .There stood the headmaster Professor Dumbledore .Harrys whole body went numb .Dumbledore was looking unusually grave .He stared down his very crooked nose at them and Harry suddenly found himself wishing he and Ron were still being beaten up by the Whomping Willow .There was a long silence .Then Dumbledore said Please explain why you did this .It would have been better if he had shouted .Harry hated the disappointment in his voice .For some reason he was unable to look Dumbledore in the eyes and spoke instead to his knees .He told Dumbledore everything except that Mr Weasley owned the bewitched car making it sound as though he and Ron had happened to find a flying car parked outside the station .He knew Dumbledore would see through this at once but Dumbledore asked no questions about the car .When Harry had finished he merely continued to peer at them through his spectacles .Well go and get our stuff said Ron in a hopeless sort of voice .What are you talking about Weasley ?barked Professor McGonagall .Well youre expelling us arent you ?said Ron .Harry looked quickly at Dumbledore .Not today Mr Weasley said Dumbledore .But I must impress upon both of you the seriousness of what you have done .I will be writing to both your families tonight .I must also warn you that if you do anything like this again I will have no choice but to expel you .Snape looked as though Christmas had been canceled .He cleared his throat and said Professor Dumbledore these boys have flouted the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry caused serious damage to an old and valuable tree surely acts of this nature It will be for Professor McGonagall to decide on these boys punishments Severus said Dumbledore calmly .They are in her House and are therefore her responsibility .He turned to Professor McGonagall .I must go back to the feast Minerva Ive got to give out a few notices .Come Severus theres a delicious looking custard tart I want to sample Snape shot a look of pure venom at Harry and Ron as he allowed himself to be swept out of his office leaving them alone with Professor McGonagall who was still eyeing them like a wrathful eagle .Youd better get along to the hospital wing Weasley youre bleeding .Not much said Ron hastily wiping the cut over his eye with his sleeve .Professor I wanted to watch my sister being Sorted The Sorting Ceremony is over said Professor McGonagall .Your sister is also in Gryffindor .Oh good said Ron .And speaking of Gryffindor Professor McGonagall said sharply but Harry cut in Professor when we took the car term hadnt started so so Gryffindor shouldnt really have points taken from it should it ?he finished watching her anxiously .Professor McGonagall gave him a piercing look but he was sure she had almost smiled .Her mouth looked less thin anyway .I will not take any points from Gryffindor she said and Harrys heart lightened considerably .But you will both get a detention .It was better than Harry had expected .As for Dumbledores writing to the Dursleys that was nothing .Harry knew perfectly well theyd just be disappointed that the Whomping Willow hadnt squashed him flat .Professor McGonagall raised her wand again and pointed it at Snapes desk .A large plate of sandwiches two silver goblets and a jug of iced pumpkin juice appeared with a pop .You will eat in here and then go straight up to your dormitory she said .I must also return to the feast .When the door had closed behind her Ron let out a long low whistle .I thought wed had it he said grabbing a sandwich .So did I said Harry taking one too .Can you believe our luck though ?said Ron thickly through a mouthful of chicken and ham .Fred and George mustve flown that car five or six times and no Muggle ever saw them .He swallowed and took another huge bite .Why couldnt we get through the barrier ?Harry shrugged .Well have to watch our step from now on though he said taking a grateful swig of pumpkin juice .Wish we couldve gone up to the feast .She didnt want us showing off said Ron sagely .Doesnt want people to think its clever arriving by flying car .When they had eaten as many sandwiches as they could the plate kept refilling itself they rose and left the office treading the familiar path to Gryffindor Tower .The castle was quiet it seemed that the feast was over .They walked past muttering portraits and creaking suits of armor and climbed narrow flights of stone stairs until at last they reached the passage where the secret entrance to Gryffindor Tower was hidden behind an oil painting of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress .Password ?she said as they approached .Er said Harry .They didnt know the new years password not having met a Gryffindor prefect yet but help came almost immediately they heard hurrying feet behind them and turned to see Hermione dashing toward them .There you are !Where have you been ?The most ridiculous rumors someone said youd been expelled for crashing a flying car Well we havent been expelled Harry assured her .Youre not telling me you did fly here ?said Hermione sounding almost as severe as Professor McGonagall .Skip the lecture said Ron impatiently and tell us the new password .Its ‘wattlebird said Hermione impatiently but thats not the point Her words were cut short however as the portrait of the fat lady swung open and there was a sudden storm of clapping .It looked as though the whole of Gryffindor House was still awake packed into the circular common room standing on the lopsided tables and squashy armchairs waiting for them to arrive .Arms reached through the portrait hole to pull Harry and Ron inside leaving Hermione to scramble in after them .Brilliant !yelled Lee Jordan .Inspired !What an entrance !Flying a car right into the Whomping Willow peoplell be talking about that one for years Good for you said a fifth year Harry had never spoken to someone was patting him on the back as though hed just won a marathon Fred and George pushed their way to the front of the crowd and said together Why couldnt weve come in the car eh ?Ron was scarlet in the face grinning embarrassedly but Harry could see one person who didnt look happy at all .Percy was visible over the heads of some excited first years and he seemed to be trying to get near enough to start telling them off .Harry nudged Ron in the ribs and nodded in Percys direction .Ron got the point at once .Got to get upstairs bit tired he said and the two of them started pushing their way toward the door on the other side of the room which led to a spiral staircase and the dormitories .Night Harry called back to Hermione who was wearing a scowl just like Percys .They managed to get to the other side of the common room still having their backs slapped and gained the peace of the staircase .They hurried up it right to the top and at last reached the door of their old dormitory which now had a sign on it saying SECOND YEARS .They entered the familiar circular room with its five fourposters hung with red velvet and its high narrow windows .Their trunks had been brought up for them and stood at the ends of their beds .Ron grinned guiltily at Harry .I know I shouldnt ve enjoyed that or anything but The dormitory door flew open and in came the other second year Gryffindor boys Seamus Finnigan Dean Thomas and Neville Longbottom .Unbelievablel beamed Seamus .Cool said Dean .Amazing said Neville awestruck .Harry couldnt help it .He grinned too .6 GILDEROY LOCKHART The next day however Harry barely grinned once .Things started to go downhill from breakfast in the Great Hall .The four long House tables were laden with tureens of porridge plates of kippers mountains of toast and dishes of eggs and bacon beneath the enchanted ceiling today a dull cloudy gray .Harry and Ron sat down at the Gryffindor table next to Hermione who had her copy of Voyages with Vampires propped open against a milk jug .There was a slight stiffness in the way she said Morning which told Harry that she was still disapproving of the way they had arrived .Neville Longbottom on the other hand greeted them cheerfully .Neville was a roundfaced and accidentprone boy with the worst memory of anyone Harry had ever met .Mails due any minute I think Grans sending a few things I forgot .Harry had only just started his porridge when sure enough there was a rushing sound overhead and a hundred or so owls streamed in circling the hall and dropping letters and packages into the chattering crowd .A big lumpy package bounced off Nevilles head and a second later something large and gray fell into Hermiones jug spraying them all with milk and feathers .Errol said Ron pulling the bedraggled owl out by the feet .Errol slumped unconscious onto the table his legs in the air and a damp red envelope in his beak .Oh no Ron gasped .Its all right hes still alive said Hermione prodding Errol gently with the tip of her finger .Its not that its that .Ron was pointing at the red envelope .It looked quite ordinary to Harry but Ron and Neville were both looking at it as though they expected it to explode .Whats the matter ?said Harry .Shes shes sent me a Howler said Ron faintly .Youd better open it Ron said Neville in a timid whisper .Itll be worse if you dont .My gran sent me one once and I ignored it and he gulped it was horrible .Harry looked from their petrified faces to the red envelope .Whats a Howler ?he said .But Rons whole attention was fixed on the letter which had begun to smoke at the corners .Open it Neville urged .Itll all be over in a few minutes Ron stretched out a shaking hand eased the envelope from Errols beak and slit it open .Neville stuffed his fingers in his ears .A split second later Harry knew why .He thought for a moment it had exploded a roar of sound filled the huge hall shaking dust from the ceiling .STEALING THE CAR I WOULDNT HAVE BEEN SURPRISED IF THEYD EXPELLED YOU YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU I DONT SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW IT WAS GONE Mrs Weasleys yells a hundred times louder than usual made the plates and spoons rattle on the table and echoed deafeningly off the stone walls .People throughout the hall were swiveling around to see who had received the Howler and Ron sank so low in his chair that only his crimson forehead could be seen .LETTER FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT I THOUGHT YOUR FATHER WOULD DIE OF SHAME WE DIDNT BRING YOU UP TO BEHAVE LIKE THIS YOU AND HARRY COULD BOTH HAVE DIED Harry had been wondering when his name was going to crop up .He tried very hard to look as though he couldnt hear the voice that was making his eardrums throb .ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED YOUR FATHERS FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK ITS ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT AND IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE WELL BRING YOU STRAIGHT BACK HOME .A ringing silence fell .The red envelope which had dropped from Rons hand burst into flames and curled into ashes .Harry and Ron sat stunned as though a tidal wave had just passed over them .A few people laughed and gradually a babble of talk broke out again .Hermione closed Voyages with Vampires and looked down at the top of Rons head .Well I dont know what you expected Ron but you Dont tell me I deserved it snapped Ron .Harry pushed his porridge away .His insides were burning with guilt .Mr Weasley was facing an inquiry at work .After all Mr and Mrs Weasley had done for him over the summer .But he had no time to dwell on this Professor McGonagall was moving along the Gryffindor table handing out course schedules .Harry took his and saw that they had double Herbology with the Hufflepuffs first .Harry Ron and Hermione left the castle together crossed the vegetable patch and made for the greenhouses where the magical plants were kept .At least the Howler had done one good thing Hermione seemed to think they had now been punished enough and was being perfectly friendly again .As they neared the greenhouses they saw the rest of the class standing outside waiting for Professor Sprout .Harry Ron and Hermione had only just joined them when she came striding into view across the lawn accompanied by Gilderoy Lockhart .Professor Sprouts arms were full of bandages and with another twinge of guilt Harry spotted the Whomping Willow in the distance several of its branches now in slings .Professor Sprout was a squat little witch who wore a patched hat over her flyaway hair there was usually a large amount of earth on her clothes and her fingernails would have made Aunt Petunia faint .Gilderoy Lockhart however was immaculate in sweeping robes of turquoise his golden hair shining under a perfectly positioned turquoise hat with gold trimming .Oh hello there !he called beaming around at the assembled students .Just been showing Professor Sprout the right way to doctor a Whomping Willow !But I dont want you running away with the idea that Im better at Herbology than she is !I just happen to have met several of these exotic plants on my travels ?Greenhouse three today chaps !said Professor Sprout who was looking distinctly disgruntled not at all her usual cheerful self .There was a murmur of interest .They had only ever worked in greenhouse one before greenhouse three housed far more interesting and dangerous plants .Professor Sprout took a large key from her belt and unlocked the door .Harry caught a whiff of damp earth and fertilizer mingling with the heavy perfume of some giant umbrellasized flowers dangling from the ceiling .He was about to follow Ron and Hermione inside when Lockharts hand shot out .Harry !Ive been wanting a word you dont mind if hes a couple of minutes late do you Professor Sprout ?Judging by Professor Sprouts scowl she did mind but Lockhart said Thats the ticket and closed the greenhouse door in her face .Harry said Lockhart his large white teeth gleaming in the sunlight as he shook his head .Harry Harry Harry .Completely nonplussed Harry said nothing .When I heard well of course it was all my fault .Could have kicked myself .Harry had no idea what he was talking about .He was about to say so when Lockhart went on Dont know when Ive been more shocked .Flying a car to Hogwarts !Well of course I knew at once why youd done it .Stood out a mile .Harry Harry Harry .It was remarkable how he could show every one of those brilliant teeth even when he wasnt talking .Gave you a taste for publicity didnt I ?said Lockhart .Gave you the bug .You got onto the front page of the paper with me and you couldnt wait to do it again .Oh no Professor see Harry Harry Harry said Lockhart reaching out and grasping his shoulder .I understand .Natural to want a bit more once youve had that first taste and I blame myself for giving you that because it was bound to go to your head but see here young man you cant start flying cars to try and get yourself noticed .Just calm down all right ?Plenty of time for all that when youre older .Yes yes I know what youre thinking ! ‘Its all right for him hes an internationally famous wizard already !But when I was twelve I was just as much of a nobody as you are now .In fact Id say I was even more of a nobody !I mean a few people have heard of you havent they ?All that business with HeWhoMustNotBeNamed !He glanced at the lightning scar on Harrys forehead .I know I know its not quite as good as winning Witch Weeklys MostCharmingSmile Award five times in a row as I have but its a start Harry its a start He gave Harry a hearty wink and strode off .Harry stood stunned for a few seconds then remembering he was supposed to be in the greenhouse he opened the door and slid inside .Professor Sprout was standing behind a trestle bench in the center of the greenhouse .About twenty pairs of differentcolored earmuffs were lying on the bench .When Harry had taken his place between Ron and Hermione she said Well be repotting Mandrakes today .Now who can tell me the properties of the Mandrake ?To nobodys surprise Hermiones hand was first into the air .Mandrake or Mandragora is a powerful restorative said Hermione sounding as usual as though she had swallowed the textbook .It is used to return people who have been transfigured or cursed to their original state .Excellent .Ten points to Gryffindor said Professor Sprout .The Mandrake forms an essential part of most antidotes .It is also however dangerous .Who can tell me why ?Hermiones hand narrowly missed Harrys glasses as it shot up again .The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it she said promptly .Precisely .Take another ten points said Professor Sprout .Now the Mandrakes we have here are still very young .She pointed to a row of deep trays as she spoke and everyone shuffled forward for a better look .A hundred or so tufty little plants purplish green in color were growing there in rows .They looked quite unremarkable to Harry who didnt have the slightest idea what Hermione meant by the cry of the Mandrake .Everyone take a pair of earmuffs said Professor Sprout .There was a scramble as everyone tried to seize a pair that wasnt pink and fluffy .When I tell you to put them on make sure your ears are completely covered said Professor Sprout .When it is safe to remove them I will give you the thumbs up .Right earmuffs on .Harry snapped the earmuffs over his ears .They shut out sound completely .Professor Sprout put the pink fluffy pair over her own ears rolled up the sleeves of her robes grasped one of the tufty plants firmly and pulled hard .Harry let out a gasp of surprise that no one could hear .Instead of roots a small muddy and extremely ugly baby popped out of the earth .The leaves were growing right out of his head .He had pale green mottled skin and was clearly bawling at the top of his lungs .Professor Sprout took a large plant pot from under the table and plunged the Mandrake into it burying him in dark damp compost until only the tufted leaves were visible .Professor Sprout dusted off her hands gave them all the thumbsup and removed her own earmuffs .As our Mandrakes are only seedlings their cries wont kill yet she said calmly as though shed just done nothing more exciting than water a begonia .However they will knock you out for several hours and as Im sure none of you want to miss your first day back make sure your earmuffs are securely in place while you work .I will attract your attention when it is time to pack up .Four to a tray there is a large supply of pots here compost in the sacks over there and be careful of the Venomous Tentacula its teething .She gave a sharp slap to a spiky dark red plant as she spoke making it draw in the long feelers that had been inching sneakily over her shoulder .Harry Ron and Hermione were joined at their tray by a curlyhaired Hufflepuff boy Harry knew by sight but had never spoken to .Justin FinchFletchley he said brightly shaking Harry by the hand .Know who you are of course the famous Harry Potter .And youre Hermione Granger always top in everything Hermione beamed as she had her hand shaken too and Ron Weasley .Wasnt that your flying car ?Ron didnt smile .The Howler was obviously still on his mind .That Lockharts something isnt he ?said Justin happily as they began filling their plant pots with dragon dung compost .Awfully brave chap .Have you read his books ?Id have died of fear if Id been cornered in a telephone booth by a werewolf but he stayed cool and zap just fantastic .My name was down for Eton you know .I cant tell you how glad I am I came here instead .Of course Mother was slightly disappointed but since I made her read Lockharts books I think shes begun to see how useful itll be to have a fully trained wizard in the family .After that they didnt have much chance to talk .Their earmuffs were back on and they needed to concentrate on the Mandrakes .Professor Sprout had made it look extremely easy but it wasnt .The Mandrakes didnt like coming out of the earth but didnt seem to want to go back into it either .They squirmed kicked flailed their sharp little fists and gnashed their teeth Harry spent ten whole minutes trying to squash a particularly fat one into a pot .By the end of the class Harry like everyone else was sweaty aching and covered in earth .Everyone traipsed back to the castle for a quick wash and then the Gryffindors hurried off to Transfiguration .Professor McGonagalls classes were always hard work but today was especially difficult .Everything Harry had learned last year seemed to have leaked out of his head during the summer .He was supposed to be turning a beetle into a button but all he managed to do was give his beetle a lot of exercise as it scuttled over the desktop avoiding his wand .Ron was having far worse problems .He had patched up his wand with some borrowed Spellotape but it seemed to be damaged beyond repair .It kept crackling and sparking at odd moments and every time Ron tried to transfigure his beetle it engulfed him in thick gray smoke that smelled of rotten eggs .Unable to see what he was doing Ron accidentally squashed his beetle with his elbow and had to ask for a new one .Professor McGonagall wasnt pleased .Harry was relieved to hear the lunch bell .His brain felt like a wrung sponge .Everyone filed out of the classroom except him and Ron who was whacking his wand furiously on the desk .Stupid useless thing Write home for another one Harry suggested as the wand let off a volley of bangs like a firecracker .Oh yeah and get another Howler back said Ron stuffing the now hissing wand into his bag . ‘Its your own fault your wand got snapped They went down to lunch where Rons mood was not improved by Hermiones showing them the handful of perfect coat buttons she had produced in T ransfiguration .Whatve we got this afternoon ?said Harry hastily changing the subject .Defense Against the Dark Arts said Hermione at once .Why demanded Ron seizing her schedule have you outlined all Lockharts lessons in little hearts ?Hermione snatched the schedule back blushing furiously .They finished lunch and went outside into the overcast courtyard .Hermione sat down on a stone step and buried her nose in Voyages with Vampires again .Harry and Ron stood talking about Quidditch for several minutes before Harry became aware that he was being closely watched .Looking up he saw the very small mousyhaired boy hed seen trying on the Sorting Hat last night staring at Harry as though transfixed .He was clutching what looked like an ordinary Muggle camera and the moment Harry looked at him he went bright red .All right Harry ?Im Im Colin Creevey he said breathlessly taking a tentative step forward .Im in Gryffindor too .Dyou think would it be all right if can I have a picture ?he said raising the camera hopefully .A picture ?Harry repeated blankly .So I can prove Ive met you said Colin Creevey eagerly edging further forward .I know all about you .Everyones told me .About how you survived when YouKnowWho tried to kill you and how he disappeared and everything and how youve still got a lightning scar on your forehead his eyes raked Harrys hairline and a boy in my dormitory said if I develop the film in the right potion the picturesll move .Colin drew a great shuddering breath of excitement and said Its amazing here isnt it ?I never knew all the odd stuff I could do was magic till I got the letter from Hogwarts .My dads a milkman he couldnt believe it either .So Im taking loads of pictures to send home to him .And itd be really good if I had one of you he looked imploringly at Harry maybe your friend could take it and I could stand next to you ?And then could you sign it ?Signed photos ?Youre giving out signed photos Potter ?Loud and scathing Draco Malfoys voice echoed around the courtyard .He had stopped right behind Colin flanked as he always was at Hogwarts by his large and thuggish cronies Crabbe and Goyle .Everyone line up !Malfoy roared to the crowd .Harry Potters giving out signed photos !No Im not said Harry angrily his fists clenching .Shut up Malfoy .Youre just jealous piped up Colin whose entire body was about as thick as Crabbe s neck .Jealous ?said Malfoy who didnt need to shout anymore Half the courtyard was listening in .Of what ?I dont want a foul scar right across my head thanks .I dont think getting your head cut open makes you that special myself .Crabbe and Goyle were sniggering stupidly .Eat slugs Malfoy said Ron angrily .Crabbe stopped laughing and started rubbing his knuckles in a menacing way .Be careful Weasley sneered Malfoy .You dont want to start any trouble or your mommyll have to come and take you away from school .He put on a shrill piercing voice .If you put another toe out of line A knot of Slytherin fifth years nearby laughed loudly at this .Weasley would like a signed photo Potter smirked Malfoy .Itd be worth more than his familys whole house Ron whipped out his Spellotaped wand but Hermione shut Voyages with Vampires with a snap and whispered Look out !Whats all this whats all this ?Gilderoy Lockhart was striding toward them his turquoise robes swirling behind him .Whos giving out signed photos ?Harry started to speak but he was cut short as Lockhart flung an arm around his shoulders and thundered jovially Shouldnt have asked !We meet again Harry !Pinned to Lockharts side and burning with humiliation Harry saw Malfoy slide smirking back into the crowd .Come on then Mr Creevey said Lockhart beaming at Colin .A double portrait cant do better than that and well both sign it for you .Colin fumbled for his camera and took the picture as the bell rang behind them signaling the start of afternoon classes .Off you go move along there Lockhart called to the crowd and he set off back to the castle with Harry who was wishing he knew a good Vanishing Spell still clasped to his side .A word to the wise Harry said Lockhart paternally as they entered the building through a side door .I covered up for you back there with young Creevey if he was photographing me too your schoolmates wont think youre setting yourself up so much .Deaf to Harrys stammers Lockhart swept him down a corridor lined with staring students and up a staircase .Let me just say that handing out signed pictures at this stage of your career isnt sensible looks a tad bigheaded Harry to be frank .There may well come a time when like me youll need to keep a stack handy wherever you go but he gave a little chortle I dont think youre quite there yet .They had reached Lockharts classroom and he let Harry go at last .Harry yanked his robes straight and headed for a seat at the very back of the class where he busied himself with piling all seven of Lockharts books in front of him so that he could avoid looking at the real thing .The rest of the class came clattering in and Ron and Hermione sat down on either side of Harry .You couldve fried an egg on your face said Ron .Youd better hope Creevey doesnt meet Ginny or theyll be starting a Harry Potter fan club .Shut up snapped Harry .The last thing he needed was for Lockhart to hear the phrase Harry Potter fan club .When the whole class was seated Lockhart cleared his throat loudly and silence fell .He reached forward picked up Neville Longbottoms copy of Travels with Trolls and held it up to show his own winking portrait on the front .Me he said pointing at it and winking as well .Gilderoy Lockhart Order of Merlin Third Class Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League and fivetime winner of Witch Weeklys Most Charming Smile Award but I dont talk about that .I didnt get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her !He waited for them to laugh a few people smiled weakly .I see youve all bought a complete set of my books well done .I thought wed start today with a little quiz .Nothing to worry about just to check how well youve read them how much youve taken in When he had handed out the test papers he returned to the front of the class and said You have thirty minutes start now Harry looked down at his paper and read 1 .What is Gilderoy Lockharts favorite color ?2 .What is Gilderoy Lockharts secret ambition ?3 .What in your opinion is Gilderoy Lockharts greatest achievement to date ?On and on it went over three sides of paper right down to 54 .When is Gilderoy Lockharts birthday and what would his ideal gift be ?Half an hour later Lockhart collected the papers and rifled through them in front of the class .Tut tut hardly any of you remembered that my favorite color is lilac .I say so in Year with the Yeti .And a few of you need to read Wanderings with Werewolves more carefully I clearly state in chapter twelve that my ideal birthday gift would be harmony between all magic and nonmagic peoples though I wouldnt say no to a large bottle of Ogdens Old Firewhisky !He gave them another roguish wink .Ron was now staring at Lockhart with an expression of disbelief on his face Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas who were sitting in front were shaking with silent laughter .Hermione on the other hand was listening to Lockhart with rapt attention and gave a start when he mentioned her name . .but Miss Hermione Granger knew my secret ambition is to rid the world of evil and market my own range of haircare potions good girl !In fact he flipped her paper over full marks !Where is Miss Hermione Granger ?Hermione raised a trembling hand .Excellent !beamed Lockhart .Quite excellent !Take ten points for Gryffindor !And so to business He bent down behind his desk and lifted a large covered cage onto it .Now be warned !It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind !You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room .Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here .All I ask is that you remain calm .In spite of himself Harry leaned around his pile of books for a better look at the cage .Lockhart placed a hand on the cover .Dean and Seamus had stopped laughing now .Neville was cowering in his front row seat .I must ask you not to scream said Lockhart in a low voice .It might provoke them .As the whole class held its breath Lockhart whipped off the cover .Yes he said dramatically .Freshly caught Cornish pixies .Seamus Finnigan couldnt control himself .He let out a snort of laughter that even Lockhart couldnt mistake for a scream of terror .Yes ?He smiled at Seamus .Well theyre not theyre not very dangerous are they ?Seamus choked .Dont be so sure !said Lockhart waggling a finger annoyingly at Seamus .Devilish tricky little blighters they can be !The pixies were electric blue and about eight inches high with pointed faces and voices so shrill it was like listening to a lot of budgies arguing .The moment the cover had been removed they had started jabbering and rocketing around rattling the bars and making bizarre faces at the people nearest them .Right then Lockhart said loudly .Lets see what you make of them !And he opened the cage .It was pandemonium .The pixies shot in every direction like rockets .Two of them seized Neville by the ears and lifted him into the air .Several shot straight through the window showering the back row with broken glass .The rest proceeded to wreck the classroom more effectively than a rampaging rhino .They grabbed ink bottles and sprayed the class with them shredded books and papers tore pictures from the walls upended the waste basket grabbed bags and books and threw them out of the smashed window within minutes half the class was sheltering under desks and Neville was swinging from the iron chandelier in the ceiling .Come on now round them up round them up theyre only pixies Lockhart shouted .He rolled up his sleeves brandished his wand and bellowed Peskipiksi Pesternomti It had absolutely no effect one of the pixies seized his wand and threw it out of the window too .Lockhart gulped and dived under his own desk narrowly avoiding being squashed by Neville who fell a second later as the chandelier gave way .The bell rang and there was a mad rush toward the exit .In the relative calm that followed Lockhart straightened up caught sight of Harry Ron and Hermione who were almost at the door and said Well Ill ask you three to just nip the rest of them back into their cage .He swept past them and shut the door quickly behind him .Can you believe him ?roared Ron as one of the remaining pixies bit him painfully on the ear .He just wants to give us some handson experience said Hermione immobilizing two pixies at once with a clever Freezing Charm and stuffing them back into their cage .Hands on ?said Harry who was trying to grab a pixie dancing out of reach with its tongue out .Hermione he didnt have a clue what he was doing Rubbish said Hermione .Youve read his books look at all those amazing things hes done He says hes done Ron muttered .7 MUDBLOODS AND MURMURS Harry spent a lot of time over the next few days dodging out of sight whenever he saw Gilderoy Lockhart coming down a corridor .Harder to avoid was Colin Creevey who seemed to have memorized Harrys schedule .Nothing seemed to give Colin a bigger thrill than to say All right Harry ?six or seven times a day and hear Hello Colin back however exasperated Harry sounded when he said it .Hedwig was still angry with Harry about the disasterous car journey and Rons wand was still malfunctioning surpassing itself on Friday morning by shooting out of Rons hand in Charms and hitting tiny old Professor Flitwick squarely between the eyes creating a large throbbing green boil where it had struck .So with one thing and another Harry was quite glad to reach the weekend .He Ron and Hermione were planning to visit Hagrid on Saturday morning .Harry however was shaken awake several hours earlier than he would have liked by Oliver Wood Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team .Whassamatter ?said Harry groggily .Quidditch practice !said Wood .Come on !Harry squinted at the window .There was a thin mist hanging across the pinkandgold sky .Now that he was awake he couldnt understand how he could have slept through the racket the birds were making .Oliver Harry croaked .Its the crack of dawn .Exactly said Wood .He was a tall and burly sixth year and at the moment his eyes were gleaming with a crazed enthusiasm .Its part of our new training program .Come on grab your broom and lets go said Wood heartily .None of the other teams have started training yet were going to be first off the mark this year Yawning and shivering slightly Harry climbed out of bed and tried to find his Quidditch robes .Good man said Wood .Meet you on the field in fifteen minutes .When hed found his scarlet team robes and pulled on his cloak for warmth Harry scribbled a note to Ron explaining where hed gone and went down the spiral staircase to the common room his Nimbus Two Thousand on his shoulder .He had just reached the portrait hole when there was a clatter behind him and Colin Creevey came dashing down the spiral staircase his camera swinging madly around his neck and something clutched in his hand .I heard someone saying your name on the stairs Harry !Look what Ive got here !Ive had it developed I wanted to show you Harry looked bemusedly at the photograph Colin was brandishing under his nose .A moving blackandwhite Lockhart was tugging hard on an arm Harry recognized as his own .He was pleased to see that his photographic self was putting up a good fight and refusing to be dragged into view .As Harry watched Lockhart gave up and slumped panting against the white edge of the picture .Will you sign it ?said Colin eagerly .No said Harry flatly glancing around to check that the room was really deserted .Sorry Colin Im in a hurry Quidditch practice He climbed through the portrait hole .Oh wow !Wait for me !Ive never watched a Quidditch game before !Colin scrambled through the hole after him .Itll be really boring Harry said quickly but Colin ignored him his face shining with excitement .You were the youngest House player in a hundred years werent you Harry ?Werent you ?said Colin trotting alongside him .You must be brilliant .Ive never flown .Is it easy ?Is that your own broom ?Is that the best one there is ?Harry didnt know how to get rid of him .It was like having an extremely talkative shadow .I dont really understand Quidditch said Colin breathlessly .Is it true there are four balls ?And two of them fly around trying to knock people off their brooms ?Yes said Harry heavily resigned to explaining the complicated rules of Quidditch .Theyre called Bludgers .There are two Beaters on each team who carry clubs to beat the Bludgers away from their side .Fred and George Weasley are the Gryffindor Beaters .And what are the other balls for ?Colin asked tripping down a couple of steps because he was gazing openmouthed at Harry .Well the Quaffle thats the biggish red one is the one that scores goals .Three Chasers on each team throw the Quaffle to each other and try and get it through the goal posts at the end of the pitch theyre three long poles with hoops on the end .And the fourth ball is the Golden Snitch said Harry and its very small very fast and difficult to catch .But thats what the Seekers got to do because a game of Quidditch doesnt end until the Snitch has been caught .And whichever teams Seeker gets the Snitch earns his team an extra hundred and fifty points .And youre the Gryffindor Seeker arent you ?said Colin in awe .Yes said Harry as they left the castle and started across the dewdrenched grass .And theres the Keeper too .He guards the goal posts .Thats it really .But Colin didnt stop questioning Harry all the way down the sloping lawns to the Quidditch field and Harry only shook him off when he reached the changing rooms Colin called after him in a piping voice Ill go and get a good seat Harry !and hurried off to the stands .The rest of the Gryffindor team were already in the changing room .Wood was the only person who looked truly awake .Fred and George Weasley were sitting puffyeyed and touslehaired next to fourth year Alicia Spinnet who seemed to be nodding off against the wall behind her .Her fellow Chasers Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson were yawning side by side opposite them .There you are Harry what kept you ?said Wood briskly .Now I wanted a quick talk with you all before we actually get onto the field because I spent the summer devising a whole new training program which I really think will make all the difference .Wood was holding up a large diagram of a Quidditch field on which were drawn many lines arrows and crosses in differentcolored inks .He took out his wand tapped the board and the arrows began to wiggle over the diagram like caterpillars .As Wood launched into a speech about his new tactics Fred Weasleys head drooped right onto Alicia Spinnets shoulder and he began to snore .The first board took nearly twenty minutes to explain but there was another board under that and a third under that one .Harry sank into a stupor as Wood droned on and on .So said Wood at long last jerking Harry from a wistful fantasy about what he could be eating for breakfast at this very moment up at the castle .Is that clear ?Any questions ?Ive got a question Oliver said George who had woken with a start .Why couldnt you have told us all this yesterday when we were awake ?Wood wasnt pleased .Now listen here you lot he said glowering at them all .We should have won the Quidditch Cup last year .Were easily the best team .But unfortunately owing to circumstances beyond our control Harry shifted guiltily in his seat .He had been unconscious in the hospital wing for the final match of the previous year meaning that Gryffindor had been a player short and had suffered their worst defeat in three hundred years .Wood took a moment to regain control of himself .Their last defeat was clearly still torturing him .So this year we train harder than ever before .Okay lets go and put our new theories into practice !Wood shouted seizing his broomstick and leading the way out of the locker rooms .Stifflegged and still yawning his team followed .They had been in the locker room so long that the sun was up completely now although remnants of mist hung over the grass in the stadium .As Harry walked onto the field he saw Ron and Hermione sitting in the stands .Arent you finished yet ?called Ron incredulously .Havent even started said Harry looking jealously at the toast and marmalade Ron and Hermione had brought out of the Great Hall .Woods been teaching us new moves .He mounted his broomstick and kicked at the ground soaring up into the air .The cool morning air whipped his face waking him far more effectively than Woods long talk .It felt wonderful to be back on the Quidditch field .He soared right around the stadium at full speed racing Fred and George .Whats that funny clicking noise ?called Fred as they hurtled around the corner .Harry looked into the stands .Colin was sitting in one of the highest seats his camera raised taking picture after picture the sound strangely magnified in the deserted stadium .Look this way Harry !This way !he cried shrilly .Whos that ?said Fred .No idea Harry lied putting on a spurt of speed that took him as far away as possible from Colin .Whats going on ?said Wood frowning as he skimmed through the air toward them .Whys that first year taking pictures ?I dont like it .He could be a Slytherin spy trying to find out about our new training program .Hes in Gryffindor said Harry quickly .And the Slytherins dont need a spy Oliver said George .What makes you say that ?said Wood testily .Because theyre here in person said George pointing .Several people in green robes were walking onto the field broomsticks in their hands .I dont believe it !Wood hissed in outrage .I booked the field for today !Well see about this !Wood shot toward the ground landing rather harder than he meant to in his anger staggering slightly as he dismounted .Harry Fred and George followed .Flint !Wood bellowed at the Slytherin Captain .This is our practice time !We got up specially !You can clear off now !Marcus Flint was even larger than Wood .He had a look of trollish cunning on his face as he replied Plenty of room for all of us Wood .Angelina Alicia and Katie had come over too .There were no girls on the Slytherin team who stood shoulder to shoulder facing the Gryffindors leering to a man .But I booked the field !said Wood positively spitting with rage .I booked it !Ah said Flint .But Tve got a specially signed note here from Professor Snape .Professor S .Snape give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditch field owinq to the need to train their new Seeker .Youve got a new Seeker ?said Wood distracted .Where ?And from behind the six large figures before them came a seventh smaller boy smirking all over his pale pointed face .It was Draco Malfoy .Arent you Lucius Malfoys son ?said Fred looking at Malfoy with dislike .Funny you should mention Dracos father said Flint as the whole Slytherin team smiled still more broadly .Let me show you the generous gift hes made to the Slytherin team .All seven of them held out their broomsticks .Seven highly polished brandnew handles and seven sets of fine gold lettering spelling the words Nimbus Two Thousand and One gleamed under the Gryffindors noses in the early morning sun .Very latest model .Only came out last month said Flint carelessly flicking a speck of dust from the end of his own .I believe it outstrips the old Two Thousand series by a considerable amount .As for the old Cleansweeps he smiled nastily at Fred and George who were both clutching Cleansweep Fives sweeps the board with them .None of the Gryffindor team could think of anything to say for a moment .Malfoy was smirking so broadly his cold eyes were reduced to slits .Oh look said Flint .A field invasion .Ron and Hermione were crossing the grass to see what was going on .Whats happening ?Ron asked Harry .Why arent you playing ?And whats he doing here ?He was looking at Malfoy taking in his Slytherin Quidditch robes .Im the new Slytherin Seeker Weasley said Malfoy smugly .Everyones just been admiring the brooms my fathers bought our team .Ron gaped openmouthed at the seven superb broomsticks in front of him .Good arent they ?said Malfoy smoothly .But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms too .You could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives I expect a museum would bid for them .The Slytherin team howled with laughter .At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in said Hermione sharply .They got in on pure talent .The smug look on Malfoys face flickered .No one asked your opinion you filthy little Mudblood he spat .Harry knew at once that Malfoy had said something really bad because there was an instant uproar at his words .Flint had to dive in front of Malfoy to stop Fred and George jumping on him Alicia shrieked How dare you and Ron plunged his hand into his robes pulled out his wand yelling Youll pay for that one Malfoy !and pointed it furiously under Flints arm at Malfoys face .A loud bang echoed around the stadium and a jet of green light shot out of the wrong end of Rons wand hitting him in the stomach and sending him reeling backward onto the grass .Ron !Ron !Are you all right ?squealed Hermione .Ron opened his mouth to speak but no words came out .Instead he gave an almighty belch and several slugs dribbled out of his mouth onto his lap .The Slytherin team were paralyzed with laughter .Flint was doubled up hanging onto his new broomstick for support .Malfoy was on all fours banging the ground with his fist .The Gryffindors were gathered around Ron who kept belching large glistening slugs .Nobody seemed to want to touch him .Wed better get him to Hagrids its nearest said Harry to Hermione who nodded bravely and the pair of them pulled Ron up by the arms .What happened Harry ?What happened ?Is he ill ?But you can cure him cant you ?Colin had run down from his seat and was now dancing alongside them as they left the field .Ron gave a huge heave and more slugs dribbled down his front .Oooh said Colin fascinated and raising his camera .Can you hold him still Harry ?Get out of the way Colin !said Harry angrily .He and Hermione supported Ron out of the stadium and across the grounds toward the edge of the forest .Nearly there Ron said Hermione as the gamekeepers cabin came into view .Youll be all right in a minute almost there They were within twenty feet of Hagrids house when the front door opened but it wasnt Hagrid who emerged .Gilderoy Lockhart wearing robes of palest mauve today came striding out .Quick behind here Harry hissed dragging Ron behind a nearby bush .Hermione followed somewhat reluctantly .Its a simple matter if you know what youre doing !Lockhart was saying loudly to Hagrid .If you need help you know where I am !Ill let you have a copy of my book .Im surprised you havent already got one Ill sign one tonight and send it over .Well goodbye !And he strode away toward the castle .Harry waited until Lockhart was out of sight then pulled Ron out of the bush and up to Hagrids front door .They knocked urgently .Hagrid appeared at once looking very grumpy but his expression brightened when he saw who it was .Bin wonderin when youd come ter see me come in come in thought you mighta bin Professor Lockhart back again Harry and Hermione supported Ron over the threshold into the oneroomed cabin which had an enormous bed in one corner a fire crackling merrily in the other .Hagrid didnt seem perturbed by Rons slug problem which Harry hastily explained as he lowered Ron into a chair .Better out than in he said cheerfully plunking a large copper basin in front of him .Get em all up Ron .I dont think theres anything to do except wait for it to stop said Hermione anxiously watching Ron bend over the basin .Thats a difficult curse to work at the best of times but with a broken wand Hagrid was bustling around making them tea .His boarhound Fang was slobbering over Harry .What did Lockhart want with you Hagrid ?Harry asked scratching Fangs ears .Givin me advice on gettin kelpies out of a well growled Hagrid moving a halfplucked rooster off his scrubbed table and setting down the teapot .Like I don know .An bangin on about some banshee he banished .If one word of it was true Ill eat my kettle .It was most unlike Hagrid to criticize a Hogwarts teacher and Harry looked at him in surprise .Hermione however said in a voice somewhat higher than usual I think youre being a bit unfair .Professor Dumbledore obviously thought he was the best man for the job He was the ony man for the job said Hagrid offering them a plate of treacle toffee while Ron coughed squelchily into his basin .An I mean the ony one .Gettin very difficult ter find anyone fer the Dark Arts job .People arent too keen ter take it on see .Theyre startin ter think its jinxed .No ones lasted long fer a while now .So tell me said Hagrid jerking his head at Ron .Who was he tryin ter curse ?Malfoy called Hermione something it mustve been really bad because everyone went wild .It was bad said Ron hoarsely emerging over the tabletop looking pale and sweaty .Malfoy called her ‘Mudblood Hagrid Ron dived out of sight again as a fresh wave of slugs made their appearance .Hagrid looked outraged .He didn !he growled at Hermione .He did she said .But I dont know what it means .I could tell it was really rude of course Its about the most insulting thing he could think of gasped Ron coming back up .Mudbloods a really foul name for someone who is Muggleborn you know nonmagic parents .There are some wizards like Malfoys family who think theyre better than everyone else because theyre what people call pure blood .He gave a small burp and a single slug fell into his outstretched hand .He threw it into the basin and continued I mean the rest of us know it doesnt make any difference at all .Look at Neville Longbottom hes pureblood and he can hardly stand a cauldron the right way up .An they havent invented a spell our Hermione can do said Hagrid proudly making Hermione go a brilliant shade of magenta .Its a disgusting thing to call someone said Ron wiping his sweaty brow with a shaking hand .Dirty blood see .Common blood .Its ridiculous .Most wizards these days are halfblood anyway .If we hadnt married Muggles wedve died out .He retched and ducked out of sight again .Well I don blame yeh fer tryin ter curse him Ron said Hagrid loudly over the thuds of more slugs hitting the basin .Bu maybe it was a good thing yer wand backfired .Spect Lucius Malfoy wouldve come marchin up ter school if yehd cursed his son .Least yer not in trouble .Harry would have pointed out that trouble didnt come much worse than having slugs pouring out of your mouth but he couldnt Hagrids treacle toffee had cemented his jaws together .Harry said Hagrid abruptly as though struck by a sudden thought .Gotta bone ter pick with yeh .Ive heard youve bin givin out signed photos .How come I havent got one ?Furious Harry wrenched his teeth apart .I have not been giving out signed photos he said hotly .If Lockharts still spreading that around But then he saw that Hagrid was laughing .Im ony jokin he said patting Harry genially on the back and sending him face first into the table .I knew yeh hadnt really .I told Lockhart yeh didn need teh .Yer more famous than him without tryin .Bet he didnt like that said Harry sitting up and rubbing his chin .Don think he did said Hagrid his eyes twinkling .An then I told him Id never read one o his books an he decided ter go .Treacle toffee Ron ?he added as Ron reappeared .No thanks said Ron weakly .Better not risk it .Come an see what Ive bin growin said Hagrid as Harry and Hermione finished the last of their tea .In the small vegetable patch behind Hagrid s house were a dozen of the largest pumpkins Harry had ever seen .Each was the size of a large boulder .Gettin on well arent they ?said Hagrid happily .Fer the Halloween feast .should be big enough by then .Whatve you been feeding them ?said Harry .Hagrid looked over his shoulder to check that they were alone .Well Ive bin givin them you know a bit o help Harry noticed Hagrids flowery pink umbrella leaning against the back wall of the cabin .Harry had had reason to believe before now that this umbrella was not all it looked in fact he had the strong impression that Hagrids old school wand was concealed inside it .Hagrid wasnt supposed to use magic .He had been expelled from Hogwarts in his third year but Harry had never found out why any mention of the matter and Hagrid would clear his throat loudly and become mysteriously deaf until the subject was changed .An Engorgement Charm I suppose ?said Hermione halfway between disapproval and amusement .Well youve done a good job on them .Thats what yer little sister said said Hagrid nodding at Ron .Met her jus yesterday .Hagrid looked sideways at Harry his beard twitching .Said she was jus lookin round the grounds but I reckon she was hopin she might run inter someone else at my house .He winked at Harry .If yeh ask me she wouldn say no ter a signed Oh shut up said Harry .Ron snorted with laughter and the ground was sprayed with slugs .Watch it !Hagrid roared pulling Ron away from his precious pumpkins .It was nearly lunchtime and as Harry had only had one bit of treacle toffee since dawn he was keen to go back to school to eat .They said goodbye to Hagrid and walked back up to the castle Ron hiccoughing occasionally but only bringing up two very small slugs .They had barely set foot in the cool entrance hall when a voice rang out There you are Potter Weasley .Professor McGonagall was walking toward them looking stern .You will both do your detentions this evening .Whatre we doing Professor ?said Ron nervously suppressing a burp .You will be polishing the silver in the trophy room with Mr Filch said Professor McGonagall .And no magic Weasley elbow grease .Ron gulped .Argus Filch the caretaker was loathed by every student in the school .And you Potter will be helping Professor Lockhart answer his fan mail said Professor McGonagall .Oh n Professor cant I go and do the trophy room too ?said Harry desperately .Certainly not said Professor McGonagall raising her eyebrows .Professor Lockhart requested you particularly .Eight oclock sharp both of you .Harry and Ron slouched into the Great Hall in states of deepest gloom Hermione behind them wearing a wellyoudidbreakschoolrules sort of expression .Harry didnt enjoy his shepherds pie as much as hed thought .Both he and Ron felt theyd got the worse deal .Filch ll have me there all night said Ron heavily .No magic !There must be about a hundred cups in that room .Im no good at Muggle cleaning .Id swap anytime said Harry hollowly .Ive had loads of practice with the Dursleys .Answering Lockharts fan mail .hell be a nightmare .Saturday afternoon seemed to melt away and in what seemed like no time it was five minutes to eight and Harry was dragging his feet along the secondfloor corridor to Lockharts office .He gritted his teeth and knocked .The door flew open at once .Lockhart beamed down at him .Ah heres the scalawag !he said .Come in Harry come in Shining brightly on the walls by the light of many candles were countless framed photographs of Lockhart .He had even signed a few of them .Another large pile lay on his desk .You can address the envelopes !Lockhart told Harry as though this was a huge treat .This first ones to Gladys Gudgeon bless her huge fan of mine The minutes snailed by .Harry let Lockharts voice wash over him occasionally saying Mmm and Right and Yeah .Now and then he caught a phrase like Fames a fickle friend Harry or Celebrity is as celebrity does remember that .The candles burned lower and lower making the light dance over the many moving faces of Lockhart watching him .Harry moved his aching hand over what felt like the thousandth envelope writing out Veronica Smethleys address .It must be nearly time to leave Harry thought miserably please let it be nearly time .And then he heard something something quite apart from the spitting of the dying candles and Lockharts prattle about his fans .It was a voice a voice to chill the bone marrow a voice of breathtaking icecold venom .Come .come to me .Let me rip you .Let me tear you .Let me kill you .Harry gave a huge jump and a large lilac blot appeared on Veronica Smethleys street .What ?he said loudly .I know !said Lockhart .Six solid months at the top of the bestseller list !Broke all records !No said Harry frantically .That voice !Sorry ?said Lockhart looking puzzled .What voice ?That that voice that said didnt you hear it ?Lockhart was looking at Harry in high astonishment .What are you talking about Harry ?Perhaps youre getting a little drowsy ?Great Scott look at the time !Weve been here nearly four hours !Id never have believed it the times flown hasnt it ?Harry didnt answer .He was straining his ears to hear the voice again but there was no sound now except for Lockhart telling him he mustnt expect a treat like this every time he got detention .Feeling dazed Harry left .It was so late that the Gryffindor common room was almost empty .Harry went straight up to the dormitory .Ron wasnt back yet .Harry pulled on his pajamas got into bed and waited .Half an hour later Ron arrived nursing his right arm and bringing a strong smell of polish into the darkened room .My muscles have all seized up he groaned sinking on his bed .Fourteen times he made me buff up that Quidditch Cup before he was satisfied .And then I had another slug attack all over a Special Award for Services to the School .Took ages to get the slime off . .How was it with Lockhart ?Keeping his voice low so as not to wake Neville Dean and Seamus Harry told Ron exactly what he had heard .And Lockhart said he couldnt hear it ?said Ron .Harry could see him frowning in the moonlight .Dyou think he was lying ?But I dont get it even someone invisible wouldve had to open the door .I know said Harry lying back in his fourposter and staring at the canopy above him .I dont get it either .d THE DEATHDAY PARTY October arrived spreading a damp chill over the grounds and into the castle .Madam Pomfrey the nurse was kept busy by a sudden spate of colds among the staff and students .Her Pepperup Potion worked instantly though it left the drinker smoking at the ears for several hours afterward .Ginny Weasley who had been looking pale was bullied into taking some by Percy .The steam pouring from under her vivid hair gave the impression that her whole head was on fire .Raindrops the size of bullets thundered on the castle windows for days on end the lake rose the flower beds turned into muddy streams and Hagrids pumpkins swelled to the size of garden sheds .Oliver Woods enthusiasm for regular training sessions however was not dampened which was why Harry was to be found late one stormy Saturday afternoon a few days before Halloween returning to Gryffindor Tower drenched to the skin and splattered with mud .Even aside from the rain and wind it hadnt been a happy practice session .Fred and George who had been spying on the Slytherin team had seen for themselves the speed of those new Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones .They reported that the Slytherin team was no more than seven greenish blurs shooting through the air like missiles .As Harry squelched along the deserted corridor he came across somebody who looked just as preoccupied as he was .Nearly Headless Nick the ghost of Gryffindor Tower was staring morosely out of a window muttering under his breath .dont fulfill their requirements .half an inch if that .Hello Nick said Harry .Hello hello said Nearly Headless Nick starting and looking round .He wore a dashing plumed hat on his long curly hair and a tunic with a ruff which concealed the fact that his neck was almost completely severed .He was pale as smoke and Harry could see right through him to the dark sky and torrential rain outside .You look troubled young Potter said Nick folding a transparent letter as he spoke and tucking it inside his doublet .So do you said Harry .Ah Nearly Headless Nick waved an elegant hand a matter of no importance .Its not as though I really wanted to join .Thought Id apply but apparently I ‘dont fulfill requirements In spite of his airy tone there was a look of great bitterness on his face .But you would think wouldnt you he erupted suddenly pulling the letter back out of his pocket that getting hit fortyfive times in the neck with a blunt axe would qualify you to join the Headless Hunt ?Oh yes said Harry who was obviously supposed to agree .I mean nobody wishes more than I do that it had all been quick and clean and my head had come off properly I mean it would have saved me a great deal of pain and ridicule .However Nearly Headless Nick shook his letter open and read furiously ‘We can only accept huntsmen whose heads have parted company with their bodies .You will appreciate that it would be impossible otherwise for members to participate in hunt activities such as Horseback Head Juggling and Head Polo .It is with the greatest regret therefore that I must inform you that you do not fulfill our requirements .With very best wishes Sir Patrick Delaney Podmore .Fuming Nearly Headless Nick stuffed the letter away .Half an inch of skin and sinew holding my neck on Harry !Most people would think thats good and beheaded but oh no its not enough for Sir Properly DecapitatedPodmore .Nearly Headless Nick took several deep breaths and then said in a far calmer tone So whats bothering you ?Anything I can do ?No said Harry .Not unless you know where we can get seven free Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones for our match against Sly The rest of Harrys sentence was drowned out by a highpitched mewling from somewhere near his ankles .He looked down and found himself gazing into a pair of lamplike yellow eyes .It was Mrs Norris the skeletal gray cat who was used by the caretaker Argus Filch as a sort of deputy in his endless battle against students .Youd better get out of here Harry said Nick quickly .Filch isnt in a good mood hes got the flu and some third years accidentally plastered frog brains all over the ceiling in dungeon five .Hes been cleaning all morning and if he sees you dripping mud all over the place Right said Harry backing away from the accusing stare of Mrs Norris but not quickly enough .Drawn to the spot by the mysterious power that seemed to connect him with his foul cat Argus Filch burst suddenly through a tapestry to Harrys right wheezing and looking wildly about for the rule breaker .There was a thick tartan scarf bound around his head and his nose was unusually purple .Filth !he shouted his jowls aquiver his eyes popping alarmingly as he pointed at the muddy puddle that had dripped from Harrys Quidditch robes .Mess and muck everywhere !Ive had enough of it I tell you !Follow me Potter !So Harry waved a gloomy goodbye to Nearly Headless Nick and followed Filch back downstairs doubling the number of muddy footprints on the floor .Harry had never been inside Filchs office before it was a place most students avoided .The room was dingy and windowless lit by a single oil lamp dangling from the low ceiling .A faint smell of fried fish lingered about the place .Wooden filing cabinets stood around the walls from their labels Harry could see that they contained details of every pupil Filch had ever punished .Fred and George Weasley had an entire drawer to themselves .A highly polished collection of chains and manacles hung on the wall behind Filchs desk .It was common knowledge that he was always begging Dumbledore to let him suspend students by their ankles from the ceiling .Filch grabbed a quill from a pot on his desk and began shuffling around looking for parchment .Dung he muttered furiously great sizzling dragon bogies .frog brains .rat intestines .Ive had enough of it .make an example .wheres the form .yes .He retrieved a large roll of parchment from his desk drawer and stretched it out in front of him dipping his long black quill into the ink pot .Name .Harry Potter .Crime .It was only a bit of mud !said Harry .Its only a bit of mud to you boy but to me its an extra hour scrubbing !shouted Filch a drip shivering unpleasantly at the end of his bulbous nose .Crime .befouling the castle .suggested sentence .Dabbing at his streaming nose Filch squinted unpleasantly at Harry who waited with bated breath for his sentence to fall .But as Filch lowered his quill there was a great BANG !on the ceiling of the office which made the oil lamp rattle .PEEVES !Filch roared flinging down his quill in a transport of rage .Ill have you this time Ill have you !And without a backward glance at Harry Filch ran flatfooted from the office Mrs Norris streaking alongside him .Peeves was the school poltergeist a grinning airborne menace who lived to cause havoc and distress .Harry didnt much like Peeves but couldnt help feeling grateful for his timing .Hopefully whatever Peeves had done and it sounded as though hed wrecked something very big this time would distract Filch from Harry .Thinking that he should probably wait for Filch to come back Harry sank into a motheaten chair next to the desk .There was only one thing on it apart from his halfcompleted form a large glossy purple envelope with silver lettering on the front .With a quick glance at the door to check that Filch wasnt on his way back Harry picked up the envelope and read KWIKSPELL A Correspondence Course in Beginners Magic Intrigued Harry flicked the envelope open and pulled out the sheaf of parchment inside .More curly silver writing on the front page said Feel out of step in the world of modern magic ?Find yourself making excuses not to perform simple spells ?Ever been taunted for your woeful wandwork ?There is an answer !Kwikspell is an allnew failsafe quickresult easy learn course .Hundreds of witches and wizards have benefited from the Kwikspell method !Madam Z .Nettles of Topsham writes I had no memory for incantations and my potions were a family joke !Now after a Kwikspell course I am the center of attention at parties and friends beg for the recipe of my Scintillation Solution !Warlock D .J .Prod of Didsbury says My wife used to sneer at my feeble charms but one month into your fabulous Kwikspell course and I succeeded in turning her into a yak !Thank you Kwikspell !Fascinated Harry thumbed through the rest of the envelopes contents .Why on earth did Filch want a Kwikspell course ?Did this mean he wasnt a proper wizard ?Harry was just reading Lesson One Holding Your Wand Some Useful Tips when shuffling footsteps outside told him Filch was coming back .Stuffing the parchment back into the envelope Harry threw it back onto the desk just as the door opened .Filch was looking triumphant .That vanishing cabinet was extremely valuable !he was saying gleefully to Mrs Norris .Well have Peeves out this time my sweet His eyes fell on Harry and then darted to the Kwikspell envelope which Harry realized too late was lying two feet away from where it had started .Filch s pasty face went brick red .Harry braced himself for a tidal wave of fury .Filch hobbled across to his desk snatched up the envelope and threw it into a drawer .Have you did you read ?he sputtered .No Harry lied quickly .Filch s knobbly hands were twisting together .If I thought youd read my private not that its mine for a friend be that as it may however Harry was staring at him alarmed Filch had never looked madder .His eyes were popping a tic was going in one of his pouchy cheeks and the tartan scarf didnt help .Very well go and dont breathe a word not that however if you didnt read go now I have to write up Peeves report go Amazed at his luck Harry sped out of the office up the corridor and back upstairs .To escape from Filch s office without punishment was probably some kind of school record .Harry !Harry !Did it work ?Nearly Headless Nick came gliding out of a classroom .Behind him Harry could see the wreckage of a large blackandgold cabinet that appeared to have been dropped from a great height .I persuaded Peeves to crash it right over Filchs office said Nick eagerly .Thought it might distract him Was that you ?said Harry gratefully .Yeah it worked I didnt even get detention .Thanks Nick !They set off up the corridor together .Nearly Headless Nick Harry noticed was still holding Sir Patricks rejection letter .I wish there was something I could do for you about the Headless Hunt Harry said .Nearly Headless Nick stopped in his tracks and Harry walked right through him .He wished he hadnt it was like stepping through an icy shower .But there is something you could do for me said Nick excitedly .Harry would I be asking too much but no you wouldnt want What is it ?said Harry .Well this Halloween will be my five hundredth deathday said Nearly Headless Nick drawing himself up and looking dignified .Oh said Harry not sure whether he should look sorry or happy about this .Right .Im holding a party down in one of the roomier dungeons .Friends will be coming from all over the country .It would be such an honor if you would attend .Mr Weasley and Miss Granger would be most welcome too of course but I daresay youd rather go to the school feast ?He watched Harry on tenterhooks .No said Harry quickly Ill come My dear boy !Harry Potter at my deathday party !And he hesitated looking excited do you think you could possibly mention to Sir Patrick how very frightening and impressive you find me ?Of of course said Harry .Nearly Headless Nick beamed at him .A deathday party ?said Hermione keenly when Harry had changed at last and joined her and Ron in the common room .I bet there arent many living people who can say theyve been to one of those itll be fascinating !Why would anyone want to celebrate the day they died ?said Ron who was halfway through his Potions homework and grumpy .Sounds dead depressing to me ..Rain was still lashing the windows which were now inky black but inside all looked bright and cheerful .The firelight glowed over the countless squashy armchairs where people sat reading talking doing homework or in the case of Fred and George Weasley trying to find out what would happen if you fed a Filibuster firework to a salamander .Fred had rescued the brilliant orange firedwelling lizard from a Care of Magical Creatures class and it was now smoldering gently on a table surrounded by a knot of curious people .Harry was at the point of telling Ron and Hermione about Filch and the Kwikspell course when the salamander suddenly whizzed into the air emitting loud sparks and bangs as it whirled wildly round the room .The sight of Percy bellowing himself hoarse at Fred and George the spectacular display of tangerine stars showering from the salamanders mouth and its escape into the fire with accompanying explosions drove both Filch and the Kwikspell envelope from Harrys mind .By the time Halloween arrived Harry was regretting his rash promise to go to the deathday party .The rest of the school was happily anticipating their Halloween feast the Great Hall had been decorated with the usual live bats Hagrids vast pumpkins had been carved into lanterns large enough for three men to sit in and there were rumors that Dumbledore had booked a troupe of dancing skeletons for the entertainment .A promise is a promise Hermione reminded Harry bossily .You said youd go to the deathday party .So at seven oclock Harry Ron and Hermione walked straight past the doorway to the packed Great Hall which was glittering invitingly with gold plates and candles and directed their steps instead toward the dungeons .The passageway leading to Nearly Headless Nicks party had been lined with candles too though the effect was far from cheerful These were long thin jetblack tapers all burning bright blue casting a dim ghostly light even over their own living faces .The temperature dropped with every step they took .As Harry shivered and drew his robes tightly around him he heard what sounded like a thousand fingernails scraping an enormous blackboard .Is that supposed to be music ?Ron whispered .They turned a corner and saw Nearly Headless Nick standing at a doorway hung with black velvet drapes .My dear friends he said mournfully .Welcome welcome .so pleased you could come .He swept off his plumed hat and bowed them inside .It was an incredible sight .The dungeon was full of hundreds of pearlywhite translucent people mostly drifting around a crowded dance floor waltzing to the dreadful quavering sound of thirty musical saws played by an orchestra on a raised blackdraped platform .A chandelier overhead blazed midnightblue with a thousand more black candles .Their breath rose in a mist before them it was like stepping into a freezer .Shall we have a look around ?Harry suggested wanting to warm up his feet .Careful not to walk through anyone said Ron nervously and they set off around the edge of the dance floor .They passed a group of gloomy nuns a ragged man wearing chains and the Fat Friar a cheerful Hufflepuff ghost who was talking to a knight with an arrow sticking out of his forehead .Harry wasnt surprised to see that the Bloody Baron a gaunt staring Slytherin ghost covered in silver bloodstains was being given a wide berth by the other ghosts .Oh no said Hermione stopping abruptly .Turn back turn back I dont want to talk to Moaning Myrtle Who ?said Harry as they backtracked quickly .She haunts one of the toilets in the girls bathroom on the first floor said Hermione .She haunts a toilet ?Yes .Its been outoforder all year because she keeps having tantrums and flooding the place .I never went in there anyway if I could avoid it its awful trying to have a pee with her wailing at you Look food !said Ron .On the other side of the dungeon was a long table also covered in black velvet .They approached it eagerly but next moment had stopped in their tracks horrified .The smell was quite disgusting .Large rotten fish were laid on handsome silver platters cakes burned charcoalblack were heaped on salvers there was a great maggoty haggis a slab of cheese covered in furry green mold and in pride of place an enormous gray cake in the shape of a tombstone with tarlike icing forming the words SIR NICHOLAS DE MIMSYPORPINGTON DIED 3 1 ST OCTOBER 1 492 Harry watched amazed as a portly ghost approached the table crouched low and walked through it his mouth held wide so that it passed through one of the stinking salmon .Can you taste it if you walk through it ?Harry asked him .Almost said the ghost sadly and he drifted away .I expect theyve let it rot to give it a stronger flavor said Hermione knowledgeably pinching her nose and leaning closer to look at the putrid haggis .Can we move ?I feel sick said Ron .They had barely turned around however when a little man swooped suddenly from under the table and came to a halt in midair before them .Hello Peeves said Harry cautiously .Unlike the ghosts around them Peeves the Poltergeist was the very reverse of pale and transparent .He was wearing a bright orange party hat a revolving bow tie and a broad grin on his wide wicked face .Nibbles ?he said sweetly offering them a bowl of peanuts covered in fungus .No thanks said Hermione .Heard you talking about poor Myrtle said Peeves his eyes dancing .Rude you was about poor Myrtle .He took a deep breath and bellowed OY !MYRTLE !Oh no Peeves dont tell her what I said shell be really upset Hermione whispered frantically .I didnt mean it I dont mind her er hello Myrtle .The squat ghost of a girl had glided over .She had the glummest face Harry had ever seen halfhidden behind lank hair and thick pearly spectacles .What ?she said sulkily .How are you Myrtle ?said Hermione in a falsely bright voice .Its nice to see you out of the toilet .Myrtle sniffed .Miss Granger was just talking about you said Peeves slyly in Myrtles ear .Just saying saying how nice you look tonight said Hermione glaring at Peeves .Myrtle eyed Hermione suspiciously .Youre making fun of me she said silver tears welling rapidly in her small seethrough eyes .No honestly didnt I just say how nice Myrtles looking ?said Hermione nudging Harry and Ron painfully in the ribs .Oh yeah She did Dont lie to me Myrtle gasped tears now flooding down her face while Peeves chuckled happily over her shoulder .Dyou think I dont know what people call me behind my back ?Fat Myrtle !Ugly Myrtle !Miserable moaning moping Myrtle !Youve forgotten pimply Peeves hissed in her ear .Moaning Myrtle burst into anguished sobs and fled from the dungeon .Peeves shot after her pelting her with moldy peanuts yelling Pimply Pimplyl Oh dear said Hermione sadly .Nearly Headless Nick now drifted toward them through the crowd .Enjoying yourselves ?Oh yes they lied .Not a bad turnout said Nearly Headless Nick proudly .The Wailing Widow came all the way up from Kent .Its nearly time for my speech Id better go and warn the orchestra .The orchestra however stopped playing at that very moment .They and everyone else in the dungeon fell silent looking around in excitement as a hunting horn sounded .Oh here we go said Nearly Headless Nick bitterly .Through the dungeon wall burst a dozen ghost horses each ridden by a headless horseman .The assembly clapped wildly Harry started to clap too but stopped quickly at the sight of Nicks face .The horses galloped into the middle of the dance floor and halted rearing and plunging .At the front of the pack was a large ghost who held his bearded head under his arm from which position he was blowing the horn .The ghost leapt down lifted his head high in the air so he could see over the crowd everyone laughed and strode over to Nearly Headless Nick squashing his head back onto his neck .Nick !he roared .How are you ?Head still hanging in there ?He gave a hearty guffaw and clapped Nearly Headless Nick on the shoulder .Welcome Patrick said Nick stiffly .Live uns !said Sir Patrick spotting Harry Ron and Hermione and giving a huge fake jump of astonishment so that his head fell off again the crowd howled with laughter .Very amusing said Nearly Headless Nick darkly .Dont mind Nick !shouted Sir Patricks head from the floor .Still upset we wont let him join the Hunt !But I mean to say look at the fellow I think said Harry hurriedly at a meaningful look from Nick Nicks very frightening and er Ha !yelled Sir Patricks head .Bet he asked you to say that !If I could have everyones attention its time for my speech !said Nearly Headless Nick loudly striding toward the podium and climbing into an icy blue spotlight .My late lamented lords ladies and gentlemen it is my great sorrow .But nobody heard much more .Sir Patrick and the rest of the Headless Hunt had just started a game of Head Hockey and the crowd were turning to watch .Nearly Headless Nick tried vainly to recapture his audience but gave up as Sir Patricks head went sailing past him to loud cheers .Harry was very cold by now not to mention hungry .I cant stand much more of this Ron muttered his teeth chattering as the orchestra ground back into action and the ghosts swept back onto the dance floor .Lets go Harry agreed .They backed toward the door nodding and beaming at anyone who looked at them and a minute later were hurrying back up the passageway full of black candles .Pudding might not be finished yet said Ron hopefully leading the way toward the steps to the entrance hall .And then Harry heard it . .rip .tear .kill .It was the same voice the same cold murderous voice he had heard in Lockharts office .He stumbled to a halt clutching at the stone wall listening with all his might looking around squinting up and down the dimly lit passageway .Harry whatre you ?Its that voice again shut up a minute soo hungry .for so long .Listen !said Harry urgently and Ron and Hermione froze watching him . .kill .time to kill .The voice was growing fainter .Harry was sure it was moving away moving upward .A mixture of fear and excitement gripped him as he stared at the dark ceiling how could it be moving upward ?Was it a phantom to whom stone ceilings didnt matter ?This way he shouted and he began to run up the stairs into the entrance hall .It was no good hoping to hear anything here the babble of talk from the Halloween feast was echoing out of the Great Hall .Harry sprinted up the marble staircase to the first floor Ron and Hermione clattering behind him .Harry whatre we SHH !Harry strained his ears .Distantly from the floor above and growing fainter still he heard the voice .I smell blood .I SMELL BLOOD His stomach lurched Its going to kill someone !he shouted and ignoring Rons and Hermiones bewildered faces he ran up the next flight of steps three at a time trying to listen over his own pounding footsteps Harry hurtled around the whole of the second floor Ron and Hermione panting behind him not stopping until they turned a corner into the last deserted passage .Harry what was that all about ?said Ron wiping sweat off his face .I couldnt hear anything .But Hermione gave a sudden gasp pointing down the corridor .Looc !Something was shining on the wall ahead .They approached slowly squinting through the darkness .Foothigh words had been daubed on the wall between two windows shimmering in the light cast by the flaming torches .THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED .ENEMIES OF THE HEIR BEWARE .Whats that thing hanging underneath ?said Ron a slight quiver in his voice .As they edged nearer Harry almost slipped there was a large puddle of water on the floor Ron and Hermione grabbed him and they inched toward the message eyes fixed on a dark shadow beneath it .All three of them realized what it was at once and leapt backward with a splash .Mrs Norris the caretakers cat was hanging by her tail from the torch bracket .She was stiff as a board her eyes wide and staring .For a few seconds they didnt move .Then Ron said Lets get out of here .Shouldnt we try and help Harry began awkwardly .Trust me said Ron .We dont want to be found here .But it was too late .A rumble as though of distant thunder told them that the feast had just ended .From either end of the corridor where they stood came the sound of hundreds of feet climbing the stairs and the loud happy talk of wellfed people next moment students were crashing into the passage from both ends .The chatter the bustle the noise died suddenly as the people in front spotted the hanging cat .Harry Ron and Hermione stood alone in the middle of the corridor as silence fell among the mass of students pressing forward to see the grisly sight .Then someone shouted through the quiet .Enemies of the Heir beware !Youll be next Mudbloods !It was Draco Malfoy .He had pushed to the front of the crowd his cold eyes alive his usually bloodless face flushed as he grinned at the sight of the hanging immobile cat .9 THE WRITING ON THE WALL Whats going on here ?Whats going on ?Attracted no doubt by Malfoys shout Argus Filch came shouldering his way through the crowd .Then he saw Mrs Norris and fell back clutching his face in horror .My cat !My cat !Whats happened to Mrs Norris ?he shrieked .And his popping eyes fell on Harry .You !he screeched .You !Youve murdered my cat !Youve killed her !Ill kill you !Ill Argus .Dumbledore had arrived on the scene followed by a number of other teachers .In seconds he had swept past Harry Ron and Hermione and detached Mrs Norris from the torch bracket .Come with me Argus he said to Filch .You too Mr Potter Mr Weasley Miss Granger .Lockhart stepped forward eagerly .My office is nearest Headmaster just upstairs please feel free Thank you Gilderoy said Dumbledore .The silent crowd parted to let them pass .Lockhart looking excited and important hurried after Dumbledore so did Professors McGonagall and Snape .As they entered Lockharts darkened office there was a flurry of movement across the walls Harry saw several of the Lockharts in the pictures dodging out of sight their hair in rollers .The real Lockhart lit the candles on his desk and stood back .Dumbledore laid Mrs Norris on the polished surface and began to examine her .Harry Ron and Hermione exchanged tense looks and sank into chairs outside the pool of candlelight watching .The tip of Dumbledore s long crooked nose was barely an inch from Mrs Norriss fur .He was looking at her closely through his halfmoon spectacles his long fingers gently prodding and poking .Professor McGonagall was bent almost as close her eyes narrowed .Snape loomed behind them half in shadow wearing a most peculiar expression It was as though he was trying hard not to smile .And Lockhart was hovering around all of them making suggestions .It was definitely a curse that killed her probably the Transmogrifian Torture Ive seen it used many times so unlucky I wasnt there I know the very countercurse that would have saved her .Lockharts comments were punctuated by Filch s dry racking sobs .He was slumped in a chair by the desk unable to look at Mrs Norris his face in his hands .Much as he detested Filch Harry couldnt help feeling a bit sorry for him though not nearly as sorry as he felt for himself .If Dumbledore believed Filch he would be expelled for sure .Dumbledore was now muttering strange words under his breath and tapping Mrs Norris with his wand but nothing happened She continued to look as though she had been recently stuffed . .I remember something very similar happening in Ouagadougou said Lockhart a series of attacks the full storys in my autobiography I was able to provide the townsfolk with various amulets which cleared the matter up at once .The photographs of Lockhart on the walls were all nodding in agreement as he talked .One of them had forgotten to remove his hair net .At last Dumbledore straightened up .Shes not dead Argus he said softly .Lockhart stopped abruptly in the middle of counting the number of murders he had prevented .Not dead ?choked Filch looking through his fingers at Mrs Norris .But whys she all all stiff and frozen ?She has been Petrified said Dumbledore Ah !I thought so !said Lockhart .But how I cannot say .Ask him shrieked Filch turning his blotched and tearstained face to Harry .No second year could have done this said Dumbledore firmly .It would take Dark Magic of the most advanced He did it he did it !Filch spat his pouchy face purpling .You saw what he wrote on the wall !He found in my office he knows Im a Im a Filch s face worked horribly .He knows Im a Squib !he finished .I never touched Mrs Norris !Harry said loudly uncomfortably aware of everyone looking at him including all the Lockharts on the walls .And I dont even know what a Squib is .Rubbish !snarled Filch .He saw my Kwikspell letter !If I might speak Headmaster said Snape from the shadows and Harrys sense of foreboding increased he was sure nothing Snape had to say was going to do him any good .Potter and his friends may have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time he said a slight sneer curling his mouth as though he doubted it .But we do have a set of suspicious circumstances here .Why was he in the upstairs corridor at all ?Why wasnt he at the Halloween feast ?Harry Ron and Hermione all launched into an explanation about the deathday party .there were hundreds of ghosts theyll tell you we were there But why not join the feast afterward ?said Snape his black eyes glittering in the candlelight .Why go up to that corridor ?Ron and Hermione looked at Harry .Because because Harry said his heart thumping very fast something told him it would sound very farfetched if he told them he had been led there by a bodiless voice no one but he could hear because we were tired and wanted to go to bed he said .Without any supper ?said Snape a triumphant smile flickering across his gaunt face .I didnt think ghosts provided food fit for living people at their parties .We werent hungry said Ron loudly as his stomach gave a huge rumble .Snapes nasty smile widened .I suggest Headmaster that Potter is not being entirely truthful he said .It might be a good idea if he were deprived of certain privileges until he is ready to tell us the whole story .I personally feel he should be taken off the Gryffindor Quidditch team until he is ready to be honest .Really Severus said Professor McGonagall sharply I see no reason to stop the boy playing Quidditch .This cat wasnt hit over the head with a broomstick .There is no evidence at all that Potter has done anything wrong .Dumbledore was giving Harry a searching look .His twinkling lightblue gaze made Harry feel as though he were being Xrayed .Innocent until proven guilty Severus he said firmly .Snape looked furious .So did Filch .My cat has been Petrified !he shrieked his eyes popping .I want to see some punishmenti We will be able to cure her Argus said Dumbledore patiently .Professer Sprout recently managed to procure some Mandrakes .As soon as they have reached their full size I will have a potion made that will revive Mrs Norris .Ill make it Lockhart butted in .I must have done it a hundred times .I could whip up a Mandrake Restorative Draught in my sleep Excuse me said Snape icily .But I believe I am the Potions master at this school .There was a very awkward pause .You may go Dumbledore said to Harry Ron and Hermione .They went as quickly as they could without actually running .When they were a floor up from Lockharts office they turned into an empty classroom and closed the door quietly behind them .Harry squinted at his friends darkened faces .Dyou think I should have told them about that voice I heard ?No said Ron without hesitation .Hearing voices no one else can hear isnt a good sign even in the wizarding world .Something in Rons voice made Harry ask You do believe me dont you ?Course I do said Ron quickly .But you must admit its weird .I know its weird said Harry .The whole things weird .What was that writing on the wall about ?The Chamber Has Been Opened .Whats that supposed to mean ?You know it rings a sort of bell said Ron slowly .I think someone told me a story about a secret chamber at Hogwarts once .mightve been Bill .And what on earths a Squib ?said Harry .To his surprise Ron stifled a snigger .Well its not funny really but as its Filch he said .A Squib is someone who was born into a wizarding family but hasnt got any magic powers .Kind of the opposite of Muggleborn wizards but Squibs are quite unusual .If Filch s trying to learn magic from a Kwikspell course I reckon he must be a Squib .It would explain a lot .Like why he hates students so much .Ron gave a satisfied smile .Hes bitter .A clock chimed somewhere .Midnight said Harry .Wed better get to bed before Snape comes along and tries to frame us for something else .For a few days the school could talk of little else but the attack on Mrs Norris .Filch kept it fresh in everyones minds by pacing the spot where she had been attacked as though he thought the attacker might come back .Harry had seen him scrubbing the message on the wall with Mrs Skowers AllPurpose Magical Mess Remover but to no effect the words still gleamed as brightly as ever on the stone .When Filch wasnt guarding the scene of the crime he was skulking redeyed through the corridors lunging out at unsuspecting students and trying to put them in detention for things like breathing loudly and looking happy .Ginny Weasley seemed very disturbed by Mrs Norriss fate .According to Ron she was a great cat lover .But you havent really got to know Mrs Norris Ron told her bracingly .Honestly were much better off without her .Ginny s lip trembled .Stuff like this doesnt often happen at Hogwarts Ron assured her .Theyll catch the maniac who did it and have him out of here in no time .I just hope hes got time to Petrify Filch before hes expelled .Im only joking Ron added hastily as Ginny blanched .The attack had also had an effect on Hermione .It was quite usual for Hermione to spend a lot of time reading but she was now doing almost nothing else .Nor could Harry and Ron get much response from her when they asked what she was up to and not until the following Wednesday did they find out .Harry had been held back in Potions where Snape had made him stay behind to scrape tubeworms off the desks .After a hurried lunch he went upstairs to meet Ron in the library and saw Justin Finch Fletchley the Hufflepuff boy from Herbology coming toward him .Harry had just opened his mouth to say hello when Justin caught sight of him turned abruptly and sped off in the opposite direction .Harry found Ron at the back of the library measuring his History of Magic homework .Professor Binns had asked for a threefootlong composition on The Medieval Assembly of European Wizards .I dont believe it Im still eight inches short .said Ron furiously letting go of his parchment which sprang back into a roll .And Hermiones done four feet seven inches and her writings tiny .Where is she ?asked Harry grabbing the tape measure and unrolling his own homework .Somewhere over there said Ron pointing along the shelves .Looking for another book .I think shes trying to read the whole library before Christmas .Harry told Ron about Justin FinchFletchley running away from him .Dunno why you care .I thought he was a bit of an idiot said Ron scribbling away making his writing as large as possible .All that junk about Lockhart being so great Hermione emerged from between the bookshelves .She looked irritable and at last seemed ready to talk to them .All the copies of Hogwarts A History have been taken out she said sitting down next to Harry and Ron .And theres a twoweek waiting list .I wish I hadnt left my copy at home but I couldnt fit it in my trunk with all the Lockhart books .Why do you want it ?said Harry .The same reason everyone else wants it said Hermione to read up on the legend of the Chamber of Secrets .Whats that ?said Harry quickly .Thats just it .I cant remember said Hermione biting her lip .And I cant find the story anywhere else Hermione let me read your composition said Ron desperately checking his watch .No I wont said Hermione suddenly severe .Youve had ten days to finish it I only need another two inches come on The bell rang .Ron and Hermione led the way to History of Magic bickering .History of Magic was the dullest subject on their schedule .Professor Binns who taught it was their only ghost teacher and the most exciting thing that ever happened in his classes was his entering the room through the blackboard .Ancient and shriveled many people said he hadnt noticed he was dead .He had simply got up to teach one day and left his body behind him in an armchair in front of the staffroom fire his routine had not varied in the slightest since .Today was as boring as ever .Professor Binns opened his notes and began to read in a flat drone like an old vacuum cleaner until nearly everyone in the class was in a deep stupor occasionally coming to long enough to copy down a name or date then falling asleep again .He had been speaking for half an hour when something happened that had never happened before .Hermione put up her hand .Professor Binns glancing up in the middle of a deadly dull lecture on the International Warlock Convention of 1289 looked amazed .Miss er ?Granger Professor .I was wondering if you could tell us anything about the Chamber of Secrets said Hermione in a clear voice .Dean Thomas who had been sitting with his mouth hanging open gazing out of the window jerked out of his trance Lavender Browns head came up off her arms and Neville Longbottoms elbow slipped off his desk .Professor Binns blinked .My subject is History of Magic he said in his dry wheezy voice .I deal with facts Miss Granger not myths and legends .He cleared his throat with a small noise like chalk snapping and continued In September of that year a subcommittee of Sardinian sorcerers He stuttered to a halt .Hermiones hand was waving in the air again .Miss Grant ?Please sir dont legends always have a basis in fact ?Professor Binns was looking at her in such amazement Harry was sure no student had ever interrupted him before alive or dead .Well said Professor Binns slowly yes one could argue that I suppose .He peered at Hermione as though he had never seen a student properly before .However the legend of which you speak is such a very sensational even ludicrous tale But the whole class was now hanging on Professor Binns s every word .He looked dimly at them all every face turned to his .Harry could tell he was completely thrown by such an unusual show of interest .Oh very well he said slowly .Let me see .the Chamber of Secrets .You all know of course that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago the precise date is uncertain by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age .The four school Houses are named after them Godric Gryffindor Helga Hufflepuff Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin .They built this castle together far from prying Muggle eyes for it was an age when magic was feared by common people and witches and wizards suffered much persecution .He paused gazed blearily around the room and continued .For a few years the founders worked in harmony together seeking out youngsters who showed signs of magic and bringing them to the castle to be educated .But then disagreements sprang up between them .A rift began to grow between Slytherin and the others .Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts .He believed that magical learning should be kept within allmagic families .He disliked taking students of Muggle parentage believing them to be untrustworthy .After a while there was a serious argument on the subject between Slytherin and Gryffindor and Slytherin left the school .Professor Binns paused again pursing his lips looking like a wrinkled old tortoise .Reliable historical sources tell us this much he said .But these honest facts have been obscured by the fanciful legend of the Chamber of Secrets .The story goes that Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in the castle of which the other founders knew nothing .Slytherin according to the legend sealed the Chamber of Secrets so that none would be able to open it until his own true heir arrived at the school .The heir alone would be able to unseal the Chamber of Secrets unleash the horror within and use it to purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic .There was silence as he finished telling the story but it wasnt the usual sleepy silence that filled Professor Binns s classes .There was unease in the air as everyone continued to watch him hoping for more .Professor Binns looked faintly annoyed .The whole thing is arrant nonsense of course he said .Naturally the school has been searched for evidence of such a chamber many times by the most learned witches and wizards .It does not exist .A tale told to frighten the gullible .Hermiones hand was back in the air .Sir what exactly do you mean by the ‘horror within the Chamber ?That is believed to be some sort of monster which the Heir of Slytherin alone can control said Professor Binns in his dry reedy voice .The class exchanged nervous looks .I tell you the thing does not exist said Professor Binns shuffling his notes .There is no Chamber and no monster .But sir said Seamus Finnigan if the Chamber can only be opened by Slytherins true heir no one else would be able to find it would they ?Nonsense OFlaherty said Professor Binns in an aggravated tone .If a long succession of Hogwarts headmasters and headmistresses havent found the thing But Professor piped up Parvati Patil youd probably have to use Dark Magic to open it Just because a wizard doesnt use Dark Magic doesnt mean he cant Miss Pennyfeather snapped Professor Binns .I repeat if the likes of Dumbledore But maybe youve got to be related to Slytherin so Dumbledore couldnt began Dean Thomas but Professor Binns had had enough .That will do he said sharply .It is a myth !It does not exist !There is not a shred of evidence that Slytherin ever built so much as a secret broom cupboard !I regret telling you such a foolish story !We will return if you please to history to solid believable verifiable facti And within five minutes the class had sunk back into its usual torpor .I always knew Salazar Slytherin was a twisted old loony Ron told Harry and Hermione as they fought their way through the teeming corridors at the end of the lesson to drop off their bags before dinner .But I never knew he started all this pureblood stuff .I wouldnt be in his House if you paid me .Honestly if the Sorting Hat had tried to put me in Slytherin Idve got the train straight back home .Hermione nodded fervently but Harry didnt say anything .His stomach had just dropped unpleasantly .Harry had never told Ron and Hermione that the Sorting Hat had seriously considered putting him in Slytherin .He could remember as though it were yesterday the small voice that had spoken in his ear when hed placed the hat on his head a year before You could be great you know its all here in your head and Slytherin would help you on the way to greatness no doubt about that .But Harry who had already heard of Slytherin Houses reputation for turning out Dark wizards had thought desperately Not Slytherin !and the hat had said Oh well if youre sure .better be Gryffindor .As they were shunted along in the throng Colin Creevey went past .Hiya Harry !Hullo Colin said Harry automatically .Harry Harry a boy in my class has been saying youre But Colin was so small he couldnt fight against the tide of people bearing him toward the Great Hall they heard him squeak See you Harry !and he was gone .Whats a boy in his class saying about you ?Hermione wondered .That Im Slytherins heir I expect said Harry his stomach dropping another inch or so as he suddenly remembered the way Justin FinchFletchley had run away from him at lunchtime .People herell believe anything said Ron in disgust .The crowd thinned and they were able to climb the next staircase without difficulty .Dyou really think theres a Chamber of Secrets ?Ron asked Hermione .I dont know she said frowning .Dumbledore couldnt cure Mrs Norris and that makes me think that whatever attacked her might not be well human .As she spoke they turned a corner and found themselves at the end of the very corridor where the attack had happened .They stopped and looked .The scene was just as it had been that night except that there was no stiff cat hanging from the torch bracket and an empty chair stood against the wall bearing the message The Chamber of Secrets Has Been Opened .Thats where Filch has been keeping guard Ron muttered .They looked at each other .The corridor was deserted .Cant hurt to have a poke around said Harry dropping his bag and getting to his hands and knees so that he could crawl along searching for clues .Scorch marks !he said .Here and here Come and look at this !said Hermione .This is funny .Harry got up and crossed to the window next to the message on the wall .Hermione was pointing at the topmost pane where around twenty spiders were scuttling apparently fighting to get through a small crack .A long silvery thread was dangling like a rope as though they had all climbed it in their hurry to get outside .Have you ever seen spiders act like that ?said Hermione wonderingly .No said Harry have you Ron ?Ron ?He looked over his shoulder .Ron was standing well back and seemed to be fighting the impulse to run .Whats up ?said Harry .I dont like spiders said Ron tensely .I never knew that said Hermione looking at Ron in surprise .Youve used spiders in Potions loads of times .I dont mind them dead said Ron who was carefully looking anywhere but at the window .I just dont like the way they move .Hermione giggled .Its not funny said Ron fiercely .If you must know when I was three Fred turned my my teddy bear into a great big filthy spider because I broke his toy broomstick .You wouldnt like them either if youd been holding your bear and suddenly it had too many legs and .He broke off shuddering .Hermione was obviously still trying not to laugh .Feeling they had better get off the subject Harry said Remember all that water on the floor ?Where did that come from ?Someones mopped it up .It was about here said Ron recovering himself to walk a few paces past Filchs chair and pointing .Level with this door .He reached for the brass doorknob but suddenly withdrew his hand as though hed been burned .Whats the matter ?said Harry .Cant go in there said Ron gruffly .Thats a girls toilet .Oh Ron there wont be anyone in there said Hermione standing up and coming over .Thats Moaning Myrtles place .Come on lets have a look .And ignoring the large OUT OF ORDER sign she opened the door .It was the gloomiest most depressing bathroom Harry had ever set foot in .Under a large cracked and spotted mirror were a row of chipped sinks .The floor was damp and reflected the dull light given off by the stubs of a few candles burning low in their holders the wooden doors to the stalls were flaking and scratched and one of them was dangling off its hinges .Hermione put her fingers to her lips and set off toward the end stall .When she reached it she said Hello Myrtle how are you ?Harry and Ron went to look .Moaning Myrtle was floating above the tank of the toilet picking a spot on her chin .This is a girls bathroom she said eyeing Ron and Harry suspiciously .Theyre not girls .No Hermione agreed .I just wanted to show them how er nice it is in here .She waved vaguely at the dirty old mirror and the damp floor .Ask her if she saw anything Harry mouthed at Hermione .What are you whispering ?said Myrtle staring at him .Nothing said Harry quickly .We wanted to ask I wish people would stop talking behind my back !said Myrtle in a voice choked with tears .I do have feelings you know even if I am dead Myrtle no one wants to upset you said Hermione .Harry only No one wants to upset me !Thats a good one !howled Myrtle .My life was nothing but misery at this place and now people come along ruining my death !We wanted to ask you if youve seen anything funny lately said Hermione quickly .Because a cat was attacked right outside your front door on Halloween .Did you see anyone near here that night ?said Harry .I wasnt paying attention said Myrtle dramatically .Peeves upset me so much I came in here and tried to kill myself .Then of course I remembered that Im that Im Already dead said Ron helpfully .Myrtle gave a tragic sob rose up in the air turned over and dived headfirst into the toilet splashing water all over them and vanishing from sight although from the direction of her muffled sobs she had come to rest somewhere in the Ubend .Harry and Ron stood with their mouths open but Hermione shrugged wearily and said Honestly that was almost cheerful for Myrtle .Come on lets go .Harry had barely closed the door on Myrtles gurgling sobs when a loud voice made all three of them jump .RON !Percy Weasley had stopped dead at the head of the stairs prefect badge agleam an expression of complete shock on his face .Thats a girls bathroom !he gasped .What were you ?Just having a look around Ron shrugged .Clues you know Percy swelled in a manner that reminded Harry forcefully of Mrs Weasley .Get away from there Percy said striding toward them and starting to bustle them along flapping his arms .Dont you care what this looks like ?Coming back here while everyones at dinner Why shouldnt we be here ?said Ron hotly stopping short and glaring at Percy .Listen we never laid a finger on that cat !Thats what I told Ginny said Percy fiercely but she still seems to think youre going to be expelled Ive never seen her so upset crying her eyes out you might think of her all the first years are thoroughly overexcited by this business You dont care about Ginny said Ron whose ears were now reddening .Youre just worried Im going to mess up your chances of being Head Boy Five points from Gryffindor !Percy said tersely fingering his prefect badge .And I hope it teaches you a lesson !No more detective work or Ill write to Mum !And he strode off the back of his neck as red as Rons ears .Harry Ron and Hermione chose seats as far as possible from Percy in the common room that night .Ron was still in a very bad temper and kept blotting his Charms homework .When he reached absently for his wand to remove the smudges it ignited the parchment .Fuming almost as much as his homework Ron slammed The Standard Book of Spells Grade 2 shut .To Harrys surprise Hermione followed suit .Who can it be though ?she said in a quiet voice as though continuing a conversation they had just been having .Whod want to frighten all the Squibs and Muggleborns out of Hogwarts ?Lets think said Ron in mock puzzlement .Who do we know who thinks Muggleborns are scum ?He looked at Hermione .Hermione looked back unconvinced .If youre talking about Malfoy Of course I am !said Ron .You heard him ‘Youll be next MudbloodsV come on youve only got to look at his foul rat face to know its him Malfoy the Heir of Slytherin ?said Hermione skeptically .Look at his family said Harry closing his books too .The whole lot of them have been in Slytherin hes always boasting about it .They could easily be Slytherins descendants .His fathers definitely evil enough .They couldve had the key to the Chamber of Secrets for centuries !said Ron .Handing it down father to son .Well said Hermione cautiously I suppose its possible .But how do we prove it ?said Harry darkly .There might be a way said Hermione slowly dropping her voice still further with a quick glance across the room at Percy .Of course it would be difficult .And dangerous very dangerous .Wed be breaking about fifty school rules I expect If in a month or so you feel like explaining you will let us know wont you ?said Ron irritably .All right said Hermione coldly .What wed need to do is to get inside the Slytherin common room and ask Malfoy a few questions without him realizing its us .But thats impossible Harry said as Ron laughed .No its not said Hermione .All wed need would be some Polyjuice Potion .Whats that ?said Ron and Harry together .Snape mentioned it in class a few weeks ago Dyou think weve got nothing better to do in Potions than listen to Snape ?muttered Ron .It transforms you into somebody else .Think about it !We could change into three of the Slytherins .No one would know it was us .Malfoy would probably tell us anything .Hes probably boasting about it in the Slytherin common room right now if only we could hear him .This Polyjuice stuff sounds a bit dodgy to me said Ron frowning .What if we were stuck looking like three of the Slytherins forever ?It wears off after a while said Hermione waving her hand impatiently .But getting hold of the recipe will be very difficult .Snape said it was in a book called Moste Potente Potions and its bound to be in the Restricted Section of the library .There was only one way to get out a book from the Restricted Section You needed a signed note of permission from a teacher .Hard to see why wed want the book really said Ron if we werent going to try and make one of the potions .I think said Hermione that if we made it sound as though we were just interested in the theory we might stand a chance .Oh come on no teachers going to fall for that said Ron .Theyd have to be really thick .10 THE ROGUE BLUDGER Since the disastrous episode of the pixies Professor Lockhart had not brought live creatures to class .Instead he read passages from his books to them and sometimes reenacted some of the more dramatic bits .He usually picked Harry to help him with these reconstructions so far Harry had been forced to play a simple Transylvanian villager whom Lockhart had cured of a Babbling Curse a yeti with a head cold and a vampire who had been unable to eat anything except lettuce since Lockhart had dealt with him .Harry was hauled to the front of the class during their very next Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson this time acting a werewolf .If he hadnt had a very good reason for keeping Lockhart in a good mood he would have refused to do it .Nice loud howl Harry exactly and then if youll believe it I pounced like this slammed him to the floor thus with one hand I managed to hold him down with my other I put my wand to his throat I then screwed up my remaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm he let out a piteous moan go on Harry higher than that good the fur vanished the fangs shrank and he turned back into a man .Simple yet effective and another village will remember me forever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terror of werewolf attacks .The bell rang and Lockhart got to his feet .Homework compose a poem about my defeat of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf !Signed copies of Magical Me to the author of the best one !The class began to leave .Harry returned to the back of the room where Ron and Hermione were waiting .Ready ?Harry muttered .Wait till everyones gone said Hermione nervously .All right .She approached Lockharts desk a piece of paper clutched tightly in her hand Harry and Ron right behind her .Er Professor Lockhart ?Hermione stammered .I wanted to to get this book out of the library .Just for background reading .She held out the piece of paper her hand shaking slightly .But the thing is its in the Restricted Section of the library so I need a teacher to sign for it Im sure it would help me understand what you say in Gadding with Ghouls about slowacting venoms Ah Gadding with GhoulsV said Lockhart taking the note from Hermione and smiling widely at her .Possibly my very favorite book .You enjoyed it ?Oh yes said Hermione eagerly .So clever the way you trapped that last one with the teastrainer Well Im sure no one will mind me giving the best student of the year a little extra help said Lockhart warmly and he pulled out an enormous peacock quill .Yes nice isnt it ?he said misreading the revolted look on Rons face .I usually save it for book signings .He scrawled an enormous loopy signature on the note and handed it back to Hermione .So Harry said Lockhart while Hermione folded the note with fumbling fingers and slipped it into her bag .Tomorrows the first Quidditch match of the season I believe ?Gryffindor against Slytherin is it not ?I hear youre a useful player .I was a Seeker too .I was asked to try for the National Squad but preferred to dedicate my life to the eradication of the Dark Forces .Still if ever you feel the need for a little private training dont hesitate to ask .Always happy to pass on my expertise to less able players .Harry made an indistinct noise in his throat and then hurried off after Ron and Hermione .I dont believe it he said as the three of them examined the signature on the note .He didnt even look at the book we wanted .Thats because hes a brainless git said Ron .But who cares weve got what we needed He is not a brainless git said Hermione shrilly as they half ran toward the library .Just because he said you were the best student of the year They dropped their voices as they entered the muffled stillness of the library .Madam Pince the librarian was a thin irritable woman who looked like an underfed vulture .Moste Potente Potions ?she repeated suspiciously trying to take the note from Hermione but Hermione wouldnt let go .I was wondering if I could keep it she said breathlessly .Oh come on said Ron wrenching it from her grasp and thrusting it at Madam Pince .Well get you another autograph .Lockhart ll sign anything if it stands still long enough .Madam Pince held the note up to the light as though determined to detect a forgery but it passed the test .She stalked away between the lofty shelves and returned several minutes later carrying a large and moldylooking book .Hermione put it carefully into her bag and they left trying not to walk too quickly or look too guilty .Five minutes later they were barricaded in Moaning Myrtles outoforder bathroom once again .Hermione had overridden Rons objections by pointing out that it was the last place anyone in their right minds would go so they were guaranteed some privacy .Moaning Myrtle was crying noisily in her stall but they were ignoring her and she them .Hermione opened Moste Potente Potions carefully and the three of them bent over the dampspotted pages .It was clear from a glance why it belonged in the Restricted Section .Some of the potions had effects almost too gruesome to think about and there were some very unpleasant illustrations which included a man who seemed to have been turned inside out and a witch sprouting several extra pairs of arms out of her head .Here it is said Hermione excitedly as she found the page headed The Polyjuice Potion .It was decorated with drawings of people halfway through transforming into other people .Harry sincerely hoped the artist had imagined the looks of intense pain on their faces .This is the most complicated potion Ive ever seen said Hermione as they scanned the recipe .Lacewing flies leeches fluxweed and knotgrass she murmured running her finger down the list of ingredients .Well theyre easy enough theyre in the student storecupboard we can help ourselves .Oooh look powdered horn of a bicorn dont know where were going to get that shredded skin of a boomslang thatll be tricky too and of course a bit of whoever we want to change into .Excuse me ?said Ron sharply .What dyou mean a bit of whoever were changing into ?Im drinking nothing with Crabbes toenails in it Hermione continued as though she hadnt heard him .We dont have to worry about that yet though because we add those bits last .Ron turned speechless to Harry who had another worry .Dyou realize how much were going to have to steal Hermione ?Shredded skin of a boomslang thats definitely not in the students cupboard .Whatre we going to do break into Snapes private stores ?I dont know if this is a good idea .Hermione shut the book with a snap .Well if you two are going to chicken out fine she said .There were bright pink patches on her cheeks and her eyes were brighter than usual .I dont want to break rules you know .think threatening Muggle borns is far worse than brewing up a difficult potion .But if you dont want to find out if its Malfoy Ill go straight to Madam Pince now and hand the book back in I never thought Id see the day when youd be persuading us to break rules said Ron .All right well do it .But not toenails okay ?How long will it take to make anyway ?said Harry as Hermione looking happier opened the book again .Well since the fluxweed has got to be picked at the full moon and the lacewings have got to be stewed for twentyone days .Id say itd be ready in about a month if we can get all the ingredients .A month ?said Ron .Malfoy could have attacked half the Muggleborns in the school by then !But Hermione s eyes narrowed dangerously again and he added swiftly But its the best plan weve got so full steam ahead I say .However while Hermione was checking that the coast was clear for them to leave the bathroom Ron muttered to Harry Itll be a lot less hassle if you can just knock Malfoy off his broom tomorrow .Harry woke early on Saturday morning and lay for a while thinking about the coming Quidditch match .He was nervous mainly at the thought of what Wood would say if Gryffindor lost but also at the idea of facing a team mounted on the fastest racing brooms gold could buy .He had never wanted to beat Slytherin so badly .After half an hour of lying there with his insides churning he got up dressed and went down to breakfast early where he found the rest of the Gryffindor team huddled at the long empty table all looking uptight and not speaking much .As eleven oclock approached the whole school started to make its way down to the Quidditch stadium .It was a muggy sort of day with a hint of thunder in the air .Ron and Hermione came hurrying over to wish Harry good luck as he entered the locker rooms .The team pulled on their scarlet Gryffindor robes then sat down to listen to Woods usual pre match pep talk .Slytherin has better brooms than us he began .No point denying it .But weve got better people on our brooms .Weve trained harder than they have weve been flying in all weathers Too true muttered George Weasley .I havent been properly dry since August and were going to make them rue the day they let that little bit of slime Malfoy buy his way onto their team .Chest heaving with emotion Wood turned to Harry .Itll be down to you Harry to show them that a Seeker has to have something more than a rich father .Get to that Snitch before Malfoy or die trying Harry because weve got to win today weve got to .So no pressure Harry said Fred winking at him .As they walked out onto the field a roar of noise greeted them mainly cheers because Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were anxious to see Slytherin beaten but the Slytherins in the crowd made their boos and hisses heard too .Madam Hooch the Quidditch teacher asked Flint and Wood to shake hands which they did giving each other threatening stares and gripping rather harder than was necessary .On my whistle said Madam Hooch .Three .two .one .With a roar from the crowd to speed them upward the fourteen players rose toward the leaden sky .Harry flew higher than any of them squinting around for the Snitch .All right there Scarhead ?yelled Malfoy shooting underneath him as though to show off the speed of his broom .Harry had no time to reply .At that very moment a heavy black Bludger came pelting toward him he avoided it so narrowly that he felt it ruffle his hair as it passed .Close one Harry !said George streaking past him with his club in his hand ready to knock the Bludger back toward a Slytherin .Harry saw George give the Bludger a powerful whack in the direction of Adrian Pucey but the Bludger changed direction in midair and shot straight for Harry again .Harry dropped quickly to avoid it and George managed to hit it hard toward Malfoy .Once again the Bludger swerved like a boomerang and shot at Harrys head .Harry put on a burst of speed and zoomed toward the other end of the field .He could hear the Bludger whistling along behind him .What was going on ?Bludgers never concentrated on one player like this it was their job to try and unseat as many people as possible .Fred Weasley was waiting for the Bludger at the other end .Harry ducked as Fred swung at the Bludger with all his might the Bludger was knocked off course .Gotcha !Fred yelled happily but he was wrong as though it was magnetically attracted to Harry the Bludger pelted after him once more and Harry was forced to fly off at full speed .It had started to rain Harry felt heavy drops fall onto his face splattering onto his glasses .He didnt have a clue what was going on in the rest of the game until he heard Lee Jordan who was commentating say Slytherin lead sixty points to zero The Slytherins superior brooms were clearly doing their jobs and meanwhile the mad Bludger was doing all it could to knock Harry out of the air .Fred and George were now flying so close to him on either side that Harry could see nothing at all except their flailing arms and had no chance to look for the Snitch let alone catch it .Someones tampered with this Bludger Fred grunted swinging his bat with all his might at it as it launched a new attack on Harry .We need time out said George trying to signal to Wood and stop the Bludger breaking Harrys nose at the same time .Wood had obviously got the message .Madam Hoochs whistle rang out and Harry Fred and George dived for the ground still trying to avoid the mad Bludger .Whats going on ?said Wood as the Gryffindor team huddled together while Slytherins in the crowd jeered .Were being flattened .Fred George where were you when that Bludger stopped Angelina scoring ?We were twenty feet above her stopping the other Bludger from murdering Harry Oliver said George angrily .Someones fixed it it wont leave Harry alone .It hasnt gone for anyone else all game .The Slytherins must have done something to it .But the Bludgers have been locked in Madam Hoochs office since our last practice and there was nothing wrong with them then .said Wood anxiously .Madam Hooch was walking toward them .Over her shoulder Harry could see the Slytherin team jeering and pointing in his direction .Listen said Harry as she came nearer and nearer with you two flying around me all the time the only way Im going to catch the Snitch is if it flies up my sleeve .Go back to the rest of the team and let me deal with the rogue one .Dont be thick said Fred .Itll take your head off .Wood was looking from Harry to the Weasleys .Oliver this is insane said Alicia Spinnet angrily .You cant let Harry deal with that thing on his own .Lets ask for an inquiry If we stop now well have to forfeit the match !said Harry .And were not losing to Slytherin just because of a crazy Bludger !Come on Oliver tell them to leave me alone !This is all your fault George said angrily to Wood . ‘Get the Snitch or die trying what a stupid thing to tell him Madam Hooch had joined them .Ready to resume play ?she asked Wood .Wood looked at the determined look on Harrys face .All right he said .Fred George you heard Harry leave him alone and let him deal with the Bludger on his own .The rain was falling more heavily now .On Madam Hoochs whistle Harry kicked hard into the air and heard the telltale whoosh of the Bludger behind him .Higher and higher Harry climbed he looped and swooped spiraled zigzagged and rolled .Slightly dizzy he nevertheless kept his eyes wide open rain was speckling his glasses and ran up his nostrils as he hung upside down avoiding another fierce dive from the Bludger .He could hear laughter from the crowd he knew he must look very stupid but the rogue Bludger was heavy and couldnt change direction as quickly as Harry could he began a kind of rollercoaster ride around the edges of the stadium squinting through the silver sheets of rain to the Gryffindor goal posts where Adrian Pucey was trying to get past Wood A whistling in Harrys ear told him the Bludger had just missed him again he turned right over and sped in the opposite direction .Training for the ballet Potter ?yelled Malfoy as Harry was forced to do a stupid kind of twirl in midair to dodge the Bludger and he fled the Bludger trailing a few feet behind him and then glaring back at Malfoy in hatred he saw it the Golden Snitch .It was hovering inches above Malfoys left ear and Malfoy busy laughing at Harry hadnt seen it .For an agonizing moment Harry hung in midair not daring to speed toward Malfoy in case he looked up and saw the Snitch .WHAM .He had stayed still a second too long .The Bludger had hit him at last smashed into his elbow and Harry felt his arm break .Dimly dazed by the searing pain in his arm he slid sideways on his rain drenched broom one knee still crooked over it his right arm dangling useless at his side the Bludger came pelting back for a second attack this time aiming at his face Harry swerved out of the way one idea firmly lodged in his numb brain get to Malfoy .Through a haze of rain and pain he dived for the shimmering sneering face below him and saw its eyes widen with fear Malfoy thought Harry was attacking him .What the he gasped careening out of Harrys way .Harry took his remaining hand off his broom and made a wild snatch he felt his fingers close on the cold Snitch but was now only gripping the broom with his legs and there was a yell from the crowd below as he headed straight for the ground trying hard not to pass out .With a splattering thud he hit the mud and rolled off his broom .His arm was hanging at a very strange angle riddled with pain he heard as though from a distance a good deal of whistling and shouting .He focused on the Snitch clutched in his good hand .Aha he said vaguely .Weve won .And he fainted .He came around rain falling on his face still lying on the field with someone leaning over him .He saw a glitter of teeth .Oh no not you he moaned .Doesnt know what hes saying said Lockhart loudly to the anxious crowd of Gryffindors pressing around them .Not to worry Harry .Im about to fix your arm .iVo !said Harry .Ill keep it like this thanks .He tried to sit up but the pain was terrible .He heard a familiar clicking noise nearby .I dont want a photo of this Colin he said loudly .Lie back Harry said Lockhart soothingly .Its a simple charm Ive used countless times Why cant I just go to the hospital wing ?said Harry through clenched teeth .He should really Professor said a muddy Wood who couldnt help grinning even though his Seeker was injured .Great capture Harry really spectacular your best yet Id say Through the thicket of legs around him Harry spotted Fred and George Weasley wrestling the rogue Bludger into a box .It was still putting up a terrific fight .Stand back said Lockhart who was rolling up his jadegreen sleeves .No dont said Harry weakly but Lockhart was twirling his wand and a second later had directed it straight at Harrys arm .A strange and unpleasant sensation started at Harrys shoulder and spread all the way down to his fingertips .It felt as though his arm was being deflated .He didnt dare look at what was happening .He had shut his eyes his face turned away from his arm but his worst fears were realized as the people above him gasped and Colin Creevey began clicking away madly .His arm didnt hurt anymore nor did it feel remotely like an arm .Ah said Lockhart .Yes .Well that can sometimes happen .But the point is the bones are no longer broken .Thats the thing to bear in mind .So Harry just toddle up to the hospital wing ah Mr Weasley Miss Granger would you escort him ?and Madam Pomfrey will be able to er tidy you up a bit .As Harry got to his feet he felt strangely lopsided .Taking a deep breath he looked down at his right side .What he saw nearly made him pass out again .Poking out of the end of his robes was what looked like a thick fleshcolored rubber glove .He tried to move his fingers .Nothing happened .Lockhart hadnt mended Harrys bones .He had removed them .Madam Pomfrey wasnt at all pleased .You should have come straight to me !she raged holding up the sad limp remainder of what half an hour before had been a working arm .I can mend bones in a second but growing them back You will be able to wont you ?said Harry desperately .Ill be able to certainly but it will be painful said Madam Pomfrey grimly throwing Harry a pair of pajamas .Youll have to stay the night .Hermione waited outside the curtain drawn around Harrys bed while Ron helped him into his pajamas .It took a while to stuff the rubbery boneless arm into a sleeve .How can you stick up for Lockhart now Hermione eh ?Ron called through the curtain as he pulled Harrys limp fingers through the cuff .If Harry had wanted deboning he would have asked .Anyone can make a mistake said Hermione .And it doesnt hurt anymore does it Harry ?No said Harry getting into bed .But it doesnt do anything else either .As he swung himself onto the bed his arm flapped pointlessly .Hermione and Madam Pomfrey came around the curtain .Madam Pomfrey was holding a large bottle of something labeled SkeleGro .Youre in for a rough night she said pouring out a steaming beakerful and handing it to him .Regrowing bones is a nasty business .So was taking the SkeleGro .It burned Harrys mouth and throat as it went down making him cough and splutter .Still tuttutting about dangerous sports and inept teachers Madam Pomfrey retreated leaving Ron and Hermione to help Harry gulp down some water .We won though said Ron a grin breaking across his face .That was some catch you made .Malfoys face .he looked ready to kill .I want to know how he fixed that Bludger said Hermione darkly .We can add that to the list of questions well ask him when weve taken the Polyjuice Potion said Harry sinking back onto his pillows .I hope it tastes better than this stuff .If its got bits of Slytherins in it ?Youve got to be joking said Ron .The door of the hospital wing burst open at that moment .Filthy and soaking wet the rest of the Gryffindor team had arrived to see Harry .Unbelievable flying Harry said George .Ive just seen Marcus Flint yelling at Malfoy .Something about having the Snitch on top of his head and not noticing .Malfoy didnt seem too happy .They had brought cakes sweets and bottles of pumpkin juice they gathered around Harrys bed and were just getting started on what promised to be a good party when Madam Pomfrey came storming over shouting This boy needs rest hes got thirty three bones to regrow !Out !OUT !And Harry was left alone with nothing to distract him from the stabbing pains in his limp arm .Hours and hours later Harry woke quite suddenly in the pitch blackness and gave a small yelp of pain His arm now felt full of large splinters .For a second he thought that was what had woken him .Then with a thrill of horror he realized that someone was sponging his forehead in the dark .Get off !he said loudly and then Dobby The houseelfs goggling tennis ball eyes were peering at Harry through the darkness .A single tear was running down his long pointed nose .Harry Potter came back to school he whispered miserably .Dobby warned and warned Harry Potter .Ah sir why didnt you heed Dobby ?Why didnt Harry Potter go back home when he missed the train ?Harry heaved himself up on his pillows and pushed Dobbys sponge away .Whatre you doing here ?he said .And how did you know I missed the train ?Dobbys lip trembled and Harry was seized by a sudden suspicion .It was you !he said slowly .You stopped the barrier from letting us through !Indeed yes sir said Dobby nodding his head vigorously ears flapping .Dobby hid and watched for Harry Potter and sealed the gateway and Dobby had to iron his hands afterward he showed Harry ten long bandaged fingers but Dobby didnt care sir for he thought Harry Potter was safe and never did Dobby dream that Harry Potter would get to school another way !He was rocking backward and forward shaking his ugly head .Dobby was so shocked when he heard Harry Potter was back at Hogwarts he let his masters dinner burn !Such a flogging Dobby never had sir .Harry slumped back onto his pillows .You nearly got Ron and me expelled he said fiercely .Youd better get lost before my bones come back Dobby or I might strangle you .Dobby smiled weakly .Dobby is used to death threats sir .Dobby gets them five times a day at home .He blew his nose on a corner of the filthy pillowcase he wore looking so pathetic that Harry felt his anger ebb away in spite of himself .Why dyou wear that thing Dobby ?he asked curiously .This sir ?said Dobby plucking at the pillowcase .Tis a mark of the houseelfs enslavement sir .Dobby can only be freed if his masters present him with clothes sir .The family is careful not to pass Dobby even a sock sir for then he would be free to leave their house forever .Dobby mopped his bulging eyes and said suddenly Harry Potter must go home !Dobby thought his Bludger would be enough to make Your Bludger ?said Harry anger rising once more .What dyou mean your Bludger ?You made that Bludger try and kill me ?Not kill you sir never kill you !said Dobby shocked .Dobby wants to save Harry Potters life !Better sent home grievously injured than remain here sir !Dobby only wanted Harry Potter hurt enough to be sent home !Oh is that all ?said Harry angrily .I dont suppose youre going to tell me why you wanted me sent home in pieces ?Ah if Harry Potter only knew !Dobby groaned more tears dripping onto his ragged pillowcase .If he knew what he means to us to the lowly the enslaved we dregs of the magical world !Dobby remembers how it was when HeWhoMustNotBeNamed was at the height of his powers sir !We houseelves were treated like vermin sir !Of course Dobby is still treated like that sir he admitted drying his face on the pillowcase .But mostly sir life has improved for my kind since you triumphed over HeWhoMustNotBe Named .Harry Potter survived and the Dark Lords power was broken and it was a new dawn sir and Harry Potter shone like a beacon of hope for those of us who thought the Dark days would never end sir . .And now at Hogwarts terrible things are to happen are perhaps happening already and Dobby cannot let Harry Potter stay here now that history is to repeat itself now that the Chamber of Secrets is open once more Dobby froze horrors truck then grabbed Harrys water jug from his bedside table and cracked it over his own head toppling out of sight .A second later he crawled back onto the bed crosseyed muttering Bad Dobby very bad Dobby .So there is a Chamber of Secrets ?Harry whispered .And did you say its been opened before ?Tell me Dobby !He seized the elfs bony wrist as Dobbys hand inched toward the water jug .But Im not Muggleborn how can I be in danger from the Chamber ?Ah sir ask no more ask no more of poor Dobby stammered the elf his eyes huge in the dark .Dark deeds are planned in this place but Harry Potter must not be here when they happen go home Harry Potter go home .Harry Potter must not meddle in this sir tis too dangerous Who is it Dobby ?Harry said keeping a firm hold on Dobbys wrist to stop him from hitting himself with the water jug again .Whos opened it ?Who opened it last time ?Dobby cant sir Dobby cant Dobby mustnt tell !squealed the elf .Go home Harry Potter go home !Im not going anywhere !said Harry fiercely .One of my best friends is Muggleborn shell be first in line if the Chamber really has been opened Harry Potter risks his own life for his friends !moaned Dobby in a kind of miserable ecstasy .So noble !So valiant !But he must save himself he must Harry Potter must not Dobby suddenly froze his bat ears quivering .Harry heard it too .There were footsteps coming down the passageway outside .Dobby must go !breathed the elf terrified .There was a loud crack and Harrys fist was suddenly clenched on thin air .He slumped back into bed his eyes on the dark doorway to the hospital wing as the footsteps drew nearer .Next moment Dumbledore was backing into the dormitory wearing a long woolly dressing gown and a nightcap .He was carrying one end of what looked like a statue .Professor McGonagall appeared a second later carrying its feet .Together they heaved it onto a bed .Get Madam Pomfrey whispered Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall hurried past the end of Harrys bed out of sight .Harry lay quite still pretending to be asleep .He heard urgent voices and then Professor McGonagall swept back into view closely followed by Madam Pomfrey who was pulling a cardigan on over her nightdress .He heard a sharp intake of breath .What happened ?Madam Pomfrey whispered to Dumbledore bending over the statue on the bed .Another attack said Dumbledore .Minerva found him on the stairs .There was a bunch of grapes next to him said Professor McGonagall .We think he was trying to sneak up here to visit Potter .Harrys stomach gave a horrible lurch .Slowly and carefully he raised himself a few inches so he could look at the statue on the bed .A ray of moonlight lay across its staring face .It was Colin Creevey .His eyes were wide and his hands were stuck up in front of him holding his camera .Petrified ?whispered Madam Pomfrey .Yes said Professor McGonagall .But I shudder to think .If Albus hadnt been on the way downstairs for hot chocolate who knows what might have The three of them stared down at Colin .Then Dumbledore leaned forward and wrenched the camera out of Colins rigid grip .You dont think he managed to get a picture of his attacker ?said Professor McGonagall eagerly .Dumbledore didnt answer .He opened the back of the camera .Good gracious !said Madam Pomfrey .A jet of steam had hissed out of the camera .Harry three beds away caught the acrid smell of burnt plastic .Melted said Madam Pomfrey wonderingly .All melted .What does this mean Albus ?Professor McGonagall asked urgently .It means said Dumbledore that the Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again .Madam Pomfrey clapped a hand to her mouth .Professor McGonagall stared at Dumbledore .But Albus .surely .who ?The question is not who said Dumbledore his eyes on Colin .The question is how .And from what Harry could see of Professor McGonagalls shadowy face she didnt understand this any better than he did .THE DUELING CLUB Harry woke up on Sunday morning to find the dormitory blazing with winter sunlight and his arm reboned but very stiff .He sat up quickly and looked over at Colins bed but it had been blocked from view by the high curtains Harry had changed behind yesterday .Seeing that he was awake Madam Pomfrey came bustling over with a breakfast tray and then began bending and stretching his arm and fingers .All in order she said as he clumsily fed himself porridge lefthanded .When youve finished eating you may leave .Harry dressed as quickly as he could and hurried off to Gryffindor Tower desperate to tell Ron and Hermione about Colin and Dobby but they werent there .Harry left to look for them wondering where they could have got to and feeling slightly hurt that they werent interested in whether he had his bones back or not .As Harry passed the library Percy Weasley strolled out of it looking in far better spirits than last time theyd met .Oh hello Harry he said .Excellent flying yesterday really excellent .Gryffindor has just taken the lead for the House Cup you earned fifty points !You havent seen Ron or Hermione have you ?said Harry .No I havent said Percy his smile fading .I hope Rons not in another girls toilet .Harry forced a laugh watched Percy walk out of sight and then headed straight for Moaning Myrtles bathroom .He couldnt see why Ron and Hermione would be in there again but after making sure that neither Filch nor any prefects were around he opened the door and heard their voices coming from a locked stall .Its me he said closing the door behind him .There was a clunk a splash and a gasp from within the stall and he saw Hermione s eye peering through the keyhole .Harry she said .You gave us such a fright come in hows your arm ?Fine said Harry squeezing into the stall .An old cauldron was perched on the toilet and a crackling from under the rim told Harry they had lit a fire beneath it .Conjuring up portable waterproof fires was a speciality of Hermione s .We dve come to meet you but we decided to get started on the Polyjuice Potion Ron explained as Harry with difficulty locked the stall again .Weve decided this is the safest place to hide it .Harry started to tell them about Colin but Hermione interrupted .We already know we heard Professor McGonagall telling Professor Flitwick this morning .Thats why we decided wed better get going The sooner we get a confession out of Malfoy the better snarled Ron .Dyou know what I think ?He was in such a foul temper after the Quidditch match he took it out on Colin .Theres something else said Harry watching Hermione tearing bundles of knotgrass and throwing them into the potion .Dobby came to visit me in the middle of the night .Ron and Hermione looked up amazed .Harry told them everything Dobby had told him or hadnt told him .Hermione and Ron listened with their mouths open .The Chamber of Secrets has been opened before ?Hermione said .This settles it said Ron in a triumphant voice .Lucius Malfoy mustve opened the Chamber when he was at school here and now hes told dear old Draco how to do it .Its obvious .Wish Dobby d told you what kind of monsters in there though .I want to know how come nobodys noticed it sneaking around the school .Maybe it can make itself invisible said Hermione prodding leeches to the bottom of the cauldron .Or maybe it can disguise itself pretend to be a suit of armor or something Ive read about Chameleon Ghouls You read too much Hermione said Ron pouring dead lacewings on top of the leeches .He crumpled up the empty lacewing bag and looked at Harry .So Dobby stopped us from getting on the train and broke your arm .He shook his head .You know what Harry ?If he doesnt stop trying to save your life hes going to kill you .k k k The news that Colin Creevey had been attacked and was now lying as though dead in the hospital wing had spread through the entire school by Monday morning .The air was suddenly thick with rumor and suspicion .The first years were now moving around the castle in tightknit groups as though scared they would be attacked if they ventured forth alone .Ginny Weasley who sat next to Colin Creevey in Charms was distraught but Harry felt that Fred and George were going the wrong way about cheering her up .They were taking turns covering themselves with fur or boils and jumping out at her from behind statues .They only stopped when Percy apoplectic with rage told them he was going to write to Mrs Weasley and tell her Ginny was having nightmares .Meanwhile hidden from the teachers a roaring trade in talismans amulets and other protective devices was sweeping the school .Neville Longbottom bought a large evilsmelling green onion a pointed purple crystal and a rotting newt tail before the other Gryffindor boys pointed out that he was in no danger he was a pureblood and therefore unlikely to be attacked .They went for Filch first Neville said his round face fearful .And everyone knows Im almost a Squib .In the second week of December Professor McGonagall came around as usual collecting names of those who would be staying at school for Christmas .Harry Ron and Hermione signed her list they had heard that Malfoy was staying which struck them as very suspicious .The holidays would be the perfect time to use the Polyjuice Potion and try to worm a confession out of him .Unfortunately the potion was only half finished .They still needed the bicorn horn and the boomslang skin and the only place they were going to get them was from Snapes private stores .Harry privately felt hed rather face Slytherins legendary monster than let Snape catch him robbing his office .What we need said Hermione briskly as Thursday afternoons double Potions lesson loomed nearer is a diversion .Then one of us can sneak into Snapes office and take what we need .Harry and Ron looked at her nervously .I think Id better do the actual stealing Hermione continued in a matteroffact tone .You two will be expelled if you get into any more trouble and Ive got a clean record .So all you need to do is cause enough mayhem to keep Snape busy for five minutes or so .Harry smiled feebly .Deliberately causing mayhem in Snapes Potions class was about as safe as poking a sleeping dragon in the eye .Potions lessons took place in one of the large dungeons .Thursday afternoons lesson proceeded in the usual way .Twenty cauldrons stood steaming between the wooden desks on which stood brass scales and jars of ingredients .Snape prowled through the fumes making waspish remarks about the Gryffindors work while the Slytherins sniggered appreciatively .Draco Malfoy who was Snapes favorite student kept flicking pufferfish eyes at Ron and Harry who knew that if they retaliated they would get detention faster than you could say Unfair .Harrys Swelling Solution was far too runny but he had his mind on more important things .He was waiting for Hermiones signal and he hardly listened as Snape paused to sneer at his watery potion .When Snape turned and walked off to bully Neville Hermione caught Harrys eye and nodded .Harry ducked swiftly down behind his cauldron pulled one of Freds Filibuster fireworks out of his pocket and gave it a quick prod with his wand .The firework began to fizz and sputter .Knowing he had only seconds Harry straightened up took aim and lobbed it into the air it landed right on target in Goyles cauldron .Goyles potion exploded showering the whole class .People shrieked as splashes of the Swelling Solution hit them .Malfoy got a faceful and his nose began to swell like a balloon Goyle blundered around his hands over his eyes which had expanded to the size of a dinner plate Snape was trying to restore calm and find out what had happened .Through the confusion Harry saw Hermione slip quietly into Snapes office .Silence !SILENCE !Snape roared .Anyone who has been splashed come here for a Deflating Draught when I find out who did this Harry tried not to laugh as he watched Malfoy hurry forward his head drooping with the weight of a nose like a small melon .As half the class lumbered up to Snape s desk some weighted down with arms like clubs others unable to talk through gigantic puffed up lips Harry saw Hermione slide back into the dungeon the front of her robes bulging .When everyone had taken a swig of antidote and the various swellings had subsided Snape swept over to Goyles cauldron and scooped out the twisted black remains of the firework .There was a sudden hush .If I ever find out who threw this Snape whispered I shall make sure that person is expelled .Harry arranged his face into what he hoped was a puzzled expression .Snape was looking right at him and the bell that rang ten minutes later could not have been more welcome .He knew it was me Harry told Ron and Hermione as they hurried back to Moaning Myrtles bathroom .I could tell .Hermione threw the new ingredients into the cauldron and began to stir feverishly .Itll be ready in two weeks she said happily .Snape cant prove it was you said Ron reassuringly to Harry .What can he do ?Knowing Snape something foul said Harry as the potion frothed and bubbled .A week later Harry Ron and Hermione were walking across the entrance hall when they saw a small knot of people gathered around the notice board reading a piece of parchment that had just been pinned up .Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas beckoned them over looking excited .Theyre starting a Dueling Club !said Seamus .First meeting tonight !I wouldnt mind dueling lessons they might come in handy one of these days .What you reckon Slytherins monster can duel ?said Ron but he too read the sign with interest .Could be useful he said to Harry and Hermione as they went into dinner .Shall we go ?Harry and Hermione were all for it so at eight oclock that evening they hurried back to the Great Hall .The long dining tables had vanished and a golden stage had appeared along one wall lit by thousands of candles floating overhead .The ceiling was velvety black once more and most of the school seemed to be packed beneath it all carrying their wands and looking excited .I wonder wholl be teaching us ?said Hermione as they edged into the chattering crowd .Someone told me Flitwick was a dueling champion when he was young maybe itll be him .As long as its not Harry began but he ended on a groan Gilderoy Lockhart was walking onto the stage resplendent in robes of deep plum and accompanied by none other than Snape wearing his usual black .Lockhart waved an arm for silence and called Gather round gather round !Can everyone see me ?Can you all hear me ?Excellent !Now Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little dueling club to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions for full details see my published works .Let me introduce my assistant Professor Snape said Lockhart flashing a wide smile .He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin .Now I dont want any of you youngsters to worry youll still have your Potions master when Im through with him never fear !Wouldnt it be good if they finished each other off ?Ron muttered in Harrys ear .Snape s upper lip was curling .Harry wondered why Lockhart was still smiling if Snape had been looking at him like that hed have been running as fast as he could in the opposite direction .Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed at least Lockhart did with much twirling of his hands whereas Snape jerked his head irritably .Then they raised their wands like swords in front of them .As you see we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position Lockhart told the silent crowd .On the count of three we will cast our first spells .Neither of us will be aiming to kill of course .I wouldnt bet on that Harry murmured watching Snape baring his teeth .One two three Both of them swung their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent Snape cried ExpelliarmusV There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet He flew backward off the stage smashed into the wall and slid down it to sprawl on the floor .Malfoy and some of the other Slytherins cheered .Hermione was dancing on tiptoes .Do you think hes all right ?she squealed through her fingers .Who cares ?said Harry and Ron together .Lockhart was getting unsteadily to his feet .His hat had fallen off and his wavy hair was standing on end .Well there you have it !he said tottering back onto the platform .That was a Disarming Charm as you see Ive lost my wand ah thank you Miss Brown yes an excellent idea to show them that Professor Snape but if you dont mind my saying so it was very obvious what you were about to do .If I had wanted to stop you it would have been only too easy however I felt it would be instructive to let them see .Snape was looking murderous .Possibly Lockhart had noticed because he said Enough demonstrating !Im going to come amongst you now and put you all into pairs .Professor Snape if youd like to help me They moved through the crowd matching up partners .Lockhart teamed Neville with Justin Finch Fletchley but Snape reached Harry and Ron first .Time to split up the dream team I think he sneered .Weasley you can partner Finnigan .Potter Harry moved automatically toward Hermione .I dont think so said Snape smiling coldly .Mr Malfoy come over here .Lets see what you make of the famous Potter .And you Miss Granger you can partner Miss Bulstrode .Malfoy strutted over smirking .Behind him walked a Slytherin girl who reminded Harry of a picture hed seen in Holidays with Hags .She was large and square and her heavy jaw jutted aggressively .Hermione gave her a weak smile that she did not return .Face your partners !called Lockhart back on the platform .And bow !Harry and Malfoy barely inclined their heads not taking their eyes off each other .Wands at the ready !shouted Lockhart .When I count to three cast your charms to disarm your opponents only to disarm them we dont want any accidents one .two .three Harry swung his wand high but Malfoy had already started on two His spell hit Harry so hard he felt as though hed been hit over the head with a saucepan .He stumbled but everything still seemed to be working and wasting no more time Harry pointed his wand straight at Malfoy and shouted Rictusempral A jet of silver light hit Malfoy in the stomach and he doubled up wheezing .I said disarm only Lockhart shouted in alarm over the heads of the battling crowd as Malfoy sank to his knees Harry had hit him with a Tickling Charm and he could barely move for laughing .Harry hung back with a vague feeling it would be unsporting to bewitch Malfoy while he was on the floor but this was a mistake gasping for breath Malfoy pointed his wand at Harrys knees choked Tarantallegral and the next second Harrys legs began to jerk around out of his control in a kind of quickstep .Stop !Stop !screamed Lockhart but Snape took charge .Finite Incantatem he shouted Harrys feet stopped dancing Malfoy stopped laughing and they were able to look up .A haze of greenish smoke was hovering over the scene .Both Neville and Justin were lying on the floor panting Ron was holding up an ashenfaced Seamus apologizing for whatever his broken wand had done but Hermione and Millicent Bulstrode were still moving Millicent had Hermione in a headlock and Hermione was whimpering in pain both their wands lay forgotten on the floor .Harry leapt forward and pulled Millicent off .It was difficult She was a lot bigger than he was .Dear dear said Lockhart skittering through the crowd looking at the aftermath of the duels .Up you go Macmillan .Careful there Miss Fawcett .Pinch it hard itll stop bleeding in a second Boot I think Id better teach you how to block unfriendly spells said Lockhart standing flustered in the midst of the hall .He glanced at Snape whose black eyes glinted and looked quickly away .Lets have a volunteer pair Longbottom and FinchFletchley how about you A bad idea Professor Lockhart said Snape gliding over like a large and malevolent bat .Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest spells .Well be sending whats left of FinchFletchley up to the hospital wing in a matchbox .Nevilles round pink face went pinker .How about Malfoy and Potter ?said Snape with a twisted smile .Excellent idea !said Lockhart gesturing Harry and Malfoy into the middle of the hall as the crowd backed away to give them room .Now Harry said Lockhart .When Draco points his wand at you you do this .He raised his own wand attempted a complicated sort of wiggling action and dropped it .Snape smirked as Lockhart quickly picked it up saying Whoops my wand is a little overexcited Snape moved closer to Malfoy bent down and whispered something in his ear .Malfoy smirked too .Harry looked up nervously at Lockhart and said Professor could you show me that blocking thing again ?Scared ?muttered Malfoy so that Lockhart couldnt hear him .You wish said Harry out of the corner of his mouth .Lockhart cuffed Harry merrily on the shoulder .Just do what I did Harry !What drop my wand ?But Lockhart wasnt listening .Three two one go !he shouted .Malfoy raised his wand quickly and bellowed Serpensortial The end of his wand exploded .Harry watched aghast as a long black snake shot out of it fell heavily onto the floor between them and raised itself ready to strike .There were screams as the crowd backed swiftly away clearing the floor .Dont move Potter said Snape lazily clearly enjoying the sight of Harry standing motionless eye to eye with the angry snake .Ill get rid of it .Allow me !shouted Lockhart .He brandished his wand at the snake and there was a loud bang the snake instead of vanishing flew ten feet into the air and fell back to the floor with a loud smack .Enraged hissing furiously it slithered straight toward Justin FinchFletchley and raised itself again fangs exposed poised to strike .Harry wasnt sure what made him do it .He wasnt even aware of deciding to do it .All he knew was that his legs were carrying him forward as though he was on casters and that he had shouted stupidly at the snake Leave him alone !And miraculously inexplicably the snake slumped to the floor docile as a thick black garden hose its eyes now on Harry .Harry felt the fear drain out of him .He knew the snake wouldnt attack anyone now though how he knew it he couldnt have explained .He looked up at Justin grinning expecting to see Justin looking relieved or puzzled or even grateful but certainly not angry and scared .What do you think youre playing at ?he shouted and before Harry could say anything Justin had turned and stormed out of the hall .Snape stepped forward waved his wand and the snake vanished in a small puff of black smoke .Snape too was looking at Harry in an unexpected way It was a shrewd and calculating look and Harry didnt like it .He was also dimly aware of an ominous muttering all around the walls .Then he felt a tugging on the back of his robes .Come on said Rons voice in his ear .Move come on Ron steered him out of the hall Hermione hurrying alongside them .As they went through the doors the people on either side drew away as though they were frightened of catching something .Harry didnt have a clue what was going on and neither Ron nor Hermione explained anything until they had dragged him all the way up to the empty Gryffindor common room .Then Ron pushed Harry into an armchair and said Youre a Parselmouth .Why didnt you tell us ?Im a what ?said Harry .A Parselmouth .said Ron .You can talk to snakes !I know said Harry .I mean thats only the second time Ive ever done it .I accidentally set a boa constrictor on my cousin Dudley at the zoo once long story but it was telling me it had never seen Brazil and I sort of set it free without meaning to that was before I knew I was a wizard A boa constrictor told you it had never seen Brazil ?Ron repeated faintly .So ?said Harry .I bet loads of people here can do it .Oh no they cant said Ron .Its not a very common gift .Harry this is bad .Whats bad ?said Harry starting to feel quite angry .Whats wrong with everyone ?Listen if I hadnt told that snake not to attack Justin Oh thats what you said to it ?What dyou mean ?You were there you heard me I heard you speaking Parseltongue said Ron .Snake language .You could have been saying anything no wonder Justin panicked you sounded like you were egging the snake on or something it was creepy you know Harry gaped at him .I spoke a different language ?But I didnt realize how can I speak a language without knowing I can speak it ?Ron shook his head .Both he and Hermione were looking as though someone had died .Harry couldnt see what was so terrible .Dyou want to tell me whats wrong with stopping a massive snake biting off Justins head ?he said .What does it matter how I did it as long as Justin doesnt have to join the Headless Hunt ?It matters said Hermione speaking at last in a hushed voice because being able to talk to snakes was what Salazar Slytherin was famous for .Thats why the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent .Harrys mouth fell open .Exactly said Ron .And now the whole schools going to think youre his greatgreatgreatgreat grandson or something But Im not said Harry with a panic he couldnt quite explain .Youll find that hard to prove said Hermione .He lived about a thousand years ago for all we know you could be . •k k k Harry lay awake for hours that night .Through a gap in the curtains around his fourposter he watched snow starting to drift past the tower window and wondered .Could he be a descendant of Salazar Slytherin ?He didnt know anything about his fathers family after all .The Dursleys had always forbidden questions about his wizarding relatives .Quietly Harry tried to say something in Parseltongue .The words wouldnt come .It seemed he had to be facetoface with a snake to do it .But Im in Gryffindor Harry thought .The Sorting Hat wouldnt have put me in here if I had Slytherin blood .Ah said a nasty little voice in his brain but the Sorting Hat wanted to put you in Slytherin dont you remember ?Harry turned over .Hed see Justin the next day in Herbology and hed explain that hed been calling the snake off not egging it on which he thought angrily pummeling his pillow any fool should have realized .By next morning however the snow that had begun in the night had turned into a blizzard so thick that the last Herbology lesson of the term was canceled Professor Sprout wanted to fit socks and scarves on the Mandrakes a tricky operation she would entrust to no one else now that it was so important for the Mandrakes to grow quickly and revive Mrs Norris and Colin Creevey .Harry fretted about this next to the fire in the Gryffindor common room while Ron and Hermione used their time off to play a game of wizard chess .For heavens sake Harry said Hermione exasperated as one of Rons bishops wrestled her knight off his horse and dragged him off the board .Go and find Justin if its so important to you .So Harry got up and left through the portrait hole wondering where Justin might be .The castle was darker than it usually was in daytime because of the thick swirling gray snow at every window .Shivering Harry walked past classrooms where lessons were taking place catching snatches of what was happening within .Professor McGonagall was shouting at someone who by the sound of it had turned his friend into a badger .Resisting the urge to take a look Harry walked on by thinking that Justin might be using his free time to catch up on some work and deciding to check the library first .A group of the Hufflepuffs who should have been in Herbology were indeed sitting at the back of the library but they didnt seem to be working .Between the long lines of high bookshelves Harry could see that their heads were close together and they were having what looked like an absorbing conversation .He couldnt see whether Justin was among them .He was walking toward them when something of what they were saying met his ears and he paused to listen hidden in the Invisibility section .So anyway a stout boy was saying I told Justin to hide up in our dormitory .I mean to say if Potters marked him down as his next victim its best if he keeps a low profile for a while .Of course Justins been waiting for something like this to happen ever since he let slip to Potter he was Muggleborn .Justin actually told him hed been down for Eton .Thats not the kind of thing you bandy about with Slytherins heir on the loose is it ?You definitely think it is Potter then Ernie ?said a girl with blonde pigtails anxiously .Hannah said the stout boy solemnly hes a Parselmouth .Everyone knows thats the mark of a Dark wizard .Have you ever heard of a decent one who could talk to snakes ?They called Slytherin himself Serpenttongue .There was some heavy murmuring at this and Ernie went on Remember what was written on the wall ?Enemies of the Heir Beware .Potter had some sort of runin with Filch .Next thing we know Filch s cats attacked .That first year Creevey was annoying Potter at the Quidditch match taking pictures of him while he was lying in the mud .Next thing we know Creevey s been attacked .He always seems so nice though said Hannah uncertainly and well hes the one who made You KnowWho disappear .He cant be all bad can he ?Ernie lowered his voice mysteriously the Hufflepuffs bent closer and Harry edged nearer so that he could catch Ernies words .No one knows how he survived that attack by You KnowWho .I mean to say he was only a baby when it happened .He should have been blasted into smithereens .Only a really powerful Dark wizard could have survived a curse like that .He dropped his voice until it was barely more than a whisper and said Thats probably why YouKnowWho wanted to kill him in the first place .Didnt want another Dark Lord competing with him .I wonder what other powers Potters been hiding ?Harry couldnt take anymore .Clearing his throat loudly he stepped out from behind the bookshelves .If he hadnt been feeling so angry he would have found the sight that greeted him funny Every one of the Hufflepuffs looked as though they had been Petrified by the sight of him and the color was draining out of Ernies face .Hello said Harry .Im looking for Justin Finch Fletchley .The Hufflepuffs worst fears had clearly been confirmed .They all looked fearfully at Ernie .What do you want with him ?said Ernie in a quavering voice .I wanted to tell him what really happened with that snake at the Dueling Club said Harry .Ernie bit his white lips and then taking a deep breath said We were all there .We saw what happened .Then you noticed that after I spoke to it the snake backed off ?said Harry .All I saw said Ernie stubbornly though he was trembling as he spoke was you speaking Parseltongue and chasing the snake toward Justin .I didnt chase it at him !Harry said his voice shaking with anger .It didnt even touch him !It was a very near miss said Ernie .And in case youre getting ideas he added hastily I might tell you that you can trace my family back through nine generations of witches and warlocks and my bloods as pure as anyones so I dont care what sort of blood youve got !said Harry fiercely .Why would I want to attack Muggleborns ?Ive heard you hate those Muggles you live with said Ernie swiftly .Its not possible to live with the Dursleys and not hate them said Harry .Id like to see you try it .He turned on his heel and stormed out of the library earning himself a reproving glare from Madam Pince who was polishing the gilded cover of a large spellbook .Harry blundered up the corridor barely noticing where he was going he was in such a fury .The result was that he walked into something very large and solid which knocked him backward onto the floor .Oh hello Hagrid Harry said looking up .Hagrids face was entirely hidden by a woolly snow covered balaclava but it couldnt possibly be anyone else as he filled most of the corridor in his moleskin overcoat .A dead rooster was hanging from one of his massive gloved hands .All righ Harry ?he said pulling up the balaclava so he could speak .Why arent yeh in class ?Canceled said Harry getting up .Whatre you doing in here ?Hagrid held up the limp rooster .Second one killed this term he explained .Its either foxes or a BloodSuckin Bugbear an I need the headmasters permission ter put a charm around the hen coop .He peered more closely at Harry from under his thick snowflecked eyebrows .Yeh sure yehre all righ ?Yeh look all hot an bothered Harry couldnt bring himself to repeat what Ernie and the rest of the Hufflepuffs had been saying about him .Its nothing he said .Id better get going Hagrid its Transfiguration next and Ive got to pick up my books .He walked off his mind still full of what Ernie had said about him .Justins been waiting for something like this to happen ever since he let slip to Potter he was Muggle born .Harry stamped up the stairs and turned along another corridor which was particularly dark the torches had been extinguished by a strong icy draft that was blowing through a loose windowpane .He was halfway down the passage when he tripped headlong over something lying on the floor .He turned to squint at what hed fallen over and felt as though his stomach had dissolved .Justin FinchFletchley was lying on the floor rigid and cold a look of shock frozen on his face his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling .And that wasnt all .Next to him was another figure the strangest sight Harry had ever seen .It was Nearly Headless Nick no longer pearlywhite and transparent but black and smoky floating immobile and horizontal six inches off the floor .His head was half off and his face wore an expression of shock identical to Justins .Harry got to his feet his breathing fast and shallow his heart doing a kind of drumroll against his ribs .He looked wildly up and down the deserted corridor and saw a line of spiders scuttling as fast as they could away from the bodies .The only sounds were the muffled voices of teachers from the classes on either side .He could run and no one would ever know he had been there .But he couldnt just leave them lying here .He had to get help .Would anyone believe he hadnt had anything to do with this ?As he stood there panicking a door right next to him opened with a bang .Peeves the Poltergeist came shooting out .Why its potty wee Potter !cackled Peeves knocking Harrys glasses askew as he bounced past him .Whats Potter up to ?Whys Potter lurking Peeves stopped halfway through a midair somersault .Upside down he spotted Justin and Nearly Headless Nick .He flipped the right way up filled his lungs and before Harry could stop him screamed ATTACK !ATTACK !ANOTHER ATTACK !NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE !RUN FOR YOUR LIVES !ATTaaCK !Crash crash crash door after door flew open along the corridor and people flooded out .For several long minutes there was a scene of such confusion that Justin was in danger of being squashed and people kept standing in Nearly Headless Nick .Harry found himself pinned against the wall as the teachers shouted for quiet .Professor McGonagall came running followed by her own class one of whom still had blackandwhite striped hair .She used her wand to set off a loud bang which restored silence and ordered everyone back into their classes .No sooner had the scene cleared somewhat than Ernie the Hufflepuff arrived panting on the scene .Caught in the act !Ernie yelled his face stark white pointing his finger dramatically at Harry .That will do Macmillan !said Professor McGonagall sharply .Peeves was bobbing overhead now grinning wickedly surveying the scene Peeves always loved chaos .As the teachers bent over Justin and Nearly Headless Nick examining them Peeves broke into song Oh Potter you rotter oh what have you done Youre killing off students you think its good fun Thats enough Peeves !barked Professor McGonagall and Peeves zoomed away backward with his tongue out at Harry .Justin was carried up to the hospital wing by Professor Flitwick and Professor Sinistra of the Astronomy department but nobody seemed to know what to do for Nearly Headless Nick .In the end Professor McGonagall conjured a large fan out of thin air which she gave to Ernie with instructions to waft Nearly Headless Nick up the stairs .This Ernie did fanning Nick along like a silent black hovercraft .This left Harry and Professor McGonagall alone together .This way Potter she said .Professor said Harry at once I swear I didnt This is out of my hands Potter said Professor McGonagall curtly .They marched in silence around a corner and she stopped before a large and extremely ugly stone gargoyle .Lemon drop !she said .This was evidently a password because the gargoyle sprang suddenly to life and hopped aside as the wall behind him split in two .Even full of dread for what was coming Harry couldnt fail to be amazed .Behind the wall was a spiral staircase that was moving smoothly upward like an escalator .As he and Professor McGonagall stepped onto it Harry heard the wall thud closed behind them .They rose upward in circles higher and higher until at last slightly dizzy Harry saw a gleaming oak door ahead with a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin .He knew now where he was being taken .This must be where Dumbledore lived .THE POLY JUICE POTION They stepped off the stone staircase at the top and Professor McGonagall rapped on the door .It opened silently and they entered .Professor McGonagall told Harry to wait and left him there alone .Harry looked around .One thing was certain of all the teachers offices Harry had visited so far this year Dumbledores was by far the most interesting .If he hadnt been scared out of his wits that he was about to be thrown out of school he would have been very pleased to have a chance to look around it .It was a large and beautiful circular room full of funny little noises .A number of curious silver instruments stood on spindlelegged tables whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke .The walls were covered with portraits of old headmasters and headmistresses all of whom were snoozing gently in their frames .There was also an enormous claw footed desk and sitting on a shelf behind it a shabby tattered wizards hat the Sorting Hat Harry hesitated .He cast a wary eye around the sleeping witches and wizards on the walls .Surely it couldnt hurt if he took the hat down and tried it on again ?Just to see .just to make sure it had put him in the right House He walked quietly around the desk lifted the hat from its shelf and lowered it slowly onto his head .It was much too large and slipped down over his eyes just as it had done the last time hed put it on .Harry stared at the black inside of the hat waiting .Then a small voice said in his ear Bee in your bonnet Harry Potter ?Er yes Harry muttered .Er sorry to bother you I wanted to ask Youve been wondering whether I put you in the right House said the hat smartly .Yes .you were particularly difficult to place .But I stand by what I said before Harrys heart leapt you would have done well in Slytherin Harrys stomach plummeted .He grabbed the point of the hat and pulled it off .It hung limply in his hand grubby and faded .Harry pushed it back onto its shelf feeling sick .Youre wrong he said aloud to the still and silent hat .It didnt move .Harry backed away watching it .Then a strange gagging noise behind him made him wheel around .He wasnt alone after all .Standing on a golden perch behind the door was a decrepitlooking bird that resembled a halfplucked turkey .Harry stared at it and the bird looked balefully back making its gagging noise again .Harry thought it looked very ill .Its eyes were dull and even as Harry watched a couple more feathers fell out of its tail .Harry was just thinking that all he needed was for Dumbledore s pet bird to die while he was alone in the office with it when the bird burst into flames .Harry yelled in shock and backed away into the desk .He looked feverishly around in case there was a glass of water somewhere but couldnt see one the bird meanwhile had become a fireball it gave one loud shriek and next second there was nothing but a smoldering pile of ash on the floor .The office door opened .Dumbledore came in looking very somber .Professor Harry gasped .Your bird I couldnt do anything he just caught fire To Harrys astonishment Dumbledore smiled .About time too he said .Hes been looking dreadful for days Ive been telling him to get a move on .He chuckled at the stunned look on Harrys face .Fawkes is a phoenix Harry .Phoenixes burst into flame when it is time for them to die and are reborn from the ashes .Watch him .Harry looked down in time to see a tiny wrinkled newborn bird poke its head out of the ashes .It was quite as ugly as the old one .Its a shame you had to see him on a Burning Day said Dumbledore seating himself behind his desk .Hes really very handsome most of the time wonderful red and gold plumage .Fascinating creatures phoenixes .They can carry immensely heavy loads their tears have healing powers and they make highly faithful pets .In the shock of Fawkes catching fire Harry had forgotten what he was there for but it all came back to him as Dumbledore settled himself in the high chair behind the desk and fixed Harry with his penetrating lightblue stare .Before Dumbledore could speak another word however the door of the office flew open with an almighty bang and Hagrid burst in a wild look in his eyes his balaclava perched on top of his shaggy black head and the dead rooster still swinging from his hand .It wasn Harry Professor Dumbledore !said Hagrid urgently .I was talkin ter him seconds before that kid was found he never had time sir Dumbledore tried to say something but Hagrid went ranting on waving the rooster around in his agitation sending feathers everywhere .it cantve bin him Ill swear it in front o the Ministry o Magic if I have to Hagrid I yehve got the wrong boy sir I know Harry never Hagridl said Dumbledore loudly .I do not think that Harry attacked those people .Oh said Hagrid the rooster falling limply at his side .Right .Ill wait outside then Headmaster .And he stomped out looking embarrassed .You dont think it was me Professor ?Harry repeated hopefully as Dumbledore brushed rooster feathers off his desk .No Harry I dont said Dumbledore though his face was somber again .But I still want to talk to you .Harry waited nervously while Dumbledore considered him the tips of his long fingers together .I must ask you Harry whether there is anything youd like to tell me he said gently .Anything at all .Harry didnt know what to say .He thought of Malfoy shouting Youll be next Mudbloods !and of the Polyjuice Potion simmering away in Moaning Myrtles bathroom .Then he thought of the disembodied voice he had heard twice and remembered what Ron had said Hearing voices no one else can hear isnt a good sign even in the wizarding world .He thought too about what everyone was saying about him and his growing dread that he was somehow connected with Salazar Slytherin .No said Harry .There isnt anything Professor .The double attack on Justin and Nearly Headless Nick turned what had hitherto been nervousness into real panic .Curiously it was Nearly Headless Nicks fate that seemed to worry people most .What could possibly do that to a ghost ?people asked each other what terrible power could harm someone who was already dead ?There was almost a stampede to book seats on the Hogwarts Express so that students could go home for Christmas .At this rate well be the only ones left Ron told Harry and Hermione .Us Malfoy Crabbe and Goyle .What a jolly holiday its going to be .Crabbe and Goyle who always did whatever Malfoy did had signed up to stay over the holidays too .But Harry was glad that most people were leaving .He was tired of people skirting around him in the corridors as though he were about to sprout fangs or spit poison tired of all the muttering pointing and hissing as he passed .Fred and George however found all this very funny .They went out of their way to march ahead of Harry down the corridors shouting Make way for the Heir of Slytherin seriously evil wizard coming through .Percy was deeply disapproving of this behavior .It is not a laughing matter he said coldly .Oh get out of the way Percy said Fred .Harrys in a hurry .Yeah hes off to the Chamber of Secrets for a cup of tea with his fanged servant said George chortling .Ginny didnt find it amusing either .Oh dont she wailed every time Fred asked Harry loudly who he was planning to attack next or when George pretended to ward Harry off with a large clove of garlic when they met .Harry didnt mind it made him feel better that Fred and George at least thought the idea of his being Slytherin s heir was quite ludicrous .But their antics seemed to be aggravating Draco Malfoy who looked increasingly sour each time he saw them at it .Its because hes bursting to say its really him said Ron knowingly .You know how he hates anyone beating him at anything and youre getting all the credit for his dirty work .Not for long said Hermione in a satisfied tone .The Polyjuice Potions nearly ready .Well be getting the truth out of him any day now .At last the term ended and a silence deep as the snow on the grounds descended on the castle .Harry found it peaceful rather than gloomy and enjoyed the fact that he Hermione and the Weasleys had the run of Gryffindor Tower which meant they could play Exploding Snap loudly without bothering anyone and practice dueling in private .Fred George and Ginny had chosen to stay at school rather than visit Bill in Egypt with Mr and Mrs Weasley .Percy who disapproved of what he termed their childish behavior didnt spend much time in the Gryffindor common room .He had already told them pompously that he was only staying over Christmas because it was his duty as a prefect to support the teachers during this troubled time .Christmas morning dawned cold and white .Harry and Ron the only ones left in their dormitory were woken very early by Hermione who burst in fully dressed and carrying presents for them both .Wake up she said loudly pulling back the curtains at the window .Hermione youre not supposed to be in here said Ron shielding his eyes against the light .Merry Christmas to you too said Hermione throwing him his present .Ive been up for nearly an hour adding more lacewings to the potion .Its ready .Harry sat up suddenly wide awake .Are you sure ?Positive said Hermione shirting Scabbers the rat so that she could sit down on the end of Rons four poster .If were going to do it I say it should be tonight .At that moment Hedwig swooped into the room carrying a very small package in her beak .Hello said Harry happily as she landed on his bed .Are you speaking to me again ?She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way which was a far better present than the one that she had brought him which turned out to be from the Dursleys .They had sent Harry a toothpick and a note telling him to find out whether hed be able to stay at Hogwarts for the summer vacation too .The rest of Harrys Christmas presents were far more satisfactory .Hagrid had sent him a large tin of treacle toffee which Harry decided to soften by the fire before eating Ron had given him a book called Flying with the Cannons a book of interesting facts about his favorite Quidditch team and Hermione had bought him a luxury eaglefeather quill .Harry opened the last present to find a new handknitted sweater from Mrs Weasley and a large plum cake .He read her card with a fresh surge of guilt thinking about Mr Weasleys car which hadnt been seen since its crash with the Whomping Willow and the bout of rule breaking he and Ron were planning next .No one not even someone dreading taking Polyjuice Potion later could fail to enjoy Christmas dinner at Hogwarts .The Great Hall looked magnificent .Not only were there a dozen frostcovered Christmas trees and thick streamers of holly and mistletoe crisscrossing the ceiling but enchanted snow was falling warm and dry from the ceiling .Dumbledore led them in a few of his favorite carols Hagrid booming more and more loudly with every goblet of eggnog he consumed .Percy who hadnt noticed that Fred had bewitched his prefect badge so that it now read Pinhead kept asking them all what they were sniggering at .Harry didnt even care that Draco Malfoy was making loud snide remarks about his new sweater from the Slytherin table .With a bit of luck Malfoy would be getting his comeuppance in a few hours time .Harry and Ron had barely finished their third helpings of Christmas pudding when Hermione ushered them out of the hall to finalize their plans for the evening .We still need a bit of the people youre changing into said Hermione matteroffactly as though she were sending them to the supermarket for laundry detergent .And obviously itll be best if you can get something of Crabbes and Goyles theyre Malfoys best friends hell tell them anything .And we also need to make sure the real Crabbe and Goyle cant burst in on us while were interrogating him .Ive got it all worked out she went on smoothly ignoring Harrys and Rons stupefied faces .She held up two plump chocolate cakes .Ive filled these with a simple Sleeping Draught .All you have to do is make sure Crabbe and Goyle find them .You know how greedy they are theyre bound to eat them .Once theyre asleep pull out a few of their hairs and hide them in a broom closet .Harry and Ron looked incredulously at each other .Hermione I dont think That could go seriously wrong But Hermione had a steely glint in her eye not unlike the one Professor McGonagall sometimes had .The potion will be useless without Crabbes and Goyles hair she said sternly .You do want to investigate Malfoy dont you ?Oh all right all right said Harry .But what about you ?Whose hair are you ripping out ?Ive already got mine !said Hermione brightly pulling a tiny bottle out of her pocket and showing them the single hair inside it .Remember Millicent Bulstrode wrestling with me at the Dueling Club ?She left this on my robes when she was trying to strangle me !And shes gone home for Christmas so Ill just have to tell the Slytherins Ive decided to come back .When Hermione had bustled off to check on the Polyjuice Potion again Ron turned to Harry with a doomladen expression .Have you ever heard of a plan where so many things could go wrong ?But to Harrys and Rons utter amazement stage one of the operation went just as smoothly as Hermione had said .They lurked in the deserted entrance hall after Christmas tea waiting for Crabbe and Goyle who had remained alone at the Slytherin table shoveling down fourth helpings of trifle .Harry had perched the chocolate cakes on the end of the banisters .When they spotted Crabbe and Goyle coming out of the Great Hall Harry and Ron hid quickly behind a suit of armor next to the front door .How thick can you get ?Ron whispered ecstatically as Crabbe gleefully pointed out the cakes to Goyle and grabbed them .Grinning stupidly they stuffed the cakes whole into their large mouths .For a moment both of them chewed greedily looks of triumph on their faces .Then without the smallest change of expression they both keeled over backward onto the floor .By far the hardest part was hiding them in the closet across the hall .Once they were safely stowed among the buckets and mops Harry yanked out a couple of the bristles that covered Goyle s forehead and Ron pulled out several of Crabbe s hairs .They also stole their shoes because their own were far too small for Crabbe and Goylesize feet .Then still stunned at what they had just done they sprinted up to Moaning Myrtles bathroom .They could hardly see for the thick black smoke issuing from the stall in which Hermione was stirring the cauldron .Pulling their robes up over their faces Harry and Ron knocked softly on the door .Hermione ?They heard the scrape of the lock and Hermione emerged shinyfaced and looking anxious .Behind her they heard the gloop gloop of the bubbling glutinous potion .Three glass tumblers stood ready on the toilet seat .Did you get them ?Hermione asked breathlessly .Harry showed her Goyles hair .Good .And I sneaked these spare robes out of the laundry Hermione said holding up a small sack .Youll need bigger sizes once youre Crabbe and Goyle .The three of them stared into the cauldron .Close up the potion looked like thick dark mud bubbling sluggishly .Im sure Ive done everything right said Hermione nervously rereading the splotched page of Moste Potente Potions .It looks like the book says it should .once weve drunk it well have exactly an hour before we change back into ourselves .Now what ?Ron whispered .We separate it into three glasses and add the hairs .Hermione ladled large dollops of the potion into each of the glasses .Then her hand trembling she shook Millicent Bulstrodes hair out of its bottle into the first glass .The potion hissed loudly like a boiling kettle and frothed madly .A second later it had turned a sick sort of yellow .Urgh essence of Millicent Bulstrode said Ron eyeing it with loathing .Bet it tastes disgusting .Add yours then said Hermione .Harry dropped Goyles hair into the middle glass and Ron put Crabbes into the last one .Both glasses hissed and frothed Goyles turned the khaki color of a booger Crabbes a dark murky brown .Hang on said Harry as Ron and Hermione reached for their glasses .Wed better not all drink them in here .Once we turn into Crabbe and Goyle we wont fit .And Millicent Bulstrodes no pixie .Good thinking said Ron unlocking the door .Well take separate stalls .Careful not to spill a drop of his Polyjuice Potion Harry slipped into the middle stall .Ready ?he called .Ready came Rons and Hermiones voices .One two three Pinching his nose Harry drank the potion down in two large gulps .It tasted like overcooked cabbage .Immediately his insides started writhing as though hed just swallowed live snakes doubled up he wondered whether he was going to be sick then a burning sensation spread rapidly from his stomach to the very ends of his fingers and toes next bringing him gasping to all fours came a horrible melting feeling as the skin all over his body bubbled like hot wax and before his eyes his hands began to grow the fingers thickened the nails broadened the knuckles were bulging like bolts his shoulders stretched painfully and a prickling on his forehead told him that hair was creeping down toward his eyebrows his robes ripped as his chest expanded like a barrel bursting its hoops his feet were agony in shoes four sizes too small As suddenly as it had started everything stopped .Harry lay facedown on the stonecold floor listening to Myrtle gurgling morosely in the end toilet .With difficulty he kicked off his shoes and stood up .So this was what it felt like being Goyle .His large hand trembling he pulled off his old robes which were hanging a foot above his ankles pulled on the spare ones and laced up Goyles boatlike shoes .He reached up to brush his hair out of his eyes and met only the short growth of wiry bristles low on his forehead .Then he realized that his glasses were clouding his eyes because Goyle obviously didnt need them he took them off and called Are you two okay ?Goyles low rasp of a voice issued from his mouth .Yeah came the deep grunt of Crabbe from his right .Harry unlocked his door and stepped in front of the cracked mirror .Goyle stared back at him out of dull deepset eyes .Harry scratched his ear .So did Goyle .Rons door opened .They stared at each other .Except that he looked pale and shocked Ron was indistinguishable from Crabbe from the pudding bowl haircut to the long gorilla arms .This is unbelievable said Ron approaching the mirror and prodding Crabbe s flat nose .Unbelievable .Wed better get going said Harry loosening the watch that was cutting into Goyles thick wrist .Weve still got to find out where the Slytherin common room is .I only hope we can find someone to follow .Ron who had been gazing at Harry said You dont know how bizarre it is to see Goyle thinking .He banged on Hermiones door .Cmon we need to go A highpitched voice answered him .I I dont think Im going to come after all .You go on without me .Hermione we know Millicent Bulstrodes ugly no ones going to know its you No really I dont think Ill come .You two hurry up youre wasting time Harry looked at Ron bewildered .That looks more like Goyle said Ron .Thats how he looks every time a teacher asks him a question .Hermione are you okay ?said Harry through the door .Fine Im fine go on Harry looked at his watch .Five of their precious sixty minutes had already passed .Well meet you back here all right ?he said .Harry and Ron opened the door of the bathroom carefully checked that the coast was clear and set off .Dont swing your arms like that Harry muttered to Ron .Eh ?Crabbe holds them sort of stiff .Hows this ?Yeah thats better .They went down the marble staircase .All they needed now was a Slytherin that they could follow to the Slytherin common room but there was nobody around .Any ideas ?muttered Harry .The Slytherins always come up to breakfast from over there said Ron nodding at the entrance to the dungeons .The words had barely left his mouth when a girl with long curly hair emerged from the entrance .Excuse me said Ron hurrying up to her .Weve forgotten the way to our common room .I beg your pardon ?said the girl stiffly .Our common room ?Im a Ravenclaw .She walked away looking suspiciously back at them .Harry and Ron hurried down the stone steps into the darkness their footsteps echoing particularly loudly as Crabbes and Goyles huge feet hit the floor feeling that this wasnt going to be as easy as they had hoped .The labyrinthine passages were deserted .They walked deeper and deeper under the school constantly checking their watches to see how much time they had left .After a quarter of an hour just when they were getting desperate they heard a sudden movement ahead .Ha !said Ron excitedly .Theres one of them now !The figure was emerging from a side room .As they hurried nearer however their hearts sank .It wasnt a Slytherin it was Percy .Whatre you doing down here ?said Ron in surprise .Percy looked affronted .That he said stiffly is none of your business .Its Crabbe isnt it ?Wh oh yeah said Ron .Well get off to your dormitories said Percy sternly .Its not safe to go wandering around dark corridors these days .You are Ron pointed out .I said Percy drawing himself up am a prefect .Nothings about to attack me .A voice suddenly echoed behind Harry and Ron .Draco Malfoy was strolling toward them and for the first time in his life Harry was pleased to see him .There you are he drawled looking at them .Have you two been pigging out in the Great Hall all this time ?Ive been looking for you I want to show you something really funny .Malfoy glanced witheringly at Percy .And whatre you doing down here Weasley ?he sneered .Percy looked outraged .You want to show a bit more respect to a school prefect !he said .I dont like your attitude !Malfoy sneered and motioned for Harry and Ron to follow him .Harry almost said something apologetic to Percy but caught himself just in time .He and Ron hurried after Malfoy who said as they turned into the next passage That Peter Weasley Percy Ron corrected him automatically .Whatever said Malfoy .Ive noticed him sneaking around a lot lately .And I bet I know what hes up to .He thinks hes going to catch Slytherins heir single handed .He gave a short derisive laugh .Harry and Ron exchanged excited looks .Malfoy paused by a stretch of bare damp stone wall .Whats the new password again ?he said to Harry .Er said Harry .Oh yeah pureblood said Malfoy not listening and a stone door concealed in the wall slid open .Malfoy marched through it and Harry and Ron followed him .The Slytherin common room was a long low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling from which round greenish lamps were hanging on chains .A fire was crackling under an elaborately carved mantelpiece ahead of them and several Slytherins were silhouetted around it in highbacked chairs .Wait here said Malfoy to Harry and Ron motioning them to a pair of empty chairs set back from the fire .Ill go and get it my fathers just sent it to me Wondering what Malfoy was going to show them Harry and Ron sat down doing their best to look at home .Malfoy came back a minute later holding what looked like a newspaper clipping .He thrust it under Rons nose .Thatll give you a laugh he said .Harry saw Rons eyes widen in shock .He read the clipping quickly gave a very forced laugh and handed it to Harry .It had been clipped out of the Daily Prophet and it said INQUIRY AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC Arthur Weasley Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office was today fined fifty Galleons for bewitching a Muggle car .Mr Lucius Malfoy a governor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where the enchanted car crashed earlier this year called today for Mr Weasleys resignation .Weasley has brought the Ministry into disrepute Mr Malfoy told our reporter .He is clearly unfit to draw up our laws and his ridiculous Muggle Protection Act should be scrapped immediately .Mr Weasley was unavailable for comment although his wife told reporters to clear off or shed set the family ghoul on them .Well ?said Malfoy impatiently as Harry handed the clipping back to him .Dont you think its funny ?Ha ha said Harry bleakly .Arthur Weasley loves Muggles so much he should snap his wand in half and go and join them said Malfoy scornfully .Youd never know the Weasleys were purebloods the way they behave .Rons or rather Crabbes face was contorted with fury .Whats up with you Crabbe ?snapped Malfoy .Stomachache Ron grunted .Well go up to the hospital wing and give all those Mudbloods a kick from me said Malfoy snickering .You know Im surprised the Daily Prophet hasnt reported all these attacks yet he went on thoughtfully .I suppose Dumbledores trying to hush it all up .Hell be sacked if it doesnt stop soon .Fathers always said old Dumbledores the worst thing thats ever happened to this place .He loves Muggle borns .A decent headmaster would never ve let slime like that Creevey in .Malfoy started taking pictures with an imaginary camera and did a cruel but accurate impression of Colin ‘Potter can I have your picture Potter ?Can I have your autograph ?Can I lick your shoes please Potter ?He dropped his hands and looked at Harry and Ron .Whats the matter with you two ?Far too late Harry and Ron forced themselves to laugh but Malfoy seemed satisfied perhaps Crabbe and Goyle were always slow on the uptake .Saint Potter the Mudbloods friend said Malfoy slowly .Hes another one with no proper wizard feeling or he wouldnt go around with that jumpedup Granger Mudblood .And people think hes Slytherins heir !Harry and Ron waited with bated breath Malfoy was surely seconds away from telling them it was him but then I wish I knew who it is said Malfoy petulantly .I could help them .Rons jaw dropped so that Crabbe looked even more clueless than usual .Fortunately Malfoy didnt notice and Harry thinking fast said You must have some idea whos behind it all .You know I havent Goyle how many times do I have to tell you ?snapped Malfoy .And Father wont tell me anything about the last time the Chamber was opened either .Of course it was fifty years ago so it was before his time but he knows all about it and he says that it was all kept quiet and itll look suspicious if I know too much about it .But I know one thing last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened a Mudblood died .So I bet its a matter of time before one of thems killed this time .I hope its Granger he said with relish .Ron was clenching Crabbe s gigantic fists .Feeling that it would be a bit of a giveaway if Ron punched Malfoy Harry shot him a warning look and said Dyou know if the person who opened the Chamber last time was caught ?Oh yeah .whoever it was was expelled said Malfoy .Theyre probably still in Azkaban .Azkaban ?said Harry puzzled .Azkaban the wizard prison Goyle said Malfoy looking at him in disbelief .Honestly if you were any slower youd be going backward .He shifted restlessly in his chair and said Father says to keep my head down and let the Heir of Slytherin get on with it .He says the school needs ridding of all the Mudblood filth but not to get mixed up in it .Of course hes got a lot on his plate at the moment .You know the Ministry of Magic raided our manor last week ?Harry tried to force Goyle s dull face into a look of concern .Yeah .said Malfoy .Luckily they didnt find much .Fathers got some very valuable Dark Arts stuff .But luckily weve got our own secret chamber under the drawingroom floor Ho !said Ron .Malfoy looked at him .So did Harry .Ron blushed .Even his hair was turning red .His nose was also slowly lengthening their hour was up Ron was turning back into himself and from the look of horror he was suddenly giving Harry he must be too .They both jumped to their feet .Medicine for my stomach Ron grunted and without further ado they sprinted the length of the Slytherin common room hurled themselves at the stone wall and dashed up the passage hoping against hope that Malfoy hadnt noticed anything .Harry could feel his feet slipping around in Goyles huge shoes and had to hoist up his robes as he shrank they crashed up the steps into the dark entrance hall which was full of a muffled pounding coming from the closet where theyd locked Crabbe and Goyle .Leaving their shoes outside the closet door they sprinted in their socks up the marble staircase toward Moaning Myrtles bathroom .Well it wasnt a complete waste of time Ron panted closing the bathroom door behind them .I know we still havent found out whos doing the attacks but Im going to write to Dad tomorrow and tell him to check under the Malfoys drawing room .Harry checked his face in the cracked mirror .He was back to normal .He put his glasses on as Ron hammered on the door of Hermiones stall .Hermione come out weve got loads to tell you Go away !Hermione squeaked .Harry and Ron looked at each other .Whats the matter ?said Ron .You must be back to normal by now we are But Moaning Myrtle glided suddenly through the stall door .Harry had never seen her looking so happy .Ooooooh wait till you see she said .Its awful They heard the lock slide back and Hermione emerged sobbing her robes pulled up over her head .Whats up ?said Ron uncertainly .Have you still got Millicents nose or something ?Hermione let her robes fall and Ron backed into the sink .Her face was covered in black fur .Her eyes had turned yellow and there were long pointed ears poking through her hair .It was a ccat hair !she howled .MMillicent Bulstrode mmust have a cat !And the ppotion isnt supposed to be used for animal transformations !Uhoh said Ron .Youll be teased something dreadful said Myrtle happily .Its okay Hermione said Harry quickly .Well take you up to the hospital wing .Madam Pomfrey never asks too many questions .It took a long time to persuade Hermione to leave the bathroom .Moaning Myrtle sped them on their way with a hearty guffaw .Wait till everyone finds out youve got a tail V THE VERY SECRET DIARY Hermione remained in the hospital wing for several weeks .There was a flurry of rumor about her disappearance when the rest of the school arrived back from their Christmas holidays because of course everyone thought that she had been attacked .So many students filed past the hospital wing trying to catch a glimpse of her that Madam Pomfrey took out her curtains again and placed them around Hermiones bed to spare her the shame of being seen with a furry face .Harry and Ron went to visit her every evening .When the new term started they brought her each days homework .If Id sprouted whiskers Id take a break from work said Ron tipping a stack of books onto Hermiones bedside table one evening .Dont be silly Ron Ive got to keep up said Hermione briskly .Her spirits were greatly improved by the fact that all the hair had gone from her face and her eyes were turning slowly back to brown .I dont suppose youve got any new leads ?she added in a whisper so that Madam Pomfrey couldnt hear her .Nothing said Harry gloomily .I was so sure it was Malfoy said Ron for about the hundredth time .Whats that ?asked Harry pointing to something gold sticking out from under Hermiones pillow .Just a get well card said Hermione hastily trying to poke it out of sight but Ron was too quick for her .He pulled it out flicked it open and read aloud To Miss Granger wishing you a speedy recovery from your concerned teacher Professor Gilderoy Lockhart Order of Merlin Third Class Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League and fivetime winner of Witch Weeklys MostCharmingSmile Award .Ron looked up at Hermione disgusted .You sleep with this under your pillow ?But Hermione was spared answering by Madam Pomfrey sweeping over with her evening dose of medicine .Is Lockhart the smarmiest bloke youve ever met or what ?Ron said to Harry as they left the infirmary and started up the stairs toward Gryffindor Tower .Snape had given them so much homework Harry thought he was likely to be in the sixth year before he finished it .Ron was just saying he wished he had asked Hermione how many rat tails you were supposed to add to a HairRaising Potion when an angry outburst from the floor above reached their ears .Thats Filch Harry muttered as they hurried up the stairs and paused out of sight listening hard .You dont think someone elses been attacked ?said Ron tensely .They stood still their heads inclined toward Filchs voice which sounded quite hysterical .even more work for me !Mopping all night like I havent got enough to do !No this is the final straw Im going to Dumbledore His footsteps receded along the outofsight corridor and they heard a distant door slam .They poked their heads around the corner .Filch had clearly been manning his usual lookout post They were once again on the spot where Mrs Norris had been attacked .They saw at a glance what Filch had been shouting about .A great flood of water stretched over half the corridor and it looked as though it was still seeping from under the door of Moaning Myrtles bathroom .Now that Filch had stopped shouting they could hear Myrtles wails echoing off the bathroom walls .Now whats up with her ?said Ron .Lets go and see said Harry and holding their robes over their ankles they stepped through the great wash of water to the door bearing its OUT OF ORDER sign ignored it as always and entered .Moaning Myrtle was crying if possible louder and harder than ever before .She seemed to be hiding down her usual toilet .It was dark in the bathroom because the candles had been extinguished in the great rush of water that had left both walls and floor soaking wet .Whats up Myrtle ?said Harry .Whos that ?glugged Myrtle miserably .Come to throw something else at me ?Harry waded across to her stall and said Why would I throw something at you ?Dont ask me Myrtle shouted emerging with a wave of yet more water which splashed onto the already sopping floor .Here I am minding my own business and someone thinks its funny to throw a book at me .But it cant hurt you if someone throws something at you said Harry reasonably .I mean itd just go right through you wouldnt it ?He had said the wrong thing .Myrtle puffed herself up and shrieked Lets all throw books at Myrtle because she cant feel it !Ten points if you can get it through her stomach !Fifty points if it goes through her head !Well ha ha ha !What a lovely game I dont think !Who threw it at you anyway ?asked Harry .I dont know .I was just sitting in the Ubend thinking about death and it fell right through the top of my head said Myrtle glaring at them .Its over there it got washed out .Harry and Ron looked under the sink where Myrtle was pointing .A small thin book lay there .It had a shabby black cover and was as wet as everything else in the bathroom .Harry stepped forward to pick it up but Ron suddenly flung out an arm to hold him back .What ?said Harry .Are you cra2y ?said Ron .It could be dangerous .Dangerous ?said Harry laughing .Come off it how could it be dangerous ?Youd be surprised said Ron who was looking apprehensively at the book .Some of the books the Ministrys confiscated Dads told me there was one that burned your eyes out .And everyone who read Sonnets of a Sorcerer spoke in limericks for the rest of their lives .And some old witch in Bath had a book that you could never stop reading !You just had to wander around with your nose in it trying to do everything onehanded .And All right Ive got the point said Harry .The little book lay on the floor nondescript and soggy .Well we wont find out unless we look at it he said and he ducked around Ron and picked it up off the floor .Harry saw at once that it was a diary and the faded year on the cover told him it was fifty years old .He opened it eagerly .On the first page he could just make out the name T .M .Riddle in smudged ink .Hang on said Ron who had approached cautiously and was looking over Harrys shoulder .I know that name .T .M .Riddle got an award for special services to the school fifty years ago .How on earth dyou know that ?said Harry in amazement .Because Filch made me polish his shield about fifty times in detention said Ron resentfully .That was the one I burped slugs all over .If youd wiped slime off a name for an hour youd remember it too .Harry peeled the wet pages apart .They were completely blank .There wasnt the faintest trace of writing on any of them not even Auntie Mabels birthday or dentist halfpast three .He never wrote in it said Harry disappointed .I wonder why someone wanted to flush it away ?said Ron curiously .Harry turned to the back cover of the book and saw the printed name of a variety store on Vauxhall Road London .He mustve been Muggleborn said Harry thoughtfully .To have bought a diary from Vauxhall Road .Well its not much use to you said Ron .He dropped his voice .Fifty points if you can get it through Myrtles nose .Harry however pocketed it .Hermione left the hospital wing dewhiskered tail less and furfree at the beginning of February .On her first evening back in Gryffindor Tower Harry showed her T .M .Riddles diary and told her the story of how they had found it .Oooh it might have hidden powers said Hermione enthusiastically taking the diary and looking at it closely .If it has its hiding them very well said Ron .Maybe its shy .I dont know why you dont chuck it Harry .I wish I knew why someone did try to chuck it said Harry .I wouldnt mind knowing how Riddle got an award for special services to Hogwarts either .Couldve been anything said Ron .Maybe he got thirty O .W .L .s or saved a teacher from the giant squid .Maybe he murdered Myrtle that wouldve done everyone a favor .But Harry could tell from the arrested look on Hermione s face that she was thinking what he was thinking .What ?said Ron looking from one to the other .Well the Chamber of Secrets was opened fifty years ago wasnt it ?he said .Thats what Malfoy said .Yeah .said Ron slowly .And this diary is fifty years old said Hermione tapping it excitedly .So ?Oh Ron wake up snapped Hermione .We know the person who opened the Chamber last time was expelled fifty years ago .We know T .M .Riddle got an award for special services to the school fifty years ago .Well what if Riddle got his special award for catching the Heir of Slytherin ?His diary would probably tell us everything where the Chamber is and how to open it and what sort of creature lives in it the person whos behind the attacks this time wouldnt want that lying around would they ?Thats a brilliant theory Hermione said Ron with just one tiny little flaw .Theres nothing written in his diary .But Hermione was pulling her wand out of her bag .It might be invisible ink !she whispered .She tapped the diary three times and said Aparecium Nothing happened .Undaunted Hermione shoved her hand back into her bag and pulled out what appeared to be a bright red eraser .Its a Revealer I got it in Diagon Alley she said .She rubbed hard on January first .Nothing happened .Im telling you theres nothing to find in there said Ron .Riddle just got a diary for Christmas and couldnt be bothered filling it in .Harry couldnt explain even to himself why he didnt just throw Riddles diary away .The fact was that even though he knew the diary was blank he kept absentmindedly picking it up and turning the pages as though it were a story he wanted to finish .And while Harry was sure he had never heard the name T .M .Riddle before it still seemed to mean something to him almost as though Riddle was a friend hed had when he was very small and had halfforgotten .But this was absurd .Hed never had friends before Hogwarts Dudley had made sure of that .Nevertheless Harry was determined to find out more about Riddle so next day at break he headed for the trophy room to examine Riddles special award accompanied by an interested Hermione and a thoroughly unconvinced Ron who told them hed seen enough of the trophy room to last him a lifetime .Riddles burnished gold shield was tucked away in a corner cabinet .It didnt carry details of why it had been given to him Good thing too or itd be even bigger and Id still be polishing it said Ron .However they did find Riddles name on an old Medal for Magical Merit and on a list of old Head Boys .He sounds like Percy said Ron wrinkling his nose in disgust .Prefect Head Boy .probably top of every class You say that like its a bad thing said Hermione in a slightly hurt voice .The sun had now begun to shine weakly on Hogwarts again .Inside the castle the mood had grown more hopeful .There had been no more attacks since those on Justin and Nearly Headless Nick and Madam Pomfrey was pleased to report that the Mandrakes were becoming moody and secretive meaning that they were fast leaving childhood .The moment their acne clears up theyll be ready for repotting again Harry heard her telling Filch kindly one afternoon .And after that it wont be long until were cutting them up and stewing them .Youll have Mrs Norris back in no time .Perhaps the Heir of Slytherin had lost his or her nerve thought Harry .It must be getting riskier and riskier to open the Chamber of Secrets with the school so alert and suspicious .Perhaps the monster whatever it was was even now settling itself down to hibernate for another fifty years .Ernie Macmillan of Hufflepuff didnt take this cheerful view .He was still convinced that Harry was the guilty one that he had given himself away at the Dueling Club .Peeves wasnt helping matters he kept popping up in the crowded corridors singing Oh Potter you rotter .now with a dance routine to match .Gilderoy Lockhart seemed to think he himself had made the attacks stop .Harry overheard him telling Professor McGonagall so while the Gryffindors were lining up for Transfiguration .I dont think therell be any more trouble Minerva he said tapping his nose knowingly and winking .I think the Chamber has been locked for good this time .The culprit must have known it was only a matter of time before I caught him .Rather sensible to stop now before I came down hard on him .You know what the school needs now is a morale booster .Wash away the memories of last term !I wont say any more just now but I think I know just the thing .He tapped his nose again and strode off .Lockharts idea of a moralebooster became clear at breakfast time on February fourteenth .Harry hadnt had much sleep because of a laterunning Quidditch practice the night before and he hurried down to the Great Hall slightly late .He thought for a moment that hed walked through the wrong doors .The walls were all covered with large lurid pink flowers .Worse still heartshaped confetti was falling from the pale blue ceiling .Harry went over to the Gryffindor table where Ron was sitting looking sickened and Hermione seemed to have been overcome with giggles .Whats going on ?Harry asked them sitting down and wiping confetti off his bacon .Ron pointed to the teachers table apparently too disgusted to speak .Lockhart wearing lurid pink robes to match the decorations was waving for silence .The teachers on either side of him were looking stonyfaced .From where he sat Harry could see a muscle going in Professor McGonagalls cheek .Snape looked as though someone had just fed him a large beaker of SkeleGro .Happy Valentines Day !Lockhart shouted .And may I thank the fortysix people who have so far sent me cards !Yes I have taken the liberty of arranging this little surprise for you all and it doesnt end here !Lockhart clapped his hands and through the doors to the entrance hall marched a dozen surlylooking dwarfs .Not just any dwarfs however .Lockhart had them all wearing golden wings and carrying harps .My friendly cardcarrying cupids !beamed Lockhart .They will be roving around the school today delivering your valentines !And the fun doesnt stop here !Im sure my colleagues will want to enter into the spirit of the occasion !Why not ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip up a Love Potion !And while youre at it Professor Flitwick knows more about Entrancing Enchantments than any wizard Ive ever met the sly old dog !Professor Flitwick buried his face in his hands .Snape was looking as though the first person to ask him for a Love Potion would be forcefed poison .Please Hermione tell me you werent one of the fortysix said Ron as they left the Great Hall for their first lesson .Hermione suddenly became very interested in searching her bag for her schedule and didnt answer .All day long the dwarfs kept barging into their classes to deliver valentines to the annoyance of the teachers and late that afternoon as the Gryffindors were walking upstairs for Charms one of the dwarfs caught up with Harry .Oy you !Arry Potter !shouted a particularly grim looking dwarf elbowing people out of the way to get to Harry .Hot all over at the thought of being given a valentine in front of a line of first years which happened to include Ginny Weasley Harry tried to escape .The dwarf however cut his way through the crowd by kicking peoples shins and reached him before hed gone two paces .Ive got a musical message to deliver to Arry Potter in person he said twanging his harp in a threatening sort of way .Not here Harry hissed trying to escape .Stay stilll grunted the dwarf grabbing hold of Harrys bag and pulling him back .Let me go !Harry snarled tugging .With a loud ripping noise his bag split in two .His books wand parchment and quill spilled onto the floor and his ink bottle smashed over everything .Harry scrambled around trying to pick it all up before the dwarf started singing causing something of a holdup in the corridor .Whats going on here ?came the cold drawling voice of Draco Malfoy .Harry started stuffing everything feverishly into his ripped bag desperate to get away before Malfoy could hear his musical valentine .Whats all this commotion ?said another familiar voice as Percy Weasley arrived .Losing his head Harry tried to make a run for it but the dwarf seized him around the knees and brought him crashing to the floor .Right he said sitting on Harrys ankles .Here is your singing valentine His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad His hair is as dark as a blackboard .I wish he was mine hes really divine The hero who conquered the Dark Lord .Harry would have given all the gold in Gringotts to evaporate on the spot .Trying valiantly to laugh along with everyone else he got up his feet numb from the weight of the dwarf as Percy Weasley did his best to disperse the crowd some of whom were crying with mirth .Off you go off you go the bell rang five minutes ago off to class now he said shooing some of the younger students away .And you Malfoy Harry glancing over saw Malfoy stoop and snatch up something .Leering he showed it to Crabbe and Goyle and Harry realized that hed got Riddles diary .Give that back said Harry quietly .Wonder what Potters written in this ?said Malfoy who obviously hadnt noticed the year on the cover and thought he had Harrys own diary .A hush fell over the onlookers .Ginny was staring from the diary to Harry looking terrified .Hand it over Malfoy said Percy sternly .When Ive had a look said Malfoy waving the diary tauntingly at Harry .Percy said As a school prefect but Harry had lost his temper .He pulled out his wand and shouted ExpelliarmusV and just as Snape had disarmed Lockhart so Malfoy found the diary shooting out of his hand into the air .Ron grinning broadly caught it .Harry !said Percy loudly .No magic in the corridors .Ill have to report this you know !But Harry didnt care he was oneup on Malfoy and that was worth five points from Gryffindor any day .Malfoy was looking furious and as Ginny passed him to enter her classroom he yelled spitefully after her I dont think Potter liked your valentine much !Ginny covered her face with her hands and ran into class .Snarling Ron pulled out his wand too but Harry pulled him away .Ron didnt need to spend the whole of Charms belching slugs .It wasnt until they had reached Professor Flitwicks class that Harry noticed something rather odd about Riddles diary .All his other books were drenched in scarlet ink .The diary however was as clean as it had been before the ink bottle had smashed all over it .He tried to point this out to Ron but Ron was having trouble with his wand again large purple bubbles were blossoming out of the end and he wasnt much interested in anything else .Jc Jc Jc Harry went to bed before anyone else in his dormitory that night .This was partly because he didnt think he could stand Fred and George singing His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad one more time and partly because he wanted to examine Riddles diary again and knew that Ron thought he was wasting his time .Harry sat on his fourposter and flicked through the blank pages not one of which had a trace of scarlet ink on it .Then he pulled a new bottle out of his bedside cabinet dipped his quill into it and dropped a blot onto the first page of the diary .The ink shone brightly on the paper for a second and then as though it was being sucked into the page vanished .Excited Harry loaded up his quill a second time and wrote My name is Harry Potter .The words shone momentarily on the page and they too sank without trace .Then at last something happened .Oozing back out of the page in his very own ink came words Harry had never written .Hello Harry Potter .My name is Tom Riddle .How did you come by my diary ?These words too faded away but not before Harry had started to scribble back .Someone tried to flush it down a toilet .He waited eagerly for Riddles reply .Lucky that I recorded my memories in some more lasting way than ink .But I always knew that there would be those who would not want this diary read .What do you mean ?Harry scrawled blotting the page in his excitement .I mean that this diary holds memories of terrible things .Things that were covered up .Things that happened at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry .Thats where I am now Harry wrote quickly .Im at Hogwarts and horrible stuffs been happening .Do you know anything about the Chamber of Secrets ?His heart was hammering .Riddles reply came quickly his writing becoming untidier as though he was hurrying to tell all he knew .Of course I know about the Chamber of Secrets .In my day they told us it was a legend that it did not exist .But this was a lie .In my fifth year the Chamber was opened and the monster attacked several students finally killing one .I caught the person whod opened the Chamber and he was expelled .But the headmaster Professor Dippet ashamed that such a thing had happened at Hogwarts forbade me to tell the truth .A story was given out that the girl had died in a freak accident They gave me a nice shiny engraved trophy for my trouble and warned me to keep my mouth shut But I knew it could happen again .The monster lived on and the one who had the power to release it was not imprisoned .Harry nearly upset his ink bottle in his hurry to write back .Its happening again now .There have been three attacks and no one seems to know whos behind them .Who was it last time ?I can show you if you like came Riddles reply .You dont have to take my word for it .I can take you inside my memory of the night when I caught him .Harry hesitated his quill suspended over the diary .What did Riddle mean ?How could he be taken inside somebody elses memory ?He glanced nervously at the door to the dormitory which was growing dark .When he looked back at the diary he saw fresh words forming .Let me show you .Harry paused for a fraction of a second and then wrote two letters .OK .The pages of the diary began to blow as though caught in a high wind stopping halfway through the month of June .Mouth hanging open Harry saw that the little square for June thirteenth seemed to have turned into a minuscule television screen .His hands trembling slightly he raised the book to press his eye against the little window and before he knew what was happening he was tilting forward the window was widening he felt his body leave his bed and he was pitched headfirst through the opening in the page into a whirl of color and shadow .He felt his feet hit solid ground and stood shaking as the blurred shapes around him came suddenly into focus .He knew immediately where he was .This circular room with the sleeping portraits was Dumbledores office but it wasnt Dumbledore who was sitting behind the desk .A wizened fraillooking wizard bald except for a few wisps of white hair was reading a letter by candlelight .Harry had never seen this man before .Im sorry he said shakily .I didnt mean to butt in But the wizard didnt look up .He continued to read frowning slightly .Harry drew nearer to his desk and stammered Er Ill just go shall I ?Still the wizard ignored him .He didnt seem even to have heard him .Thinking that the wizard might be deaf Harry raised his voice .Sorry I disturbed you .Ill go now he halfshouted .The wizard folded up the letter with a sigh stood up walked past Harry without glancing at him and went to draw the curtains at his window .The sky outside the window was rubyred it seemed to be sunset .The wizard went back to the desk sat down and twiddled his thumbs watching the door .Harry looked around the office .No Fawkes the phoenix no whirring silver contraptions .This was Hogwarts as Riddle had known it meaning that this unknown wizard was headmaster not Dumbledore and he Harry was little more than a phantom completely invisible to the people of fifty years ago .There was a knock on the office door .Enter said the old wizard in a feeble voice .A boy of about sixteen entered taking off his pointed hat .A silver prefects badge was glinting on his chest .He was much taller than Harry but he too had jet black hair .Ah Riddle said the headmaster .You wanted to see me Professor Dippet ?said Riddle .He looked nervous .Sit down said Dippet .Ive just been reading the letter you sent me .Oh said Riddle .He sat down gripping his hands together very tightly .My dear boy said Dippet kindly I cannot possibly let you stay at school over the summer .Surely you want to go home for the holidays ?No said Riddle at once .Id much rather stay at Hogwarts than go back to that to that You live in a Muggle orphanage during the holidays I believe ?said Dippet curiously .Yes sir said Riddle reddening slightly .You are Muggleborn ?Halfblood sir said Riddle .Muggle father witch mother .And are both your parents ?My mother died just after I was born sir .They told me at the orphanage she lived just long enough to name me Tom after my father Marvolo after my grandfather .Dippet clucked his tongue sympathetically .The thing is Tom he sighed special arrangements might have been made for you but in the current circumstances .You mean all these attacks sir ?said Riddle and Harrys heart leapt and he moved closer scared of missing anything .Precisely said the headmaster .My dear boy you must see how foolish it would be of me to allow you to remain at the castle when term ends .Particularly in light of the recent tragedy .the death of that poor little girl .You will be safer by far at your orphanage .As a matter of fact the Ministry of Magic is even now talking about closing the school .We are no nearer locating the er source of all this unpleasantness .Riddles eyes had widened .Sir if the person was caught if it all stopped What do you mean ?said Dippet with a squeak in his voice sitting up in his chair .Riddle do you mean you know something about these attacks ?No sir said Riddle quickly .But Harry was sure it was the same sort of no that he himself had given Dumbledore .Dippet sank back looking faintly disappointed .You may go Tom .Riddle slid off his chair and slouched out of the room .Harry followed him .Down the moving spiral staircase they went emerging next to the gargoyle in the darkening corridor .Riddle stopped and so did Harry watching him .Harry could tell that Riddle was doing some serious thinking .He was biting his lip his forehead furrowed .Then as though he had suddenly reached a decision he hurried off Harry gliding noiselessly behind him .They didnt see another person until they reached the entrance hall when a tall wizard with long sweeping auburn hair and a beard called to Riddle from the marble staircase .What are you doing wandering around this late Tom ?Harry gaped at the wizard .He was none other than a fiftyyearyounger Dumbledore .I had to see the headmaster sir said Riddle .Well hurry off to bed said Dumbledore giving Riddle exactly the kind of penetrating stare Harry knew so well .Best not to roam the corridors these days .Not since .He sighed heavily bade Riddle good night and strode off .Riddle watched him walk out of sight and then moving quickly headed straight down the stone steps to the dungeons with Harry in hot pursuit .But to Harrys disappointment Riddle led him not into a hidden passageway or a secret tunnel but to the very dungeon in which Harry had Potions with Snape .The torches hadnt been lit and when Riddle pushed the door almost closed Harry could only just see him standing stockstill by the door watching the passage outside .It felt to Harry that they were there for at least an hour .All he could see was the figure of Riddle at the door staring through the crack waiting like a statue .And just when Harry had stopped feeling expectant and tense and started wishing he could return to the present he heard something move beyond the door .Someone was creeping along the passage .He heard whoever it was pass the dungeon where he and Riddle were hidden .Riddle quiet as a shadow edged through the door and followed Harry tiptoeing behind him forgetting that he couldnt be heard .For perhaps five minutes they followed the footsteps until Riddle stopped suddenly his head inclined in the direction of new noises .Harry heard a door creak open and then someone speaking in a hoarse whisper .Cmon .gotta get yeh outta here .Cmon now .in the box .There was something familiar about that voice .Riddle suddenly jumped around the corner .Harry stepped out behind him .He could see the dark outline of a huge boy who was crouching in front of an open door a very large box next to it .Evening Rubeus said Riddle sharply .The boy slammed the door shut and stood up .What yer doin down here Tom ?Riddle stepped closer .Its all over he said .Im going to have to turn you in Rubeus .Theyre talking about closing Hogwarts if the attacks dont stop .What dyeh I dont think you meant to kill anyone .But monsters dont make good pets .I suppose you just let it out for exercise and It never killed no one !said the large boy backing against the closed door .From behind him Harry could hear a funny rustling and clicking .Come on Rubeus said Riddle moving yet closer .The dead girls parents will be here tomorrow .The least Hogwarts can do is make sure that the thing that killed their daughter is slaughtered .It wasnt him !roared the boy his voice echoing in the dark passage .He wouldn !He never !Stand aside said Riddle drawing out his wand .His spell lit the corridor with a sudden flaming light .The door behind the large boy flew open with such force it knocked him into the wall opposite .And out of it came something that made Harry let out a long piercing scream unheard by anyone A vast lowslung hairy body and a tangle of black legs a gleam of many eyes and a pair of razorsharp pincers Riddle raised his wand again but he was too late .The thing bowled him over as it scuttled away tearing up the corridor and out of sight .Riddle scrambled to his feet looking after it he raised his wand but the huge boy leapt on him seized his wand and threw him back down yelling NOOOOOOO !The scene whirled the darkness became complete Harry felt himself falling and with a crash he landed spreadeagled on his fourposter in the Gryffindor dormitory Riddles diary lying open on his stomach .Before he had had time to regain his breath the dormitory door opened and Ron came in .There you are he said .Harry sat up .He was sweating and shaking .Whats up ?said Ron looking at him with concern .It was Hagrid Ron .Hagrid opened the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago .CORNELIUS FUDGE Harry Ron and Hermione had always known that Hagrid had an unfortunate liking for large and monstrous creatures .During their first year at Hogwarts he had tried to raise a dragon in his little wooden house and it would be a long time before they forgot the giant threeheaded dog hed christened Fluffy .And if as a boy Hagrid had heard that a monster was hidden somewhere in the castle Harry was sure hed have gone to any lengths for a glimpse of it .Hed probably thought it was a shame that the monster had been cooped up so long and thought it deserved the chance to stretch its many legs Harry could just imagine the thirteenyearold Hagrid trying to fit a leash and collar on it .But he was equally certain that Hagrid would never have meant to kill anybody .Harry half wished he hadnt found out how to work Riddles diary .Again and again Ron and Hermione made him recount what hed seen until he was heartily sick of telling them and sick of the long circular conversations that followed .Riddle might have got the wrong person said Hermione .Maybe it was some other monster that was attacking people .How many monsters dyou think this place can hold ?Ron asked dully .We always knew Hagrid had been expelled said Harry miserably .And the attacks mustve stopped after Hagrid was kicked out .Otherwise Riddle wouldnt have got his award .Ron tried a different tack .Riddle does sound like Percy who asked him to squeal on Hagrid anyway ?But the monster had killed someone Ron said Hermione .And Riddle was going to go back to some Muggle orphanage if they closed Hogwarts said Harry .I dont blame him for wanting to stay here .You met Hagrid down Knockturn Alley didnt you Harry ?He was buying a FleshEating Slug Repellent said Harry quickly .The three of them fell silent .After a long pause Hermione voiced the knottiest question of all in a hesitant voice .Do you think we should go and ask Hagrid about it all ?Thatd be a cheerful visit said Ron . ‘Hello Hagrid .Tell us have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately ?In the end they decided that they would not say anything to Hagrid unless there was another attack and as more and more days went by with no whisper from the disembodied voice they became hopeful that they would never need to talk to him about why he had been expelled .It was now nearly four months since Justin and Nearly Headless Nick had been Petrified and nearly everybody seemed to think that the attacker whoever it was had retired for good .Peeves had finally got bored of his Oh Potter you rotter song Ernie Macmillan asked Harry quite politely to pass a bucket of leaping toadstools in Herbology one day and in March several of the Mandrakes threw a loud and raucous party in greenhouse three .This made Professor Sprout very happy .The moment they start trying to move into each others pots well know theyre fully mature she told Harry .Then well be able to revive those poor people in the hospital wing .The second years were given something new to think about during their Easter holidays .The time had come to choose their subjects for the third year a matter that Hermione at least took very seriously .It could affect our whole future she told Harry and Ron as they pored over lists of new subjects marking them with checks .I just want to give up Potions said Harry .We cant said Ron gloomily .We keep all our old subjects or Idve ditched Defense Against the Dark Arts .But thats very important !said Hermione shocked .Not the way Lockhart teaches it said Ron .I havent learned anything from him except not to set pixies loose .Neville Longbottom had been sent letters from all the witches and wizards in his family all giving him different advice on what to choose .Confused and worried he sat reading the subject lists with his tongue poking out asking people whether they thought Arithmancy sounded more difficult than the study of Ancient Runes .Dean Thomas who like Harry had grown up with Muggles ended up closing his eyes and jabbing his wand at the list then picking the subjects it landed on .Hermione took nobodys advice but signed up for everything .Harry smiled grimly to himself at the thought of what Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia would say if he tried to discuss his career in wizardry with them .Not that he didnt get any guidance Percy Weasley was eager to share his experience .Depends where you want to go Harry he said .Its never too early to think about the future so Id recommend Divination .People say Muggle Studies is a soft option but I personally think wizards should have a thorough understanding of the nonmagical community particularly if theyre thinking of working in close contact with them look at my father he has to deal with Muggle business all the time .My brother Charlie was always more of an outdoor type so he went for Care of Magical Creatures .Play to your strengths Harry .But the only thing Harry felt he was really good at was Quidditch .In the end he chose the same new subjects as Ron feeling that if he was lousy at them at least hed have someone friendly to help him .Gryffindors next Quidditch match would be against Hufflepuff .Wood was insisting on team practices every night after dinner so that Harry barely had time for anything but Quidditch and homework .However the training sessions were getting better or at least drier and the evening before Saturdays match he went up to his dormitory to drop off his broomstick feeling Gryffindors chances for the Quidditch Cup had never been better .But his cheerful mood didnt last long .At the top of the stairs to the dormitory he met Neville Longbottom who was looking frantic .Harry I dont know who did it I just found Watching Harry fearfully Neville pushed open the door .The contents of Harrys trunk had been thrown everywhere .His cloak lay ripped on the floor .The bedclothes had been pulled off his fourposter and the drawer had been pulled out of his bedside cabinet the contents strewn over the mattress .Harry walked over to the bed openmouthed treading on a few loose pages of Travels with Trolls .As he and Neville pulled the blankets back onto his bed Ron Dean and Seamus came in .Dean swore loudly .What happened Harry ?No idea said Harry .But Ron was examining Harrys robes .All the pockets were hanging out .Someones been looking for something said Ron .Is there anything missing ?Harry started to pick up all his things and throw them into his trunk .It was only as he threw the last of the Lockhart books back into it that he realized what wasnt there .Riddles diarys gone he said in an undertone to Ron .What ?Harry jerked his head toward the dormitory door and Ron followed him out .They hurried down to the Gryffindor common room which was halfempty and joined Hermione who was sitting alone reading a book called Ancient Runes Made Easy .Hermione looked aghast at the news .But only a Gryffindor could have stolen nobody else knows our password Exactly said Harry .They woke the next day to brilliant sunshine and a light refreshing breeze .Perfect Quidditch conditions !said Wood enthusiastically at the Gryffindor table loading the teams plates with scrambled eggs .Harry buck up there you need a decent breakfast .Harry had been staring down the packed Gryffindor table wondering if the new owner of Riddles diary was right in front of his eyes .Hermione had been urging him to report the robbery but Harry didnt like the idea .Hed have to tell a teacher all about the diary and how many people knew why Hagrid had been expelled fifty years ago ?He didnt want to be the one who brought it all up again .As he left the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione to go and collect his Quidditch things another very serious worry was added to Harrys growing list .He had just set foot on the marble staircase when he heard it yet again Kill this time .let me rip .tear .He shouted aloud and Ron and Hermione both jumped away from him in alarm .The voice !said Harry looking over his shoulder .I just heard it again didnt you ?Ron shook his head wideeyed .Hermione however clapped a hand to her forehead .Harry I think Ive just understood something !Ive got to go to the library !And she sprinted away up the stairs .What does she understand ?said Harry distractedly still looking around trying to tell where the voice had come from .Loads more than I do said Ron shaking his head .But whys she got to go to the library ?Because thats what Hermione does said Ron shrugging .When in doubt go to the library .Harry stood irresolute trying to catch the voice again but people were now emerging from the Great Hall behind him talking loudly exiting through the front doors on their way to the Quidditch pitch .Youd better get moving said Ron .Its nearly eleven the match Harry raced up to Gryffindor Tower collected his Nimbus Two Thousand and joined the large crowd swarming across the grounds but his mind was still in the castle along with the bodiless voice and as he pulled on his scarlet robes in the locker room his only comfort was that everyone was now outside to watch the game .The teams walked onto the field to tumultuous applause .Oliver Wood took off for a warmup flight around the goal posts Madam Hooch released the balls .The Hufflepuffs who played in canary yellow were standing in a huddle having a lastminute discussion of tactics .Harry was just mounting his broom when Professor McGonagall came half marching half running across the pitch carrying an enormous purple megaphone .Harrys heart dropped like a stone .This match has been canceled Professor McGonagall called through the megaphone addressing the packed stadium .There were boos and shouts .Oliver Wood looking devastated landed and ran toward Professor McGonagall without getting off his broomstick .But Professor !he shouted .Weve got to play the Cup Gryffindor Professor McGonagall ignored him and continued to shout through her megaphone All students are to make their way back to the House common rooms where their Heads of Houses will give them further information .As quickly as you can please !Then she lowered the megaphone and beckoned Harry over to her .Potter I think youd better come with me .Wondering how she could possibly suspect him this time Harry saw Ron detach himself from the complaining crowd he came running up to them as they set off toward the castle .To Harrys surprise Professor McGonagall didnt object .Yes perhaps youd better come too Weasley .Some of the students swarming around them were grumbling about the match being canceled others looked worried .Harry and Ron followed Professor McGonagall back into the school and up the marble staircase .But they werent taken to anybodys office this time .This will be a bit of a shock said Professor McGonagall in a surprisingly gentle voice as they approached the infirmary .There has been another attack .another double attack .Harrys insides did a horrible somersault .Professor McGonagall pushed the door open and he and Ron entered .Madam Pomfrey was bending over a sixthyear girl with long curly hair .Harry recognized her as the Ravenclaw theyd accidentally asked for directions to the Slytherin common room .And on the bed next to her was HermioneY Ron groaned .Hermione lay utterly still her eyes open and glassy .They were found near the library said Professor McGonagall .I dont suppose either of you can explain this ?It was on the floor next to them .She was holding up a small circular mirror .Harry and Ron shook their heads both staring at Hermione .I will escort you back to Gryffindor Tower said Professor McGonagall heavily .I need to address the students in any case .All students will return to their House common rooms by six oclock in the evening .No student is to leave the dormitories after that time .You will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher .No student is to use the bathroom unaccompanied by a teacher .All further Quidditch training and matches are to be postponed .There will be no more evening activities .The Gryffindors packed inside the common room listened to Professor McGonagall in silence .She rolled up the parchment from which she had been reading and said in a somewhat choked voice I need hardly add that I have rarely been so distressed .It is likely that the school will be closed unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught .I would urge anyone who thinks they might know anything about them to come forward .She climbed somewhat awkwardly out of the portrait hole and the Gryffindors began talking immediately .Thats two Gryffindors down not counting a Gryffindor ghost one Ravenclaw and one Hufflepuff said the Weasley twins friend Lee Jordan counting on his fingers .Havent any of the teachers noticed that the Slytherins are all safe ?Isnt it obvious all this stuffs coming from Slytherin ?The Heir of Slytherin the monster of Slytherin why dont they just chuck all the Slytherins out ?he roared to nods and scattered applause .Percy Weasley was sitting in a chair behind Lee but for once he didnt seem keen to make his views heard .He was looking pale and stunned .Percys in shock George told Harry quietly .That Ravenclaw girl Penelope Clearwater shes a prefect .I dont think he thought the monster would dare attack a prefect .But Harry was only halflistening .He didnt seem to be able to get rid of the picture of Hermione lying on the hospital bed as though carved out of stone .And if the culprit wasnt caught soon he was looking at a lifetime back with the Dursleys .Tom Riddle had turned Hagrid in because he was faced with the prospect of a Muggle orphanage if the school closed .Harry now knew exactly how he had felt .Whatre we going to do ?said Ron quietly in Harrys ear .Dyou think they suspect Hagrid ?Weve got to go and talk to him said Harry making up his mind .I cant believe its him this time but if he set the monster loose last time hell know how to get inside the Chamber of Secrets and thats a start .But McGonagall said weve got to stay in our tower unless were in class I think said Harry more quietly still its time to get my dads old cloak out again .Harry had inherited just one thing from his father a long and silvery Invisibility Cloak .It was their only chance of sneaking out of the school to visit Hagrid without anyone knowing about it .They went to bed at the usual time waited until Neville Dean and Seamus had stopped discussing the Chamber of Secrets and finally fallen asleep then got up dressed again and threw the cloak over themselves .The journey through the dark and deserted castle corridors wasnt enjoyable .Harry who had wandered the castle at night several times before had never seen it so crowded after sunset .Teachers prefects and ghosts were marching the corridors in pairs staring around for any unusual activity .Their Invisibility Cloak didnt stop them making any noise and there was a particularly tense moment when Ron stubbed his toe only yards from the spot where Snape stood standing guard .Thankfully Snape sneezed at almost exactly the moment Ron swore .It was with relief that they reached the oak front doors and eased them open .It was a clear starry night .They hurried toward the lit windows of Hagrid s house and pulled off the cloak only when they were right outside his front door .Seconds after they had knocked Hagrid flung it open .They found themselves facetoface with him aiming a crossbow at them .Fang the boarhound barked loudly behind him .Oh he said lowering the weapon and staring at them .What re you two doin here ?Whats that for ?said Harry pointing at the crossbow as they stepped inside .Nothin nothin Hagrid muttered .Ive bin expectin doesn matter Sit down Ill make tea He hardly seemed to know what he was doing .He nearly extinguished the fire spilling water from the kettle on it and then smashed the teapot with a nervous jerk of his massive hand .Are you okay Hagrid ?said Harry .Did you hear about Hermione ?Oh I heard all righ said Hagrid a slight break in his voice .He kept glancing nervously at the windows .He poured them both large mugs of boiling water he had forgotten to add tea bags and was just putting a slab of fruitcake on a plate when there was a loud knock on the door .Hagrid dropped the fruitcake .Harry and Ron exchanged panicstricken looks then threw the Invisibility Cloak back over themselves and retreated into a corner .Hagrid checked that they were hidden seized his crossbow and flung open his door once more .Good evening Hagrid .It was Dumbledore .He entered looking deadly serious and was followed by a second very odd looking man .The stranger had rumpled gray hair and an anxious expression and was wearing a strange mixture of clothes a pinstriped suit a scarlet tie a long black cloak and pointed purple boots .Under his arm he carried a limegreen bowler .Thats Dads boss !Ron breathed .Cornelius Fudge the Minister of Magic !Harry elbowed Ron hard to make him shut up .Hagrid had gone pale and sweaty .He dropped into one of his chairs and looked from Dumbledore to Cornelius Fudge .Bad business Hagrid said Fudge in rather clipped tones .Very bad business .Had to come .Four attacks on Muggleborns .Thingsve gone far enough .Ministrys got to act .I never said Hagrid looking imploringly at Dumbledore .You know I never Professor Dumbledore sir I want it understood Cornelius that Hagrid has my full confidence said Dumbledore frowning at Fudge .Look Albus said Fudge uncomfortably .Hagrids records against him .Ministrys got to do something the school governors have been in touch Yet again Cornelius I tell you that taking Hagrid away will not help in the slightest said Dumbledore .His blue eyes were full of a fire Harry had never seen before .Look at it from my point of view said Fudge fidgeting with his bowler .Im under a lot of pressure .Got to be seen to be doing something .If it turns out it wasnt Hagrid hell be back and no more said .But Ive got to take him .Got to .Wouldnt be doing my duty Take me ?said Hagrid who was trembling .Take me where ?For a short stretch only said Fudge not meeting Hagrid s eyes .Not a punishment Hagrid more a precaution .If someone else is caught youll be let out with a full apology Not Azkaban ?croaked Hagrid .Before Fudge could answer there was another loud rap on the door .Dumbledore answered it .It was Harrys turn for an elbow in the ribs hed let out an audible gasp .Mr Lucius Malfoy strode into Hagrids hut swathed in a long black traveling cloak smiling a cold and satisfied smile .Fang started to growl .Already here Fudge he said approvingly .Good good .Whatre you doin here ?said Hagrid furiously .Get outta my house !My dear man please believe me I have no pleasure at all in being inside your er dyou call this a house ?said Lucius Malfoy sneering as he looked around the small cabin .I simply called at the school and was told that the headmaster was here .And what exactly did you want with me Lucius ?said Dumbledore .He spoke politely but the fire was still blazing in his blue eyes .Dreadful thing Dumbledore said Malfoy lazily taking out a long roll of parchment but the governors feel its time for you to step aside .This is an Order of Suspension youll find all twelve signatures on it .Im afraid we feel youre losing your touch .How many attacks have there been now ?Two more this afternoon wasnt it ?At this rate therell be no Muggleborns left at Hogwarts and we all know what an awful loss that would be to the school .Oh now see here Lucius said Fudge looking alarmed Dumbledore suspended no no last thing we want just now The appointment or suspension of the headmaster is a matter for the governors Fudge said Mr Malfoy smoothly .And as Dumbledore has failed to stop these attacks See here Malfoy if Dumbledore cant stop them said Fudge whose upper lip was sweating now I mean to say who can ?That remains to be seen said Mr Malfoy with a nasty smile .But as all twelve of us have voted Hagrid leapt to his feet his shaggy black head grazing the ceiling .An how many did yeh have ter threaten an blackmail before they agreed Malfoy eh ?he roared .Dear dear you know that temper of yours will lead you into trouble one of these days Hagrid said Mr Malfoy .I would advise you not to shout at the Azkaban guards like that .They wont like it at all .Yeh can take Dumbledore !yelled Hagrid making Fang the boarhound cower and whimper in his basket .Take him away an the Muggleborns won stand a chance !Therell be killin next !Calm yourself Hagrid said Dumbledore sharply .He looked at Lucius Malfoy .If the governors want my removal Lucius I shall of course step aside But stuttered Fudge .iVo !growled Hagrid .Dumbledore had not taken his bright blue eyes off Lucius Malfoys cold gray ones .However said Dumbledore speaking very slowly and clearly so that none of them could miss a word you will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me .You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it .For a second Harry was almost sure Dumbledores eyes flickered toward the corner where he and Ron stood hidden .Admirable sentiments said Malfoy bowing .We shall all miss your er highly individual way of running things Albus and only hope that your successor will manage to prevent any ah killins .He strode to the cabin door opened it and bowed Dumbledore out .Fudge fiddling with his bowler waited for Hagrid to go ahead of him but Hagrid stood his ground took a deep breath and said carefully If anyone wanted ter find out some stuff all theyd have ter do would be ter follow the spiders .Thatd lead em right !Thats all Im sayin .Fudge stared at him in amazement .All right Im cornin said Hagrid pulling on his moleskin overcoat .But as he was about to follow Fudge through the door he stopped again and said loudly An someonell need ter feed Fang while Im away .The door banged shut and Ron pulled off the Invisibility Cloak .Were in trouble now he said hoarsely .No Dumbledore .They might as well close the school tonight .Therell be an attack a day with him gone .Fang started howling scratching at the closed door .ARAGOG Summer was creeping over the grounds around the castle sky and lake alike turned periwinkle blue and flowers large as cabbages burst into bloom in the greenhouses .But with no Hagrid visible from the castle windows striding the grounds with Fang at his heels the scene didnt look right to Harry no better in fact than the inside of the castle where things were so horribly wrong .Harry and Ron had tried to visit Hermione but visitors were now barred from the hospital wing .Were taking no more chances Madam Pomfrey told them severely through a crack in the infirmary door .No Im sorry theres every chance the attacker might come back to finish these people off .With Dumbledore gone fear had spread as never before so that the sun warming the castle walls outside seemed to stop at the mullioned windows .There was barely a face to be seen in the school that didnt look worried and tense and any laughter that rang through the corridors sounded shrill and unnatural and was quickly stifled .Harry constantly repeated Dumbledores final words to himself .I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me .Help will always be given at Hog warts to those who ask for it .But what good were these words ?Who exactly were they supposed to ask for help when everyone was just as confused and scared as they were ?Hagrids hint about the spiders was far easier to understand the trouble was there didnt seem to be a single spider left in the castle to follow .Harry looked everywhere he went helped rather reluctantly by Ron .They were hampered of course by the fact that they werent allowed to wander off on their own but had to move around the castle in a pack with the other Gryffindors .Most of their fellow students seemed glad that they were being shepherded from class to class by teachers but Harry found it very irksome .One person however seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere of terror and suspicion .Draco Malfoy was strutting around the school as though he had just been appointed Head Boy .Harry didnt realize what he was so pleased about until the Potions lesson about two weeks after Dumbledore and Hagrid had left when sitting right behind Malfoy Harry overheard him gloating to Crabbe and Goyle .I always thought Father might be the one who got rid of Dumbledore he said not troubling to keep his voice down .I told you he thinks Dumbledores the worst headmaster the schools ever had .Maybe well get a decent headmaster now .Someone who wont want the Chamber of Secrets closed .McGonagall wont last long shes only filling in .Snape swept past Harry making no comment about Hermiones empty seat and cauldron .Sir said Malfoy loudly .Sir why dont you apply for the headmasters job ?Now now Malfoy said Snape though he couldnt suppress a thinlipped smile .Professor Dumbledore has only been suspended by the governors .I daresay hell be back with us soon enough .Yeah right said Malfoy smirking .I expect youd have Fathers vote sir if you wanted to apply for the job Ill tell Father youre the best teacher here sir Snape smirked as he swept off around the dungeon fortunately not spotting Seamus Finnigan who was pretending to vomit into his cauldron .Im quite surprised the Mudbloods havent all packed their bags by now Malfoy went on .Bet you five Galleons the next one dies .Pity it wasnt Granger The bell rang at that moment which was lucky at Malfoys last words Ron had leapt off his stool and in the scramble to collect bags and books his attempts to reach Malfoy went unnoticed .Let me at him Ron growled as Harry and Dean hung onto his arms .I dont care I dont need my wand Im going to kill him with my bare hands Hurry up Ive got to take you all to Herbology barked Snape over the classs heads and off they marched with Harry Ron and Dean bringing up the rear Ron still trying to get loose .It was only safe to let go of him when Snape had seen them out of the castle and they were making their way across the vegetable patch toward the greenhouses .The Herbology class was very subdued there were now two missing from their number Justin and Hermione .Professor Sprout set them all to work pruning the Abyssinian Shrivelfigs .Harry went to tip an armful of withered stalks onto the compost heap and found himself facetoface with Ernie Macmillan .Ernie took a deep breath and said very formally I just want to say Harry that Im sorry I ever suspected you .I know youd never attack Hermione Granger and I apologize for all the stuff I said .Were all in the same boat now and well He held out a pudgy hand and Harry shook it .Ernie and his friend Hannah came to work at the same Shrivelfig as Harry and Ron .That Draco Malfoy character said Ernie breaking off dead twigs he seems very pleased about all this doesnt he ?Dyou know I think he might be Slytherins heir .Thats clever of you said Ron who didnt seem to have forgiven Ernie as readily as Harry .Do you think its Malfoy Harry ?Ernie asked .No said Harry so firmly that Ernie and Hannah stared .A second later Harry spotted something .Several large spiders were scuttling over the ground on the other side of the glass moving in an unnaturally straight line as though taking the shortest route to a prearranged meeting .Harry hit Ron over the hand with his pruning shears .Ouch What re you Harry pointed out the spiders following their progress with his eyes screwed up against the sun .Oh yeah said Ron trying and failing to look pleased .But we cant follow them now Ernie and Hannah were listening curiously .Harrys eyes narrowed as he focused on the spiders .If they pursued their fixed course there could be no doubt about where they would end up .Looks like theyre heading for the Forbidden Forest .And Ron looked even unhappier about that .At the end of the lesson Professor Sprout escorted the class to their Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson .Harry and Ron lagged behind the others so they could talk out of earshot .Well have to use the Invisibility Cloak again Harry told Ron .We can take Fang with us .Hes used to going into the forest with Hagrid he might be some help .Right said Ron who was twirling his wand nervously in his fingers .Er arent there arent there supposed to be werewolves in the forest ?he added as they took their usual places at the back of Lockharts classroom .Preferring not to answer that question Harry said There are good things in there too .The centaurs are all right and the unicorns .Ron had never been into the Forbidden Forest before .Harry had entered it only once and had hoped never to do so again .Lockhart bounded into the room and the class stared at him .Every other teacher in the place was looking grimmer than usual but Lockhart appeared nothing short of buoyant .Come now he cried beaming around him .Why all these long faces ?People swapped exasperated looks but nobody answered .Dont you people realize said Lockhart speaking slowly as though they were all a bit dim the danger has passed !The culprit has been taken away Says who ?said Dean Thomas loudly .My dear young man the Minister of Magic wouldnt have taken Hagrid if he hadnt been one hundred percent sure that he was guilty said Lockhart in the tone of someone explaining that one and one made two .Oh yes he would said Ron even more loudly than Dean .I flatter myself I know a touch more about Hagrid s arrest than you do Mr Weasley said Lockhart in a selfsatisfied tone .Ron started to say that he didnt think so somehow but stopped in midsentence when Harry kicked him hard under the desk .We werent there remember ?Harry muttered .But Lockharts disgusting cheeriness his hints that he had always thought Hagrid was no good his confidence that the whole business was now at an end irritated Harry so much that he yearned to throw Gadding with Ghouls right in Lockharts stupid face .Instead he contented himself with scrawling a note to Ron Lets do it tonight Ron read the message swallowed hard and looked sideways at the empty seat usually filled by Hermione .The sight seemed to stiffen his resolve and he nodded .The Gryffindor common room was always very crowded these days because from six oclock onward the Gryffindors had nowhere else to go .They also had plenty to talk about with the result that the common room often didnt empty until past midnight .Harry went to get the Invisibility Cloak out of his trunk right after dinner and spent the evening sitting on it waiting for the room to clear .Fred and George challenged Harry and Ron to a few games of Exploding Snap and Ginny sat watching them very subdued in Hermione s usual chair .Harry and Ron kept losing on purpose trying to finish the games quickly but even so it was well past midnight when Fred George and Ginny finally went to bed .Harry and Ron waited for the distant sounds of two dormitory doors closing before seizing the cloak throwing it over themselves and climbing through the portrait hole .It was another difficult journey through the castle dodging all the teachers .At last they reached the entrance hall slid back the lock on the oak front doors squeezed between them trying to stop any creaking and stepped out into the moonlit grounds .Course said Ron abruptly as they strode across the black grass we might get to the forest and find theres nothing to follow .Those spiders might notve been going there at all .I know it looked like they were moving in that sort of general direction but .His voice trailed away hopefully .They reached Hagrids house sad and sorrylooking with its blank windows .When Harry pushed the door open Fang went mad with joy at the sight of them .Worried he might wake everyone at the castle with his deep booming barks they hastily fed him treacle toffee from a tin on the mantelpiece which glued his teeth together .Harry left the Invisibility Cloak on Hagrids table .There would be no need for it in the pitchdark forest .Cmon Fang were going for a walk said Harry patting his leg and Fang bounded happily out of the house behind them dashed to the edge of the forest and lifted his leg against a large sycamore tree .Harry took out his wand murmured Lumos and a tiny light appeared at the end of it just enough to let them watch the path for signs of spiders .Good thinking said Ron .Id light mine too but you know itd probably blow up or something .Harry tapped Ron on the shoulder pointing at the grass .Two solitary spiders were hurrying away from the wandlight into the shade of the trees .Okay Ron sighed as though resigned to the worst Im ready .Lets go .So with Fang scampering around them sniffing tree roots and leaves they entered the forest .By the glow of Harrys wand they followed the steady trickle of spiders moving along the path .They walked behind them for about twenty minutes not speaking listening hard for noises other than breaking twigs and rustling leaves .Then when the trees had become thicker than ever so that the stars overhead were no longer visible and Harrys wand shone alone in the sea of dark they saw their spider guides leaving the path .Harry paused trying to see where the spiders were going but everything outside his little sphere of light was pitchblack .He had never been this deep into the forest before .He could vividly remember Hagrid advising him not to leave the forest path last time hed been in here .But Hagrid was miles away now probably sitting in a cell in Azkaban and he had also said to follow the spiders .Something wet touched Harrys hand and he jumped backward crushing Rons foot but it was only Fangs nose .What dyou reckon ?Harry said to Ron whose eyes he could just make out reflecting the light from his wand .Weve come this far said Ron .So they followed the darting shadows of the spiders into the trees .They couldnt move very quickly now there were tree roots and stumps in their way barely visible in the near blackness .Harry could feel Fangs hot breath on his hand .More than once they had to stop so that Harry could crouch down and find the spiders in the wandlight .They walked for what seemed like at least half an hour their robes snagging on lowslung branches and brambles .After a while they noticed that the ground seemed to be sloping downward though the trees were as thick as ever .Then Fang suddenly let loose a great echoing bark making both Harry and Ron jump out of their skins .What ?said Ron loudly looking around into the pitchdark and gripping Harrys elbow very hard .Theres something moving over there Harry breathed .Listen .sounds like something big .They listened .Some distance to their right the something big was snapping branches as it carved a path through the trees .Oh no said Ron .Oh no oh no oh Shut up said Harry frantically .Itll hear you .Hear me ?said Ron in an unnaturally high voice .Its already heard Fang !The darkness seemed to be pressing on their eyeballs as they stood terrified waiting .There was a strange rumbling noise and then silence .What dyou think its doing ?said Harry .Probably getting ready to pounce said Ron .They waited shivering hardly daring to move .Dyou think its gone ?Harry whispered .Dunno Then to their right came a sudden blaze of light so bright in the darkness that both of them flung up their hands to shield their eyes .Fang yelped and tried to run but got lodged in a tangle of thorns and yelped even louder .Harry !Ron shouted his voice breaking with relief .Harry its our car !What ?Come on !Harry blundered after Ron toward the light stumbling and tripping and a moment later they had emerged into a clearing .Mr Weasleys car was standing empty in the middle of a circle of thick trees under a roof of dense branches its headlights ablaze .As Ron walked openmouthed toward it it moved slowly toward him exactly like a large turquoise dog greeting its owner .Its been here all the time !said Ron delightedly walking around the car .Look at it .The forests turned it wild .The sides of the car were scratched and smeared with mud .Apparently it had taken to trundling around the forest on its own .Fang didnt seem at all keen on it he kept close to Harry who could feel him quivering .His breathing slowing down again Harry stuffed his wand back into his robes .And we thought it was going to attack us !said Ron leaning against the car and patting it .I wondered where it had gone !Harry squinted around on the floodlit ground for signs of more spiders but they had all scuttled away from the glare of the headlights .Weve lost the trail he said .Cmon lets go and find them .Ron didnt speak .He didnt move .His eyes were fixed on a point some ten feet above the forest floor right behind Harry .His face was livid with terror .Harry didnt even have time to turn around .There was a loud clicking noise and suddenly he felt something long and hairy seize him around the middle and lift him off the ground so that he was hanging facedown .Struggling terrified he heard more clicking and saw Rons legs leave the ground too heard Fang whimpering and howling next moment he was being swept away into the dark trees .Head hanging Harry saw that what had hold of him was marching on six immensely long hairy legs the front two clutching him tightly below a pair of shining black pincers .Behind him he could hear another of the creatures no doubt carrying Ron .They were moving into the very heart of the forest .Harry could hear Fang fighting to free himself from a third monster whining loudly but Harry couldnt have yelled even if he had wanted to he seemed to have left his voice back with the car in the clearing .He never knew how long he was in the creatures clutches he only knew that the darkness suddenly lifted enough for him to see that the leafstrewn ground was now swarming with spiders .Craning his neck sideways he realized that they had reached the ridge of a vast hollow a hollow that had been cleared of trees so that the stars shone brightly onto the worst scene he had ever laid eyes on .Spiders .Not tiny spiders like those surging over the leaves below .Spiders the size of carthorses eight eyed eightlegged black hairy gigantic .The massive specimen that was carrying Harry made its way down the steep slope toward a misty domed web in the very center of the hollow while its fellows closed in all around it clicking their pincers excitedly at the sight of its load .Harry fell to the ground on all fours as the spider released him .Ron and Fang thudded down next to him .Fang wasnt howling anymore but cowering silently on the spot .Ron looked exactly like Harry felt .His mouth was stretched wide in a kind of silent scream and his eyes were popping .Harry suddenly realized that the spider that had dropped him was saying something .It had been hard to tell because he clicked his pincers with every word he spoke .Aragog !it called .Aragog !And from the middle of the misty domed web a spider the size of a small elephant emerged very slowly .There was gray in the black of his body and legs and each of the eyes on his ugly pincered head was milky white .He was blind .What is it ?he said clicking his pincers rapidly .Men clicked the spider who had caught Harry .Is it Hagrid ?said Aragog moving closer his eight milky eyes wandering vaguely .Strangers clicked the spider who had brought Ron .Kill them clicked Aragog fretfully .I was sleeping .Were friends of Hagrid s Harry shouted .His heart seemed to have left his chest to pound in his throat .Click click click went the pincers of the spiders all around the hollow .Aragog paused .Hagrid has never sent men into our hollow before he said slowly .Hagrids in trouble said Harry breathing very fast .Thats why weve come .In trouble ?said the aged spider and Harry thought he heard concern beneath the clicking pincers .But why has he sent you ?Harry thought of getting to his feet but decided against it he didnt think his legs would support him .So he spoke from the ground as calmly as he could .They think up at the school that Hagrids been setting a a something on students .Theyve taken him to Azkaban .Aragog clicked his pincers furiously and all around the hollow the sound was echoed by the crowd of spiders it was like applause except applause didnt usually make Harry feel sick with fear .But that was years ago said Aragog fretfully .Years and years ago .I remember it well .Thats why they made him leave the school .They believed that I was the monster that dwells in what they call the Chamber of Secrets .They thought that Hagrid had opened the Chamber and set me free .And you .you didnt come from the Chamber of Secrets ?said Harry who could feel cold sweat on his forehead .I !said Aragog clicking angrily .I was not born in the castle .I come from a distant land .A traveler gave me to Hagrid when I was an egg .Hagrid was only a boy but he cared for me hidden in a cupboard in the castle feeding me on scraps from the table .Hagrid is my good friend and a good man .When I was discovered and blamed for the death of a girl he protected me .I have lived here in the forest ever since where Hagrid still visits me .He even found me a wife Mosag and you see how our family has grown all through Hagrid s goodness .Harry summoned what remained of his courage .So you never never attacked anyone ?Never croaked the old spider .It would have been my instinct but out of respect for Hagrid I never harmed a human .The body of the girl who was killed was discovered in a bathroom .I never saw any part of the castle but the cupboard in which I grew up .Our kind like the dark and the quiet .But then .Do you know what did kill that girl ?said Harry .Because whatever it is its back and attacking people again His words were drowned by a loud outbreak of clicking and the rustling of many long legs shifting angrily large black shapes shifted all around him .The thing that lives in the castle said Aragog is an ancient creature we spiders fear above all others .Well do I remember how I pleaded with Hagrid to let me go when I sensed the beast moving about the school .What is it ?said Harry urgently .More loud clicking more rustling the spiders seemed to be closing in .We do not speak of it !said Aragog fiercely .We do not name it !I never even told Hagrid the name of that dread creature though he asked me many times .Harry didnt want to press the subject not with the spiders pressing closer on all sides .Aragog seemed to be tired of talking .He was backing slowly into his domed web but his fellow spiders continued to inch slowly toward Harry and Ron .Well just go then Harry called desperately to Aragog hearing leaves rustling behind him .Go ?said Aragog slowly .I think not .But but My sons and daughters do not harm Hagrid on my command .But I cannot deny them fresh meat when it wanders so willingly into our midst .Goodbye friend of Hagrid .Harry spun around .Feet away towering above him was a solid wall of spiders clicking their many eyes gleaming in their ugly black heads .Even as he reached for his wand Harry knew it was no good there were too many of them but as he tried to stand ready to die fighting a loud long note sounded and a blaze of light flamed through the hollow .Mr Weasleys car was thundering down the slope headlights glaring its horn screeching knocking spiders aside several were thrown onto their backs their endless legs waving in the air .The car screeched to a halt in front of Harry and Ron and the doors flew open .Get Fang !Harry yelled diving into the front seat Ron seized the boarhound around the middle and threw him yelping into the back of the car the doors slammed shut Ron didnt touch the accelerator but the car didnt need him the engine roared and they were off hitting more spiders .They sped up the slope out of the hollow and they were soon crashing through the forest branches whipping the windows as the car wound its way cleverly through the widest gaps following a path it obviously knew .Harry looked sideways at Ron .His mouth was still open in the silent scream but his eyes werent popping anymore .Are you okay ?Ron stared straight ahead unable to speak .They smashed their way through the undergrowth Fang howling loudly in the back seat and Harry saw the side mirror snap off as they squeezed past a large oak .After ten noisy rocky minutes the trees thinned and Harry could again see patches of sky .The car stopped so suddenly that they were nearly thrown into the windshield .They had reached the edge of the forest .Fang flung himself at the window in his anxiety to get out and when Harry opened the door he shot off through the trees to Hagrids house tail between his legs .Harry got out too and after a minute or so Ron seemed to regain the feeling in his limbs and followed still stiffnecked and staring .Harry gave the car a grateful pat as it reversed back into the forest and disappeared from view .Harry went back into Hagrids cabin to get the Invisibility Cloak .Fang was trembling under a blanket in his basket .When Harry got outside again he found Ron being violently sick in the pumpkin patch .Follow the spiders said Ron weakly wiping his mouth on his sleeve .Ill never forgive Hagrid .Were lucky to be alive .I bet he thought Aragog wouldnt hurt friends of his said Harry .Thats exactly Hagrids problem !said Ron thumping the wall of the cabin .He always thinks monsters arent as bad as theyre made out and look where its got him !A cell in Azkaban !He was shivering uncontrollably now .What was the point of sending us in there ?What have we found out Id like to know ?That Hagrid never opened the Chamber of Secrets said Harry throwing the cloak over Ron and prodding him in the arm to make him walk .He was innocent .Ron gave a loud snort .Evidently hatching Aragog in a cupboard wasnt his idea of being innocent .As the castle loomed nearer Harry twitched the cloak to make sure their feet were hidden then pushed the creaking front doors ajar .They walked carefully back across the entrance hall and up the marble staircase holding their breath as they passed corridors where watchful sentries were walking .At last they reached the safety of the Gryffindor common room where the fire had burned itself into glowing ash .They took off the cloak and climbed the winding stair to their dormitory .Ron fell onto his bed without bothering to get undressed .Harry however didnt feel very sleepy .He sat on the edge of his fourposter thinking hard about everything Aragog had said .The creature that was lurking somewhere in the castle he thought sounded like a sort of monster Voldemort even other monsters didnt want to name it .But he and Ron were no closer to finding out what it was or how it Petrified its victims .Even Hagrid had never known what was in the Chamber of Secrets .Harry swung his legs up onto his bed and leaned back against his pillows watching the moon glinting at him through the tower window .He couldnt see what else they could do .They had hit dead ends everywhere .Riddle had caught the wrong person the Heir of Slytherin had got off and no one could tell whether it was the same person or a different one who had opened the Chamber this time .There was nobody else to ask .Harry lay down still thinking about what Aragog had said .He was becoming drowsy when what seemed like their very last hope occurred to him and he suddenly sat bolt upright .Ron he hissed through the dark Ron Ron woke with a yelp like Fangs stared wildly around and saw Harry .Ron that girl who died .Aragog said she was found in a bathroom said Harry ignoring Nevilles snuffling snores from the corner .What if she never left the bathroom ?What if shes still there ?Ron rubbed his eyes frowning through the moonlight .And then he understood too .You dont think not Moaning Myrtle ?THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS All those times we were in that bathroom and she was just three toilets away said Ron bitterly at breakfast next day and we couldve asked her and now .It had been hard enough trying to look for spiders .Escaping their teachers long enough to sneak into a girls bathroom the girls bathroom moreover right next to the scene of the first attack was going to be almost impossible .But something happened in their first lesson Transfiguration that drove the Chamber of Secrets out of their minds for the first time in weeks .Ten minutes into the class Professor McGonagall told them that their exams would start on the first of June one week from today .Exams ?howled Seamus Finnigan .Were still getting exams ?There was a loud bang behind Harry as Neville Longbottoms wand slipped vanishing one of the legs on his desk .Professor McGonagall restored it with a wave of her own wand and turned frowning to Seamus .The whole point of keeping the school open at this time is for you to receive your education she said sternly .The exams will therefore take place as usual and I trust you are all studying hard .Studying hard !It had never occurred to Harry that there would be exams with the castle in this state .There was a great deal of mutinous muttering around the room which made Professor McGonagall scowl even more darkly .Professor Dumbledores instructions were to keep the school running as normally as possible she said .And that I need hardly point out means finding out how much you have learned this year .Harry looked down at the pair of white rabbits he was supposed to be turning into slippers .What had he learned so far this year ?He couldnt seem to think of anything that would be useful in an exam .Ron looked as though hed just been told he had to go and live in the Forbidden Forest .Can you imagine me taking exams with this ?he asked Harry holding up his wand which had just started whistling loudly .Three days before their first exam Professor McGonagall made another announcement at breakfast .I have good news she said and the Great Hall instead of falling silent erupted .Dumbledores coming back !several people yelled joyfully .Youve caught the Heir of Slytherin !squealed a girl at the Ravenclaw table .Quidditch matches are back on !roared Wood excitedly .When the hubbub had subsided Professor McGonagall said Professor Sprout has informed me that the Mandrakes are ready for cutting at last .Tonight we will be able to revive those people who have been Petrified .I need hardly remind you all that one of them may well be able to tell us who or what attacked them .I am hopeful that this dreadful year will end with our catching the culprit .There was an explosion of cheering .Harry looked over at the Slytherin table and wasnt at all surprised to see that Draco Malfoy hadnt joined in .Ron however was looking happier than hed looked in days .It wont matter that we never asked Myrtle then !he said to Harry .Hermionell probably have all the answers when they wake her up !Mind you shell go crazy when she finds out weve got exams in three days time .She hasnt studied .It might be kinder to leave her where she is till theyre over .Just then Ginny Weasley came over and sat down next to Ron .She looked tense and nervous and Harry noticed that her hands were twisting in her lap .Whats up ?said Ron helping himself to more porridge .Ginny didnt say anything but glanced up and down the Gryffindor table with a scared look on her face that reminded Harry of someone though he couldnt think who .Spit it out said Ron watching her .Harry suddenly realized who Ginny looked like .She was rocking backward and forward slightly in her chair exactly like Dobby did when he was teetering on the edge of revealing forbidden information .Ive got to tell you something Ginny mumbled carefully not looking at Harry .What is it ?said Harry .Ginny looked as though she couldnt find the right words .What ?said Ron .Ginny opened her mouth but no sound came out .Harry leaned forward and spoke quietly so that only Ginny and Ron could hear him .Is it something about the Chamber of Secrets ?Have you seen something ?Someone acting oddly ?Ginny drew a deep breath and at that precise moment Percy Weasley appeared looking tired and wan .If youve finished eating Ill take that seat Ginny .Im starving Ive only just come off patrol duty .Ginny jumped up as though her chair had just been electrified gave Percy a fleeting frightened look and scampered away .Percy sat down and grabbed a mug from the center of the table .Percy !said Ron angrily .She was just about to tell us something important !Halfway through a gulp of tea Percy choked .What sort of thing ?he said coughing .I just asked her if shed seen anything odd and she started to say Oh that thats nothing to do with the Chamber of Secrets said Percy at once .How do you know ?said Ron his eyebrows raised .Well er if you must know Ginny er walked in on me the other day when I was well never mind the point is she spotted me doing something and I um I asked her not to mention it to anybody .I must say I did think shed keep her word .Its nothing really Id just rather Harry had never seen Percy look so uncomfortable .What were you doing Percy ?said Ron grinning .Go on tell us we wont laugh .Percy didnt smile back .Pass me those rolls Harry Im starving .Harry knew the whole mystery might be solved tomorrow without their help but he wasnt about to pass up a chance to speak to Myrtle if it turned up and to his delight it did midmorning when they were being led to History of Magic by Gilderoy Lockhart .Lockhart who had so often assured them that all danger had passed only to be proved wrong right away was now wholeheartedly convinced that it was hardly worth the trouble to see them safely down the corridors .His hair wasnt as sleek as usual it seemed he had been up most of the night patrolling the fourth floor .Mark my words he said ushering them around a corner .The first words out of those poor Petrified peoples mouths will be ‘It was Hagrid .Frankly Im astounded Professor McGonagall thinks all these security measures are necessary .I agree sir said Harry making Ron drop his books in surprise .Thank you Harry said Lockhart graciously while they waited for a long line of Hufflepuffs to pass .I mean we teachers have quite enough to be getting on with without walking students to classes and standing guard all night .Thats right said Ron catching on .Why dont you leave us here sir weve only got one more corridor to go You know Weasley I think I will said Lockhart .I really should go and prepare my next class And he hurried off .Prepare his class Ron sneered after him .Gone to curl his hair more like .They let the rest of the Gryffindors draw ahead of them then darted down a side passage and hurried off toward Moaning Myrtles bathroom .But just as they were congratulating each other on their brilliant scheme Potter !Weasley !What are you doing ?It was Professor McGonagall and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines .We were we were Ron stammered .We were going to to go and see Hermione said Harry .Ron and Professor McGonagall both looked at him .We havent seen her for ages Professor Harry went on hurriedly treading on Rons foot and we thought wed sneak into the hospital wing you know and tell her the Mandrakes are nearly ready and er not to worry Professor McGonagall was still staring at him and for a moment Harry thought she was going to explode but when she spoke it was in a strangely croaky voice .Of course she said and Harry amazed saw a tear glistening in her beady eye .Of course I realize this has all been hardest on the friends of those who have been .I quite understand .Yes Potter of course you may visit Miss Granger .I will inform Professor Binns where youve gone .Tell Madam Pomfrey I have given my permission .Harry and Ron walked away hardly daring to believe that theyd avoided detention .As they turned the corner they distinctly heard Professor McGonagall blow her nose .That said Ron fervently was the best story youve ever come up with .They had no choice now but to go to the hospital wing and tell Madam Pomfrey that they had Professor McGonagalls permission to visit Hermione .Madam Pomfrey let them in but reluctantly .Theres just no point talking to a Petrified person she said and they had to admit she had a point when theyd taken their seats next to Hermione .It was plain that Hermione didnt have the faintest inkling that she had visitors and that they might just as well tell her bedside cabinet not to worry for all the good it would do .Wonder if she did see the attacker though ?said Ron looking sadly at Hermione s rigid face .Because if he sneaked up on them all no onell ever know .But Harry wasnt looking at Hermiones face .He was more interested in her right hand .It lay clenched on top of her blankets and bending closer he saw that a piece of paper was scrunched inside her fist .Making sure that Madam Pomfrey was nowhere near he pointed this out to Ron .Try and get it out Ron whispered shifting his chair so that he blocked Harry from Madam Pomfreys view .It was no easy task .Hermiones hand was clamped so tightly around the paper that Harry was sure he was going to tear it .While Ron kept watch he tugged and twisted and at last after several tense minutes the paper came free .It was a page torn from a very old library book .Harry smoothed it out eagerly and Ron leaned close to read it too .Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk known also as the King of Serpents .This snake which may reach gigantic size and live many hundreds of years is born from a chickens egg hatched beneath a toad .Its methods of killing are most wondrous for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs the Basilisk has a murderous stare and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death .Spiders flee before the Basilisk for it is their mortal enemy and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster which is fatal to it .And beneath this a single word had been written in a hand Harry recognized as Hermiones .Pipes .It was as though somebody had just flicked a light on in his brain .Ron he breathed .This is it .This is the answer .The monster in the Chambers a basilisk a giant serpent !Thats why Ive been hearing that voice all over the place and nobody else has heard it .Its because I understand Parseltongue .Harry looked up at the beds around him .The basilisk kills people by looking at them .But no ones died because no one looked it straight in the eye .Colin saw it through his camera .The basilisk burned up all the film inside it but Colin just got Petrified .Justin .Justin mustve seen the basilisk through Nearly Headless Nick !Nick got the full blast of it but he couldnt die again .and Hermione and that Ravenclaw prefect were found with a mirror next to them .Hermione had just realized the monster was a basilisk .I bet you anything she warned the first person she met to look around corners with a mirror first !And that girl pulled out her mirror and Rons jaw had dropped .And Mrs Norris ?he whispered eagerly .Harry thought hard picturing the scene on the night of Halloween .The water .he said slowly .The flood from Moaning Myrtles bathroom .I bet you Mrs Norris only saw the reflection .He scanned the page in his hand eagerly .The more he looked at it the more it made sense . .The crowing of the rooster .is fatal to if !he read aloud .Hagrids roosters were killed !The Heir of Slytherin didnt want one anywhere near the castle once the Chamber was opened !Spiders flee before it It all fits !But hows the basilisk been getting around the place ?said Ron .A giant snake .Someone wouldve seen .Harry however pointed at the word Hermione had scribbled at the foot of the page .Pipes he said .Pipes .Ron its been using the plumbing .Ive been hearing that voice inside the walls .Ron suddenly grabbed Harrys arm .The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets !he said hoarsely .What if its a bathroom ?What if its in Moaning Myrtles bathroom said Harry .They sat there excitement coursing through them hardly able to believe it .This means said Harry I cant be the only Parselmouth in the school .The Heir of Slytherins one too .Thats how hes been controlling the basilisk .Whatre we going to do ?said Ron whose eyes were flashing .Should we go straight to McGonagall ?Lets go to the staffroom said Harry jumping up .Shell be there in ten minutes .Its nearly break .They ran downstairs .Not wanting to be discovered hanging around in another corridor they went straight into the deserted staffroom .It was a large paneled room full of dark wooden chairs .Harry and Ron paced around it too excited to sit down .But the bell to signal break never came .Instead echoing through the corridors came Professor McGonagalls voice magically magnified .All students to return to their House dormitories at once .All teachers return to the staffroom .Immediately please .Harry wheeled around to stare at Ron .Not another attack ?Not now ?Whatll we do ?said Ron aghast .Go back to the dormitory ?No said Harry glancing around .There was an ugly sort of wardrobe to his left full of the teachers cloaks .In here .Lets hear what its all about .Then we can tell them what weve found out .They hid themselves inside it listening to the rumbling of hundreds of people moving overhead and the staffroom door banging open .From between the musty folds of the cloaks they watched the teachers filtering into the room .Some of them were looking puzzled others downright scared .Then Professor McGonagall arrived .It has happened she told the silent staffroom .A student has been taken by the monster .Right into the Chamber itself .Professor Flitwick let out a squeal .Professor Sprout clapped her hands over her mouth .Snape gripped the back of a chair very hard and said How can you be sure ?The Heir of Slytherin said Professor McGonagall who was very white left another message .Right underneath the first one . ‘Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever .Professor Flitwick burst into tears .Who is it ?said Madam Hooch who had sunk weak kneed into a chair .Which student ?Ginny Weasley said Professor McGonagall .Harry felt Ron slide silently down onto the wardrobe floor beside him .We shall have to send all the students home tomorrow said Professor McGonagall .This is the end of Hogwarts .Dumbledore always said .The staffroom door banged open again .For one wild moment Harry was sure it would be Dumbledore .But it was Lockhart and he was beaming .So sorry dozed off what have I missed ?He didnt seem to notice that the other teachers were looking at him with something remarkably like hatred .Snape stepped forward .Just the man he said .The very man .A girl has been snatched by the monster Lockhart .Taken into the Chamber of Secrets itself .Your moment has come at last .Lockhart blanched .Thats right Gilderoy chipped in Professor Sprout .Werent you saying just last night that youve known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is ?I well I sputtered Lockhart .Yes didnt you tell me you were sure you knew what was inside it ?piped up Professor Flitwick .Ddid I ?I dont recall I certainly remember you saying you were sorry you hadnt had a crack at the monster before Hagrid was arrested said Snape .Didnt you say that the whole affair had been bungled and that you should have been given a free rein from the first ?Lockhart stared around at his stonyfaced colleagues .I I really never you may have misunderstood Well leave it to you then Gilderoy said Professor McGonagall .Tonight will be an excellent time to do it .Well make sure everyones out of your way .Youll be able to tackle the monster all by yourself .A free rein at last .Lockhart gazed desperately around him but nobody came to the rescue .He didnt look remotely handsome anymore .His lip was trembling and in the absence of his usually toothy grin he looked weakchinned and feeble .Vvery well he said .Ill Ill be in my office getting getting ready .And he left the room .Right said Professor McGonagall whose nostrils were flared thats got him out from under our feet .The Heads of Houses should go and inform their students what has happened .Tell them the Hogwarts Express will take them home first thing tomorrow .Will the rest of you please make sure no students have been left outside their dormitories .The teachers rose and left one by one .It was probably the worst day of Harrys entire life .He Ron Fred and George sat together in a corner of the Gryffindor common room unable to say anything to each other .Percy wasnt there .He had gone to send an owl to Mr and Mrs Weasley then shut himself up in his dormitory .No afternoon ever lasted as long as that one nor had Gryffindor Tower ever been so crowded yet so quiet .Near sunset Fred and George went up to bed unable to sit there any longer .She knew something Harry said Ron speaking for the first time since they had entered the wardrobe in the staffroom .Thats why she was taken .It wasnt some stupid thing about Percy at all .Shed found out something about the Chamber of Secrets .That must be why she was Ron rubbed his eyes frantically .I mean she was a pureblood .There cant be any other reason .Harry could see the sun sinking bloodred below the skyline .This was the worst he had ever felt .If only there was something they could do .Anything .Harry said Ron .Dyou think theres any chance at all shes not you know Harry didnt know what to say .He couldnt see how Ginny could still be alive .Dyou know what ?said Ron .I think we should go and see Lockhart .Tell him what we know .Hes going to try and get into the Chamber .We can tell him where we think it is and tell him its a basilisk in there .Because Harry couldnt think of anything else to do and because he wanted to be doing something he agreed .The Gryffindors around them were so miserable and felt so sorry for the Weasleys that nobody tried to stop them as they got up crossed the room and left through the portrait hole .Darkness was falling as they walked down to Lockharts office .There seemed to be a lot of activity going on inside it .They could hear scraping thumps and hurried footsteps .Harry knocked and there was a sudden silence from inside .Then the door opened the tiniest crack and they saw one of Lockharts eyes peering through it .Oh Mr Potter Mr Weasley he said opening the door a bit wider .Im rather busy at the moment if you would be quick Professor weve got some information for you said Harry .We think itll help you .Er well its not terribly The side of Lockharts face that they could see looked very uncomfortable .I mean well all right He opened the door and they entered .His office had been almost completely stripped .Two large trunks stood open on the floor .Robes jade green lilac midnightblue had been hastily folded into one of them books were jumbled untidily into the other .The photographs that had covered the walls were now crammed into boxes on the desk .Are you going somewhere ?said Harry .Er well yes said Lockhart ripping a lifesize poster of himself from the back of the door as he spoke and starting to roll it up .Urgent call unavoidable got to go What about my sister ?said Ron jerkily .Well as to that most unfortunate said Lockhart avoiding their eyes as he wrenched open a drawer and started emptying the contents into a bag .No one regrets more than I Youre the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher !said Harry .You cant go now !Not with all the Dark stuff going on here !Well I must say when I took the job Lockhart muttered now piling socks on top of his robes nothing in the job description didnt expect You mean youre running away ?said Harry disbelievingly .After all that stuff you did in your books Books can be misleading said Lockhart delicately .You wrote them !Harry shouted .My dear boy said Lockhart straightening up and frowning at Harry .Do use your common sense .My books wouldnt have sold half as well if people didnt think Id done all those things .No one wants to read about some ugly old Armenian warlock even if he did save a village from werewolves .Hed look dreadful on the front cover .No dress sense at all .And the witch who banished the Bandon Banshee had a hairy chin .I mean come on So youve just been taking credit for what a load of other people have done ?said Harry incredulously .Harry Harry said Lockhart shaking his head impatiently its not nearly as simple as that .There was work involved .I had to track these people down .Ask them exactly how they managed to do what they did .Then I had to put a Memory Charm on them so they wouldnt remember doing it .If theres one thing I pride myself on its my Memory Charms .No its been a lot of work Harry .Its not all book signings and publicity photos you know .You want fame you have to be prepared for a long hard slog .He banged the lids of his trunks shut and locked them .Lets see he said .I think thats everything .Yes .Only one thing left .He pulled out his wand and turned to them .Awfully sorry boys but Ill have to put a Memory Charm on you now .Cant have you blabbing my secrets all over the place .Id never sell another book Harry reached his wand just in time .Lockhart had barely raised his when Harry bellowed Expelliarmus Lockhart was blasted backward falling over his trunk his wand flew high into the air Ron caught it and flung it out of the open window .Shouldnt have let Professor Snape teach us that one said Harry furiously kicking Lockharts trunk aside .Lockhart was looking up at him feeble once more .Harry was still pointing his wand at him .What dyou want me to do ?said Lockhart weakly .I dont know where the Chamber of Secrets is .Theres nothing I can do .Youre in luck said Harry forcing Lockhart to his feet at wandpoint .We think we know where it is .And whats inside it .Lets go .They marched Lockhart out of his office and down the nearest stairs along the dark corridor where the messages shone on the wall to the door of Moaning Myrtles bathroom .They sent Lockhart in first .Harry was pleased to see that he was shaking .Moaning Myrtle was sitting on the tank of the end toilet .Oh its you she said when she saw Harry .What do you want this time ?To ask you how you died said Harry .Myrtles whole aspect changed at once .She looked as though she had never been asked such a flattering question .Ooooh it was dreadful she said with relish .It happened right in here .I died in this very stall .I remember it so well .Id hidden because Olive Hornby was teasing me about my glasses .The door was locked and I was crying and then I heard somebody come in .They said something funny .A different language I think it must have been .Anyway what really got me was that it was a boy speaking .So I unlocked the door to tell him to go and use his own toilet and then Myrtle swelled importantly her face shining .I died .How ?said Harry .No idea said Myrtle in hushed tones .I just remember seeing a pair of great big yellow eyes .My whole body sort of seized up and then I was floating away .She looked dreamily at Harry .And then I came back again .I was determined to haunt Olive Hornby you see .Oh she was sorry shed ever laughed at my glasses .Where exactly did you see the eyes ?said Harry .Somewhere there said Myrtle pointing vaguely toward the sink in front of her toilet .Harry and Ron hurried over to it .Lockhart was standing well back a look of utter terror on his face .It looked like an ordinary sink .They examined every inch of it inside and out including the pipes below .And then Harry saw it Scratched on the side of one of the copper taps was a tiny snake .That taps never worked said Myrtle brightly as he tried to turn it .Harry said Ron .Say something .Something in Parseltongue .But Harry thought hard .The only times hed ever managed to speak Parseltongue were when hed been faced with a real snake .He stared hard at the tiny engraving trying to imagine it was real .Open up he said .He looked at Ron who shook his head .English he said .Harry looked back at the snake willing himself to believe it was alive .If he moved his head the candlelight made it look as though it were moving .Open up he said .Except that the words werent what he heard a strange hissing had escaped him and at once the tap glowed with a brilliant white light and began to spin .Next second the sink began to move the sink in fact sank right out of sight leaving a large pipe exposed a pipe wide enough for a man to slide into .Harry heard Ron gasp and looked up again .He had made up his mind what he was going to do .Im going down there he said .He couldnt not go not now they had found the entrance to the Chamber not if there was even the faintest slimmest wildest chance that Ginny might be alive .Me too said Ron .There was a pause .Well you hardly seem to need me said Lockhart with a shadow of his old smile .Ill just He put his hand on the door knob but Ron and Harry both pointed their wands at him .You can go first Ron snarled .Whitefaced and wandless Lockhart approached the opening .Boys he said his voice feeble .Boys what good will it do ?Harry jabbed him in the back with his wand .Lockhart slid his legs into the pipe .I really dont think he started to say but Ron gave him a push and he slid out of sight .Harry followed quickly .He lowered himself slowly into the pipe then let go .It was like rushing down an endless slimy dark slide .He could see more pipes branching off in all directions but none as large as theirs which twisted and turned sloping steeply downward and he knew that he was falling deeper below the school than even the dungeons .Behind him he could hear Ron thudding slightly at the curves .And then just as he had begun to worry about what would happen when he hit the ground the pipe leveled out and he shot out of the end with a wet thud landing on the damp floor of a dark stone tunnel large enough to stand in .Lockhart was getting to his feet a little ways away covered in slime and white as a ghost .Harry stood aside as Ron came whizzing out of the pipe too .We must be miles under the school said Harry his voice echoing in the black tunnel .Under the lake probably said Ron squinting around at the dark slimy walls .All three of them turned to stare into the darkness ahead .Lumosl Harry muttered to his wand and it lit again .Cmon he said to Ron and Lockhart and off they went their footsteps slapping loudly on the wet floor .The tunnel was so dark that they could only see a little distance ahead .Their shadows on the wet walls looked monstrous in the wandlight .Remember Harry said quietly as they walked cautiously forward any sign of movement close your eyes right away .But the tunnel was quiet as the grave and the first unexpected sound they heard was a loud crunch as Ron stepped on what turned out to be a rats skull .Harry lowered his wand to look at the floor and saw that it was littered with small animal bones .Trying very hard not to imagine what Ginny might look like if they found her Harry led the way forward around a dark bend in the tunnel .Harry theres something up there said Ron hoarsely grabbing Harrys shoulder .They froze watching .Harry could just see the outline of something huge and curved lying right across the tunnel .It wasnt moving .Maybe its asleep he breathed glancing back at the other two .Lockharts hands were pressed over his eyes .Harry turned back to look at the thing his heart beating so fast it hurt .Very slowly his eyes as narrow as he could make them and still see Harry edged forward his wand held high .The light slid over a gigantic snake skin of a vivid poisonous green lying curled and empty across the tunnel floor .The creature that had shed it must have been twenty feet long at least .Blimey said Ron weakly .There was a sudden movement behind them .Gilderoy Lockharts knees had given way .Get up said Ron sharply pointing his wand at Lockhart .Lockhart got to his feet then he dived at Ron knocking him to the ground .Harry jumped forward but too late Lockhart was straightening up panting Rons wand in his hand and a gleaming smile back on his face .The adventure ends here boys !he said .I shall take a bit of this skin back up to the school tell them I was too late to save the girl and that you two tragically lost your minds at the sight of her mangled body say goodbye to your memories !He raised Rons Spellotaped wand high over his head and yelled Obliviatel The wand exploded with the force of a small bomb .Harry flung his arms over his head and ran slipping over the coils of snake skin out of the way of great chunks of tunnel ceiling that were thundering to the floor .Next moment he was standing alone gazing at a solid wall of broken rock .Ron !he shouted .Are you okay ?Ron !Im here !came Rons muffled voice from behind the rockfall .Im okay this gits not though he got blasted by the wand There was a dull thud and a loud ow !It sounded as though Ron had just kicked Lockhart in the shins .What now ?Rons voice said sounding desperate .We cant get through itll take ages .Harry looked up at the tunnel ceiling .Huge cracks had appeared in it .He had never tried to break apart anything as large as these rocks by magic and now didnt seem a good moment to try what if the whole tunnel caved in ?There was another thud and another ow !from behind the rocks .They were wasting time .Ginny had already been in the Chamber of Secrets for hours .Harry knew there was only one thing to do .Wait there he called to Ron .Wait with Lockhart .Ill go on .If Im not back in an hour .There was a very pregnant pause .Ill try and shift some of this rock said Ron who seemed to be trying to keep his voice steady .So you can can get back through .And Harry See you in a bit said Harry trying to inject some confidence into his shaking voice .And he set off alone past the giant snake skin .Soon the distant noise of Ron straining to shift the rocks was gone .The tunnel turned and turned again .Every nerve in Harrys body was tingling unpleasantly .He wanted the tunnel to end yet dreaded what hed find when it did .And then at last as he crept around yet another bend he saw a solid wall ahead on which two entwined serpents were carved their eyes set with great glinting emeralds .Harry approached his throat very dry .There was no need to pretend these stone snakes were real their eyes looked strangely alive .He could guess what he had to do .He cleared his throat and the emerald eyes seemed to flicker .Open said Harry in a low faint hiss .The serpents parted as the wall cracked open the halves slid smoothly out of sight and Harry shaking from head to foot walked inside .THE HEIR OF SLYTHERIN He was standing at the end of a very long dimly lit chamber .Towering stone pillars entwined with more carved serpents rose to support a ceiling lost in darkness casting long black shadows through the odd greenish gloom that filled the place .His heart beating very fast Harry stood listening to the chill silence .Could the basilisk be lurking in a shadowy corner behind a pillar ?And where was Ginny ?He pulled out his wand and moved forward between the serpentine columns .Every careful footstep echoed loudly off the shadowy walls .He kept his eyes narrowed ready to clamp them shut at the smallest sign of movement .The hollow eye sockets of the stone snakes seemed to be following him .More than once with a jolt of the stomach he thought he saw one stir .Then as he drew level with the last pair of pillars a statue high as the Chamber itself loomed into view standing against the back wall .Harry had to crane his neck to look up into the giant face above It was ancient and monkeyish with a long thin beard that fell almost to the bottom of the wizards sweeping stone robes where two enormous gray feet stood on the smooth Chamber floor .And between the feet facedown lay a small blackrobed figure with flamingred hair .Ginnyl Harry muttered sprinting to her and dropping to his knees .Ginny dont be dead please dont be dead He flung his wand aside grabbed Ginnys shoulders and turned her over .Her face was white as marble and as cold yet her eyes were closed so she wasnt Petrified .But then she must be Ginny please wake up Harry muttered desperately shaking her .Ginnys head lolled hopelessly from side to side .She wont wake said a soft voice .Harry jumped and spun around on his knees .A tall blackhaired boy was leaning against the nearest pillar watching .He was strangely blurred around the edges as though Harry were looking at him through a misted window .But there was no mistaking him Tom Tom Riddle ?Riddle nodded not taking his eyes off Harrys face .What dyou mean she wont wake ?Harry said desperately .Shes not shes not ?Shes still alive said Riddle .But only just .Harry stared at him .Tom Riddle had been at Hogwarts fifty years ago yet here he stood a weird misty light shining about him not a day older than sixteen .Are you a ghost ?Harry said uncertainly .A memory said Riddle quietly .Preserved in a diary for fifty years .He pointed toward the floor near the statues giant toes .Lying open there was the little black diary Harry had found in Moaning Myrtles bathroom .For a second Harry wondered how it had got there but there were more pressing matters to deal with .Youve got to help me Tom Harry said raising Ginnys head again .Weve got to get her out of here .Theres a basilisk .I dont know where it is but it could be along any moment .Please help me Riddle didnt move .Harry sweating managed to hoist Ginny half off the floor and bent to pick up his wand again .But his wand had gone .Did you see ?He looked up .Riddle was still watching him twirling Harrys wand between his long fingers .Thanks said Harry stretching out his hand for it .A smile curled the corners of Riddles mouth .He continued to stare at Harry twirling the wand idly .Listen said Harry urgently his knees sagging with Ginnys dead weight .Weve got to go If the basilisk comes It wont come until it is called said Riddle calmly .Harry lowered Ginny back onto the floor unable to hold her up any longer .What dyou mean ?he said .Look give me my wand I might need it Riddles smile broadened .You wont be needing it he said .Harry stared at him .What dyou mean I wont be ?Ive waited a long time for this Harry Potter said Riddle .For the chance to see you .To speak to you .Look said Harry losing patience I dont think you get it .Were in the Chamber of Secrets .We can talk later Were going to talk now said Riddle still smiling broadly and he pocketed Harrys wand .Harry stared at him .There was something very funny going on here .How did Ginny get like this ?he asked slowly .Well thats an interesting question said Riddle pleasantly .And quite a long story .I suppose the real reason Ginny Weasleys like this is because she opened her heart and spilled all her secrets to an invisible stranger .What are you talking about ?said Harry .The diary said Riddle .My diary .Little Ginnys been writing in it for months and months telling me all her pitiful worries and woes how her brothers tease her how she had to come to school with secondhand robes and books how Riddles eyes glinted how she didnt think famous good great Harry Potter would ever like her .All the time he spoke Riddles eyes never left Harrys face .There was an almost hungry look in them .Its very boring having to listen to the silly little troubles of an elevenyearold girl he went on .But I was patient .I wrote back .I was sympathetic I was kind .Ginny simply loved me .No ones ever understood me like you Tom .Im so glad Ive got this diary to confide in .Its like having a friend I can carry around in my pocket .Riddle laughed a high cold laugh that didnt suit him .It made the hairs stand up on the back of Harrys neck .If I say it myself Harry Ive always been able to charm the people I needed .So Ginny poured out her soul to me and her soul happened to be exactly what I wanted .I grew stronger and stronger on a diet of her deepest fears her darkest secrets .I grew powerful far more powerful than little Miss Weasley .Powerful enough to start feeding Miss Weasley a few of my secrets to start pouring a little of my soul back into her .What dyou mean ?said Harry whose mouth had gone very dry .Havent you guessed yet Harry Potter ?said Riddle softly .Ginny Weasley opened the Chamber of Secrets .She strangled the school roosters and daubed threatening messages on the walls .She set the Serpent of Slytherin on four Mudbloods and the Squibs cat .No Harry whispered .Yes said Riddle calmly .Of course she didnt know what she was doing at first .It was very amusing .I wish you could have seen her new diary entries .far more interesting they became .Dear Tom he recited watching Harrys horrified face 7 think Im losing my memory .There are rooster feathers all over my robes and I dont know how they got there .Dear Tom I cant remember what I did on the night of Halloween but a cat was attacked and Ive got paint all down my front .Dear Tom Percy keeps telling me Im pale and Im not myself .I think he suspects me .There was another attack today and I dont know where I was .Tom what am I going to do ?I think Im going mad .I think Im the one attacking everyone Tom Harrys fists were clenched the nails digging deep into his palms .It took a very long time for stupid little Ginny to stop trusting her diary said Riddle .But she finally became suspicious and tried to dispose of it .And thats where you came in Harry .You found it and I couldnt have been more delighted .Of all the people who could have picked it up it was you the very person I was most anxious to meet .And why did you want to meet me ?said Harry .Anger was coursing through him and it was an effort to keep his voice steady .Well you see Ginny told me all about you Harry said Riddle .Your whole fascinating history .His eyes roved over the lightning scar on Harrys forehead and their expression grew hungrier .I knew I must find out more about you talk to you meet you if I could .So I decided to show you my famous capture of that great oaf Hagrid to gain your trust Hagrids my friend said Harry his voice now shaking .And you framed him didnt you ?I thought you made a mistake but Riddle laughed his high laugh again .It was my word against Hagrids Harry .Well you can imagine how it looked to old Armando Dippet .On the one hand Tom Riddle poor but brilliant parentless but so brave school prefect model student .on the other hand big blundering Hagrid in trouble every other week trying to raise werewolf cubs under his bed sneaking off to the Forbidden Forest to wrestle trolls .but I admit even was surprised how well the plan worked .I thought someone must realize that Hagrid couldnt possibly be the Heir of Slytherin .It had taken me five whole years to find out everything I could about the Chamber of Secrets and discover the secret entrance .as though Hagrid had the brains or the power !Only the Transfiguration teacher Dumbledore seemed to think Hagrid was innocent .He persuaded Dippet to keep Hagrid and train him as gamekeeper .Yes I think Dumbledore might have guessed .Dumbledore never seemed to like me as much as the other teachers did .I bet Dumbledore saw right through you said Harry his teeth gritted .Well he certainly kept an annoyingly close watch on me after Hagrid was expelled said Riddle carelessly .I knew it wouldnt be safe to open the Chamber again while I was still at school .But I wasnt going to waste those long years Id spent searching for it .I decided to leave behind a diary preserving my sixteenyearold self in its pages so that one day with luck I would be able to lead another in my footsteps and finish Salazar Slytherins noble work .Well you havent finished it said Harry triumphantly .No ones died this time not even the cat .In a few hours the Mandrake Draught will be ready and everyone who was Petrified will be all right again Havent I already told you said Riddle quietly that killing Mudbloods doesnt matter to me anymore ?For many months now my new target has been you .Harry stared at him .Imagine how angry I was when the next time my diary was opened it was Ginny who was writing to me not you .She saw you with the diary you see and panicked .What if you found out how to work it and I repeated all her secrets to you ?What if even worse I told you whod been strangling roosters ?So the foolish little brat waited until your dormitory was deserted and stole it back .But I knew what I must do .It was clear to me that you were on the trail of Slytherins heir .From everything Ginny had told me about you I knew you would go to any lengths to solve the mystery particularly if one of your best friends was attacked .And Ginny had told me the whole school was buzzing because you could speak Parseltongue .So I made Ginny write her own farewell on the wall and come down here to wait .She struggled and cried and became very boring .But there isnt much life left in her .She put too much into the diary into me .Enough to let me leave its pages at last .I have been waiting for you to appear since we arrived here .I knew youd come .I have many questions for you Harry Potter .Like what ?Harry spat fists still clenched .Well said Riddle smiling pleasantly how is it that you a skinny boy with no extraordinary magical talent managed to defeat the greatest wizard of all time ?How did you escape with nothing but a scar while Lord Voldemorts powers were destroyed ?There was an odd red gleam in his hungry eyes now .Why do you care how I escaped ?said Harry slowly .Voldemort was after your time .Voldemort said Riddle softly is my past present and future Harry Potter .He pulled Harrys wand from his pocket and began to trace it through the air writing three shimmering words tom marvolo riddle Then he waved the wand once and the letters of his name rearranged themselves i am lord voldemort You see ?he whispered .It was a name I was already using at Hogwarts to my most intimate friends only of course .You think I was going to use my filthy Muggle fathers name forever ?I in whose veins runs the blood of Salazar Slytherin himself through my mothers side ?I keep the name of a foul common Muggle who abandoned me even before I was born just because he found out his wife was a witch ?No Harry I fashioned myself a new name a name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak when I had become the greatest sorcerer in the world !Harrys brain seemed to have jammed .He stared numbly at Riddle at the orphaned boy who had grown up to murder Harrys own parents and so many others .At last he forced himself to speak .Youre not he said his quiet voice full of hatred .Not what ?snapped Riddle .Not the greatest sorcerer in the world said Harry breathing fast .Sorry to disappoint you and all that but the greatest wizard in the world is Albus Dumbledore .Everyone says so .Even when you were strong you didnt dare try and take over at Hogwarts .Dumbledore saw through you when you were at school and he still frightens you now wherever youre hiding these days The smile had gone from Riddles face to be replaced by a very ugly look .Dumbledore s been driven out of this castle by the mere memory of me !he hissed .Hes not as gone as you might think !Harry retorted .He was speaking at random wanting to scare Riddle wishing rather than believing it to be true Riddle opened his mouth but froze .Music was coming from somewhere .Riddle whirled around to stare down the empty Chamber .The music was growing louder .It was eerie spinetingling unearthly it lifted the hair on Harrys scalp and made his heart feel as though it was swelling to twice its normal size .Then as the music reached such a pitch that Harry felt it vibrating inside his own ribs flames erupted at the top of the nearest pillar .A crimson bird the size of a swan had appeared piping its weird music to the vaulted ceiling .It had a glittering golden tail as long as a peacocks and gleaming golden talons which were gripping a ragged bundle .A second later the bird was flying straight at Harry .It dropped the ragged thing it was carrying at his feet then landed heavily on his shoulder .As it folded its great wings Harry looked up and saw it had a long sharp golden beak and a beady black eye .The bird stopped singing .It sat still and warm next to Harrys cheek gazing steadily at Riddle .Thats a phoenix .said Riddle staring shrewdly back at it .Fawkes ?Harry breathed and he felt the birds golden claws squeeze his shoulder gently .And that said Riddle now eyeing the ragged thing that Fawkes had dropped thats the old school Sorting Hat So it was .Patched frayed and dirty the hat lay motionless at Harrys feet .Riddle began to laugh again .He laughed so hard that the dark Chamber rang with it as though ten Riddles were laughing at once This is what Dumbledore sends his defender !A songbird and an old hat !Do you feel brave Harry Potter ?Do you feel safe now ?Harry didnt answer .He might not see what use Fawkes or the Sorting Hat were but he was no longer alone and he waited for Riddle to stop laughing with his courage mounting .To business Harry said Riddle still smiling broadly .Twice in your past in my future we have met .And twice I failed to kill you .How did you survive ?Tell me everything .The longer you talk he added softly the longer you stay alive .Harry was thinking fast weighing his chances .Riddle had the wand .He Harry had Fawkes and the Sorting Hat neither of which would be much good in a duel .It looked bad all right .but the longer Riddle stood there the more life was dwindling out of Ginny .and in the meantime Harry noticed suddenly Riddles outline was becoming clearer more solid .If it had to be a fight between him and Riddle better sooner than later .No one knows why you lost your powers when you attacked me said Harry abruptly .I dont know myself .But I know why you couldnt kill me .Because my mother died to save me .My common Muggleborn mother he added shaking with suppressed rage .She stopped you killing me .And Ive seen the real you I saw you last year .Youre a wreck .Youre barely alive .Thats where all your power got you .Youre in hiding .Youre ugly youre foul Riddles face contorted .Then he forced it into an awful smile .So .Your mother died to save you .Yes thats a powerful countercharm .I can see now .there is nothing special about you after all .I wondered you see .There are strange likenesses between us after all .Even you must have noticed .Both halfbloods orphans raised by Muggles .Probably the only two Parselmouths to come to Hogwarts since the great Slytherin himself .We even look something alike .but after all it was merely a lucky chance that saved you from me .Thats all I wanted to know .Harry stood tense waiting for Riddle to raise his wand .But Riddles twisted smile was widening again .Now Harry Im going to teach you a little lesson .Lets match the powers of Lord Voldemort Heir of Salazar Slytherin against famous Harry Potter and the best weapons Dumbledore can give him .He cast an amused eye over Fawkes and the Sorting Hat then walked away .Harry fear spreading up his numb legs watched Riddle stop between the high pillars and look up into the stone face of Slytherin high above him in the halfdarkness .Riddle opened his mouth wide and hissed but Harry understood what he was saying .Speak to me Slytherin greatest of the Hogwarts Four .Harry wheeled around to look up at the statue Fawkes swaying on his shoulder .Slytherins gigantic stone face was moving .Horrorstruck Harry saw his mouth opening wider and wider to make a huge black hole .And something was stirring inside the statues mouth .Something was slithering up from its depths .Harry backed away until he hit the dark Chamber wall and as he shut his eyes tight he felt Fawkes wing sweep his cheek as he took flight .Harry wanted to shout Dont leave me !but what chance did a phoenix have against the king of serpents ?Something huge hit the stone floor of the Chamber .Harry felt it shudder he knew what was happening he could sense it could almost see the giant serpent uncoiling itself from Slytherins mouth .Then he heard Riddles hissing voice Kill him .The basilisk was moving toward Harry he could hear its heavy body slithering heavily across the dusty floor .Eyes still tightly shut Harry began to run blindly sideways his hands outstretched feeling his way Voldemort was laughing Harry tripped .He fell hard onto the stone and tasted blood the serpent was barely feet from him he could hear it coming There was a loud explosive spitting sound right above him and then something heavy hit Harry so hard that he was smashed into the wall .Waiting for fangs to sink through his body he heard more mad hissing something thrashing wildly off the pillars He couldnt help it he opened his eyes wide enough to squint at what was going on .The enormous serpent bright poisonous green thick as an oak trunk had raised itself high in the air and its great blunt head was weaving drunkenly between the pillars .As Harry trembled ready to close his eyes if it turned he saw what had distracted the snake .Fawkes was soaring around its head and the basilisk was snapping furiously at him with fangs long and thin as sabers Fawkes dived .His long golden beak sank out of sight and a sudden shower of dark blood spattered the floor .The snakes tail thrashed narrowly missing Harry and before Harry could shut his eyes it turned Harry looked straight into its face and saw that its eyes both its great bulbous yellow eyes had been punctured by the phoenix blood was streaming to the floor and the snake was spitting in agony .NO !Harry heard Riddle screaming .LEAVE THE BIRD !LEAVE THE BIRD !THE BOY IS BEHIND YOU !YOU CAN STILL SMELL HIM !KILL HIM !The blinded serpent swayed confused still deadly .Fawkes was circling its head piping his eerie song jabbing here and there at its scaly nose as the blood poured from its ruined eyes .Help me help me Harry muttered wildly someone anyone The snakes tail whipped across the floor again .Harry ducked .Something soft hit his face .The basilisk had swept the Sorting Hat into Harrys arms .Harry seized it .It was all he had left his only chance he rammed it onto his head and threw himself flat onto the floor as the basilisks tail swung over him again .Help me help me Harry thought his eyes screwed tight under the hat .Please help me There was no answering voice .Instead the hat contracted as though an invisible hand was squeezing it very tightly .Something very hard and heavy thudded onto the top of Harrys head almost knocking him out .Stars winking in front of his eyes he grabbed the top of the hat to pull it off and felt something long and hard beneath it .A gleaming silver sword had appeared inside the hat its handle glittering with rubies the size of eggs .KILL THE BOY !LEAVE THE BIRD !THE BOY IS BEHIND YOU !SNIFF SMELL HIM !Harry was on his feet ready .The basilisks head was falling its body coiling around hitting pillars as it twisted to face him .He could see the vast bloody eye sockets see the mouth stretching wide wide enough to swallow him whole lined with fangs long as his sword thin glittering venomous It lunged blindly Harry dodged and it hit the Chamber wall .It lunged again and its forked tongue lashed Harrys side .He raised the sword in both his hands The basilisk lunged again and this time its aim was true Harry threw his whole weight behind the sword and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpents mouth But as warm blood drenched Harrys arms he felt a searing pain just above his elbow .One long poisonous fang was sinking deeper and deeper into his arm and it splintered as the basilisk keeled over sideways and fell twitching to the floor .Harry slid down the wall .He gripped the fang that was spreading poison through his body and wrenched it out of his arm .But he knew it was too late .White hot pain was spreading slowly and steadily from the wound .Even as he dropped the fang and watched his own blood soaking his robes his vision went foggy .The Chamber was dissolving in a whirl of dull color .A patch of scarlet swam past and Harry heard a soft clatter of claws beside him .Fawkes said Harry thickly .You were fantastic Fawkes .He felt the bird lay its beautiful head on the spot where the serpents fang had pierced him .He could hear echoing footsteps and then a dark shadow moved in front of him .Youre dead Harry Potter said Riddles voice above him .Dead .Even Dumbledores bird knows it .Do you see what hes doing Potter ?Hes crying .Harry blinked .Fawkess head slid in and out of focus .Thick pearly tears were trickling down the glossy feathers .Im going to sit here and watch you die Harry Potter .Take your time .Im in no hurry .Harry felt drowsy .Everything around him seemed to be spinning .So ends the famous Harry Potter said Riddles distant voice .Alone in the Chamber of Secrets forsaken by his friends defeated at last by the Dark Lord he so unwisely challenged .Youll be back with your dear Mudblood mother soon Harry .She bought you twelve years of borrowed time .but Lord Voldemort got you in the end as you knew he must .If this is dying thought Harry its not so bad .Even the pain was leaving him .But was this dying ?Instead of going black the Chamber seemed to be coming back into focus .Harry gave his head a little shake and there was Fawkes still resting his head on Harrys arm .A pearly patch of tears was shining all around the wound except that there was no wound Get away bird said Riddles voice suddenly .Get away from him I said get away Harry raised his head .Riddle was pointing Harrys wand at Fawkes there was a bang like a gun and Fawkes took flight again in a whirl of gold and scarlet .Phoenix tears .said Riddle quietly staring at Harrys arm .Of course .healing powers .I forgot He looked into Harrys face .But it makes no difference .In fact I prefer it this way .Just you and me Harry Potter .you and me .He raised the wand Then in a rush of wings Fawkes had soared back overhead and something fell into Harrys lap the diary .For a split second both Harry and Riddle wand still raised stared at it .Then without thinking without considering as though he had meant to do it all along Harry seized the basilisk fang on the floor next to him and plunged it straight into the heart of the book .There was a long dreadful piercing scream .Ink spurted out of the diary in torrents streaming over Harrys hands flooding the floor .Riddle was writhing and twisting screaming and flailing and then He had gone .Harrys wand fell to the floor with a clatter and there was silence .Silence except for the steady drip drip of ink still oozing from the diary .The basilisk venom had burned a sizzling hole right through it .Shaking all over Harry pulled himself up .His head was spinning as though hed just traveled miles by Floo powder .Slowly he gathered together his wand and the Sorting Hat and with a huge tug retrieved the glittering sword from the roof of the basilisks mouth .Then came a faint moan from the end of the Chamber .Ginny was stirring .As Harry hurried toward her she sat up .Her bemused eyes traveled from the huge form of the dead basilisk over Harry in his bloodsoaked robes then to the diary in his hand .She drew a great shuddering gasp and tears began to pour down her face .Harry oh Harry I tried to tell you at b breakfast but I c couldnt say it in front of Percy it was me Harry but I I sswear I ddidnt mean to RRiddle made me he ttook me over and how did you kill that that thing ?Wwheres Riddle ?The last thing I rremember is him coming out of the diary Its all right said Harry holding up the diary and showing Ginny the fang hole Riddles finished .Look !Him and the basilisk .Cmon Ginny lets get out of here Im going to be expelled !Ginny wept as Harry helped her awkwardly to her feet .Ive looked forward to coming to Hogwarts ever since BBill came and nnow Ill have to leave and wwhatll Mum and Dad say ?Fawkes was waiting for them hovering in the Chamber entrance .Harry urged Ginny forward they stepped over the motionless coils of the dead basilisk through the echoing gloom and back into the tunnel .Harry heard the stone doors close behind them with a soft hiss .After a few minutes progress up the dark tunnel a distant sound of slowly shifting rock reached Harrys ears .Ron !Harry yelled speeding up .Ginnys okay !Ive got her !He heard Ron give a strangled cheer and they turned the next bend to see his eager face staring through the sizable gap he had managed to make in the rockfall .Ginny Ron thrust an arm through the gap in the rock to pull her through first .Youre alive !I dont believe it !What happened ?How what where did that bird come from ?Fawkes had swooped through the gap after Ginny .Hes Dumbledores said Harry squeezing through himself .How come youve got a sword ?said Ron gaping at the glittering weapon in Harrys hand .Ill explain when we get out of here said Harry with a sideways glance at Ginny who was crying harder than ever .But Later Harry said shortly .He didnt think it was a good idea to tell Ron yet whod been opening the Chamber not in front of Ginny anyway .Wheres Lockhart ?Back there said Ron still looking puzzled but jerking his head up the tunnel toward the pipe .Hes in a bad way .Come and see .Led by Fawkes whose wide scarlet wings emitted a soft golden glow in the darkness they walked all the way back to the mouth of the pipe .Gilderoy Lockhart was sitting there humming placidly to himself .His memorys gone said Ron .The Memory Charm backfired .Hit him instead of us .Hasnt got a clue who he is or where he is or who we are .I told him to come and wait here .Hes a danger to himself .Lockhart peered goodnaturedly up at them all .Hello he said .Odd sort of place this isnt it ?Do you live here ?No said Ron raising his eyebrows at Harry .Harry bent down and looked up the long dark pipe .Have you thought how were going to get back up this ?he said to Ron .Ron shook his head but Fawkes the phoenix had swooped past Harry and was now fluttering in front of him his beady eyes bright in the dark .He was waving his long golden tail feathers .Harry looked uncertainly at him .He looks like he wants you to grab hold .said Ron looking perplexed .But youre much too heavy for a bird to pull up there Fawkes said Harry isnt an ordinary bird .He turned quickly to the others .Weve got to hold on to each other .Ginny grab Rons hand .Professor Lockhart He means you said Ron sharply to Lockhart .You hold Ginnys other hand Harry tucked the sword and the Sorting Hat into his belt Ron took hold of the back of Harrys robes and Harry reached out and took hold of Fawkess strangely hot tail feathers .An extraordinary lightness seemed to spread through his whole body and the next second in a rush of wings they were flying upward through the pipe .Harry could hear Lockhart dangling below him saying Amazing !Amazing !This is just like magic !The chill air was whipping through Harrys hair and before hed stopped enjoying the ride it was over all four of them were hitting the wet floor of Moaning Myrtles bathroom and as Lockhart straightened his hat the sink that hid the pipe was sliding back into place .Myrtle goggled at them .Youre alive she said blankly to Harry .Theres no need to sound so disappointed he said grimly wiping flecks of blood and slime off his glasses .Oh well .Id just been thinking .if you had died youd have been welcome to share my toilet said Myrtle blushing silver .Urgh !said Ron as they left the bathroom for the dark deserted corridor outside .Harry !I think Myrtles grown fond of you !Youve got competition Ginny !But tears were still flooding silently down Ginnys face .Where now ?said Ron with an anxious look at Ginny .Harry pointed .Fawkes was leading the way glowing gold along the corridor .They strode after him and moments later found themselves outside Professor McGonagalls office .Harry knocked and pushed the door open .DOBBYS REWARD For a moment there was silence as Harry Ron Ginny and Lockhart stood in the doorway covered in muck and slime and in Harrys case blood .Then there was a scream .Ginny It was Mrs Weasley who had been sitting crying in front of the fire .She leapt to her feet closely followed by Mr Weasley and both of them flung themselves on their daughter .Harry however was looking past them .Professor Dumbledore was standing by the mantelpiece beaming next to Professor McGonagall who was taking great steadying gasps clutching her chest .Fawkes went whooshing past Harrys ear and settled on Dumbledore s shoulder just as Harry found himself and Ron being swept into Mrs Weasleys tight embrace .You saved her !You saved her !How did you do it ?I think wed all like to know that said Professor McGonagall weakly .Mrs Weasley let go of Harry who hesitated for a moment then walked over to the desk and laid upon it the Sorting Hat the rubyencrusted sword and what remained of Riddles diary .Then he started telling them everything .For nearly a quarter of an hour he spoke into the rapt silence He told them about hearing the disembodied voice how Hermione had finally realized that he was hearing a basilisk in the pipes how he and Ron had followed the spiders into the forest that Aragog had told them where the last victim of the basilisk had died how he had guessed that Moaning Myrtle had been the victim and that the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets might be in her bathroom .Very well Professor McGonagall prompted him as he paused so you found out where the entrance was breaking a hundred school rules into pieces along the way I might add but how on earth did you all get out of there alive Potter ?So Harry his voice now growing hoarse from all this talking told them about Fawkess timely arrival and about the Sorting Hat giving him the sword .But then he faltered .He had so far avoided mentioning Riddles diary or Ginny .She was standing with her head against Mrs Weasley s shoulder and tears were still coursing silently down her cheeks .What if they expelled her ?Harry thought in panic .Riddles diary didnt work anymore .How could they prove it had been he whod made her do it all ?Instinctively Harry looked at Dumbledore who smiled faintly the firelight glancing off his halfmoon spectacles .What interests me most said Dumbledore gently is how Lord Voldemort managed to enchant Ginny when my sources tell me he is currently in hiding in the forests of Albania .Relief warm sweeping glorious relief swept over Harry .Wwhats that ?said Mr Weasley in a stunned voice .YouKnowWho ?Enenchant Ginny ?But Ginny s not .Ginny hasnt been .has she ?It was this diary said Harry quickly picking it up and showing it to Dumbledore .Riddle wrote it when he was sixteen .Dumbledore took the diary from Harry and peered keenly down his long crooked nose at its burnt and soggy pages .Brilliant he said softly .Of course he was probably the most brilliant student Hogwarts has ever seen .He turned around to the Weasleys who were looking utterly bewildered .Very few people know that Lord Voldemort was once called Tom Riddle .I taught him myself fifty years ago at Hogwarts .He disappeared after leaving the school .traveled far and wide .sank so deeply into the Dark Arts consorted with the very worst of our kind underwent so many dangerous magical transformations that when he resurfaced as Lord Voldemort he was barely recognizable .Hardly anyone connected Lord Voldemort with the clever handsome boy who was once Head Boy here .But Ginny said Mrs Weasley .Whats our Ginny got to do with with him ?His ddiary !Ginny sobbed .Ive bbeen writing in it and hes been w writing back all year Ginnyl said Mr Weasley flabbergasted .Havent I taught you anything ?What have I always told you ?Never trust anything that can think for itself if you cant see where it keeps its brain .Why didnt you show the diary to me or your mother ?A suspicious object like that it was clearly full of Dark Magic I ddidnt know sobbed Ginny .I found it inside one of the books Mum got me .I ththought someone had just left it in there and forgotten about it Miss Weasley should go up to the hospital wing right away Dumbledore interrupted in a firm voice .This has been a terrible ordeal for her .There will be no punishment .Older and wiser wizards than she have been hoodwinked by Lord Voldemort .He strode over to the door and opened it .Bed rest and perhaps a large steaming mug of hot chocolate .I always find that cheers me up he added twinkling kindly down at her .You will find that Madam Pomfrey is still awake .Shes just giving out Mandrake juice I daresay the basilisks victims will be waking up any moment .So Hermiones okay !said Ron brightly .There has been no lasting harm done Ginny said Dumbledore .Mrs Weasley led Ginny out and Mr Weasley followed still looking deeply shaken .You know Minerva Professor Dumbledore said thoughtfully to Professor McGonagall I think all this merits a good feast Might I ask you to go and alert the kitchens ?Right said Professor McGonagall crisply also moving to the door .Ill leave you to deal with Potter and Weasley shall I ?Certainly said Dumbledore .She left and Harry and Ron gazed uncertainly at Dumbledore .What exactly had Professor McGonagall meant deal with them ?Surely surely they werent about to be punished ?I seem to remember telling you both that I would have to expel you if you broke any more school rules said Dumbledore .Ron opened his mouth in horror .Which goes to show that the best of us must sometimes eat our words Dumbledore went on smiling .You will both receive Special Awards for Services to the School and let me see yes I think two hundred points apiece for Gryffindor .Ron went as brightly pink as Lockharts valentine flowers and closed his mouth again .But one of us seems to be keeping mightily quiet about his part in this dangerous adventure Dumbledore added .Why so modest Gilderoy ?Harry gave a start .He had completely forgotten about Lockhart .He turned and saw that Lockhart was standing in a corner of the room still wearing his vague smile .When Dumbledore addressed him Lockhart looked over his shoulder to see who he was talking to .Professor Dumbledore Ron said quickly there was an accident down in the Chamber of Secrets .Professor Lockhart Am I a professor ?said Lockhart in mild surprise .Goodness .I expect I was hopeless was I ?He tried to do a Memory Charm and the wand backfired Ron explained quietly to Dumbledore .Dear me said Dumbledore shaking his head his long silver mustache quivering .Impaled upon your own sword Gilderoy !Sword ?said Lockhart dimly .Havent got a sword .That boy has though .He pointed at Harry .Hell lend you one .Would you mind taking Professor Lockhart up to the infirmary too ?Dumbledore said to Ron .Id like a few more words with Harry .Lockhart ambled out .Ron cast a curious look back at Dumbledore and Harry as he closed the door .Dumbledore crossed to one of the chairs by the fire .Sit down Harry he said and Harry sat feeling unaccountably nervous .First of all Harry I want to thank you said Dumbledore eyes twinkling again .You must have shown me real loyalty down in the Chamber .Nothing but that could have called Fawkes to you .He stroked the phoenix which had fluttered down onto his knee .Harry grinned awkwardly as Dumbledore watched him .And so you met Tom Riddle said Dumbledore thoughtfully .I imagine he was most interested in you .Suddenly something that was nagging at Harry came tumbling out of his mouth .Professor Dumbledore .Riddle said Im like him .Strange likenesses he said .Did he now ?said Dumbledore looking thoughtfully at Harry from under his thick silver eyebrows .And what do you think Harry ?I dont think Im like him !said Harry more loudly than hed intended .I mean Im Im in Gryffindor Im .But he fell silent a lurking doubt resurfacing in his mind .Professor he started again after a moment .The Sorting Hat told me Id Id have done well in Slytherin .Everyone thought was Slytherins heir for a while .because I can speak Parseltongue .You can speak Parseltongue Harry said Dumbledore calmly because Lord Voldemort who is the last remaining descendant of Salazar Slytherin can speak Parseltongue .Unless Im much mistaken he transferred some of his own powers to you the night he gave you that scar .Not something he intended to do Im sure .Voldemort put a bit of himself in me ?Harry said thunderstruck .It certainly seems so .So I should be in Slytherin Harry said looking desperately into Dumbledore s face .The Sorting Hat could see Slytherin s power in me and it Put you in Gryffindor said Dumbledore calmly .Listen to me Harry .You happen to have many qualities Salazar Slytherin prized in his handpicked students .His own very rare gift Parseltongue resourcefulness determination a certain disregard for rules he added his mustache quivering again .Yet the Sorting Hat placed you in Gryffindor .You know why that was .Think .It only put me in Gryffindor said Harry in a defeated voice because I asked not to go in Slytherin .Exactly said Dumbledore beaming once more .Which makes you very different from Tom Riddle .It is our choices Harry that show what we truly are far more than our abilities .Harry sat motionless in his chair stunned .If you want proof Harry that you belong in Gryffindor I suggest you look more closely at this .Dumbledore reached across to Professor McGonagalls desk picked up the bloodstained silver sword and handed it to Harry .Dully Harry turned it over the rubies blazing in the firelight .And then he saw the name engraved just below the hilt .Godric Gryffindor .Only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that out of the hat Harry said Dumbledore simply .For a minute neither of them spoke .Then Dumbledore pulled open one of the drawers in Professor McGonagalls desk and took out a quill and a bottle of ink .What you need Harry is some food and sleep .I suggest you go down to the feast while I write to Azkaban we need our gamekeeper back .And I must draft an advertisement for the Daily Prophet too he added thoughtfully .Well be needing a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher .Dear me we do seem to run through them dont we ?Harry got up and crossed to the door .He had just reached for the handle however when the door burst open so violently that it bounced back off the wall .Lucius Malfoy stood there fury in his face .And cowering behind his legs heavily wrapped in bandages was Dobby .Good evening Lucius said Dumbledore pleasantly .Mr Malfoy almost knocked Harry over as he swept into the room .Dobby went scurrying in after him crouching at the hem of his cloak a look of abject terror on his face .The elf was carrying a stained rag with which he was attempting to finish cleaning Mr Malfoy s shoes .Apparently Mr Malfoy had set out in a great hurry for not only were his shoes halfpolished but his usually sleek hair was disheveled .Ignoring the elf bobbing apologetically around his ankles he fixed his cold eyes upon Dumbledore .So !he said Youve come back .The governors suspended you but you still saw fit to return to Hogwarts .Well you see Lucius said Dumbledore smiling serenely the other eleven governors contacted me today .It was something like being caught in a hailstorm of owls to tell the truth .Theyd heard that Arthur Weasleys daughter had been killed and wanted me back here at once .They seemed to think I was the best man for the job after all .Very strange tales they told me too .Several of them seemed to think that you had threatened to curse their families if they didnt agree to suspend me in the first place .Mr Malfoy went even paler than usual but his eyes were still slits of fury .So have you stopped the attacks yet ?he sneered .Have you caught the culprit ?We have said Dumbledore with a smile .Well ?said Mr Malfoy sharply .Who is it ?The same person as last time Lucius said Dumbledore .But this time Lord Voldemort was acting through somebody else .By means of this diary .He held up the small black book with the large hole through the center watching Mr Malfoy closely .Harry however was watching Dobby .The elf was doing something very odd .His great eyes fixed meaningfully on Harry he kept pointing at the diary then at Mr Malfoy and then hitting himself hard on the head with his fist .I see .said Mr Malfoy slowly to Dumbledore .A clever plan said Dumbledore in a level voice still staring Mr Malfoy straight in the eye .Because if Harry here Mr Malfoy shot Harry a swift sharp look and his friend Ron hadnt discovered this book why Ginny Weasley might have taken all the blame .No one would ever have been able to prove she hadnt acted of her own free will .Mr Malfoy said nothing .His face was suddenly masklike .And imagine Dumbledore went on what might have happened then .The Weasleys are one of our most prominent pureblood families .Imagine the effect on Arthur Weasley and his Muggle Protection Act if his own daughter was discovered attacking and killing Muggleborns .Very fortunate the diary was discovered and Riddles memories wiped from it .Who knows what the consequences might have been otherwise .Mr Malfoy forced himself to speak .Very fortunate he said stiffly .And still behind his back Dobby was pointing first to the diary then to Lucius Malfoy then punching himself in the head .And Harry suddenly understood .He nodded at Dobby and Dobby backed into a corner now twisting his ears in punishment .Dont you want to know how Ginny got hold of that diary Mr Malfoy ?said Harry .Lucius Malfoy rounded on him .How should I know how the stupid little girl got hold of it ?he said .Because you gave it to her said Harry .In Flourish and Blotts .You picked up her old Transfiguration book and slipped the diary inside it didnt you ?He saw Mr Malfoys white hands clench and unclench .Prove it he hissed .Oh no one will be able to do that said Dumbledore smiling at Harry .Not now that Riddle has vanished from the book .On the other hand I would advise you Lucius not to go giving out any more of Lord Voldemorts old school things .If any more of them find their way into innocent hands I think Arthur Weasley for one will make sure they are traced back to you .Lucius Malfoy stood for a moment and Harry distinctly saw his right hand twitch as though he was longing to reach for his wand .Instead he turned to his houseelf .Were going Dobby !He wrenched open the door and as the elf came hurrying up to him he kicked him right through it .They could hear Dobby squealing with pain all the way along the corridor .Harry stood for a moment thinking hard .Then it came to him Professor Dumbledore he said hurriedly .Can I give that diary back to Mr Malfoy please ?Certainly Harry said Dumbledore calmly .But hurry .The feast remember .Harry grabbed the diary and dashed out of the office .He could hear Dobbys squeals of pain receding around the corner .Quickly wondering if this plan could possibly work Harry took off one of his shoes pulled off his slimy filthy sock and stuffed the diary into it .Then he ran down the dark corridor .He caught up with them at the top of the stairs .Mr Malfoy he gasped skidding to a halt Ive got something for you And he forced the smelly sock into Lucius Malfoys hand .What the ?Mr Malfoy ripped the sock off the diary threw it aside then looked furiously from the ruined book to Harry .Youll meet the same sticky end as your parents one of these days Harry Potter he said softly .They were meddlesome fools too .He turned to go .Come Dobby .I said come .But Dobby didnt move .He was holding up Harrys disgusting slimy sock and looking at it as though it were a priceless treasure .Master has given a sock said the elf in wonderment .Master gave it to Dobby .Whats that ?spat Mr Malfoy .What did you say ?Got a sock said Dobby in disbelief .Master threw it and Dobby caught it and Dobby Dobby is free .Lucius Malfoy stood frozen staring at the elf .Then he lunged at Harry .Youve lost me my servant boy !But Dobby shouted You shall not harm Harry Potter !There was a loud bang and Mr Malfoy was thrown backward .He crashed down the stairs three at a time landing in a crumpled heap on the landing below .He got up his face livid and pulled out his wand but Dobby raised a long threatening finger .You shall go now he said fiercely pointing down at Mr Malfoy .You shall not touch Harry Potter .You shall go now .Lucius Malfoy had no choice .With a last incensed stare at the pair of them he swung his cloak around him and hurried out of sight .Harry Potter freed Dobby !said the elf shrilly gazing up at Harry moonlight from the nearest window reflected in his orblike eyes .Harry Potter set Dobby free !Least I could do Dobby said Harry grinning .Just promise never to try and save my life again .The elfs ugly brown face split suddenly into a wide toothy smile .Ive just got one question Dobby said Harry as Dobby pulled on Harrys sock with shaking hands .You told me all this had nothing to do with HeWho MustNotBeNamed remember ?Well It was a clue sir said Dobby his eyes widening as though this was obvious .Was giving you a clue .The Dark Lord before he changed his name could be freely named you see ?Right said Harry weakly .Well Id better go .Theres a feast and my friend Hermione should be awake by now .Dobby threw his arms around Harrys middle and hugged him .Harry Potter is greater by far than Dobby knew !he sobbed .Farewell Harry Potter !And with a final loud crack Dobby disappeared .Harry had been to several Hogwarts feasts but never one quite like this .Everybody was in their pajamas and the celebration lasted all night .Harry didnt know whether the best bit was Hermione running toward him screaming You solved it !You solved it !or Justin hurrying over from the Hufflepuff table to wring his hand and apologize endlessly for suspecting him or Hagrid turning up at half past three cuffing Harry and Ron so hard on the shoulders that they were knocked into their plates of trifle or his and Rons four hundred points for Gryffindor securing the House Cup for the second year running or Professor McGonagall standing up to tell them all that the exams had been canceled as a school treat Oh no !said Hermione or Dumbledore announcing that unfortunately Professor Lockhart would be unable to return next year owing to the fact that he needed to go away and get his memory back .Quite a few of the teachers joined in the cheering that greeted this news .Shame said Ron helping himself to a jam doughnut .He was starting to grow on me .The rest of the final term passed in a haze of blazing sunshine .Hogwarts was back to normal with only a few small differences Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were canceled but weve had plenty of practice at that anyway Ron told a disgruntled Hermione and Lucius Malfoy had been sacked as a school governor .Draco was no longer strutting around the school as though he owned the place .On the contrary he looked resentful and sulky .On the other hand Ginny Weasley was perfectly happy again .Too soon it was time for the journey home on the Hogwarts Express .Harry Ron Hermione Fred George and Ginny got a compartment to themselves .They made the most of the last few hours in which they were allowed to do magic before the holidays .They played Exploding Snap set off the very last of Fred and Georges Filibuster fireworks and practiced disarming each other by magic .Harry was getting very good at it .They were almost at Kings Cross when Harry remembered something .Ginny what did you see Percy doing that he didnt want you to tell anyone ?Oh that said Ginny giggling .Well Percys got a girlfriend .Fred dropped a stack of books on Georges head .What ?Its that Ravenclaw prefect Penelope Clearwater said Ginny .Thats who he was writing to all last summer .Hes been meeting her all over the school in secret .I walked in on them kissing in an empty classroom one day .He was so upset when she was you know attacked .You wont tease him will you ?she added anxiously .Wouldnt dream of it said Fred who was looking like his birthday had come early .Definitely not said George sniggering .The Hogwarts Express slowed and finally stopped .Harry pulled out his quill and a bit of parchment and turned to Ron and Hermione .This is called a telephone number he told Ron scribbling it twice tearing the parchment in two and handing it to them .I told your dad how to use a telephone last summer hell know .Call me at the Dursleys okay ?I cant stand another two months with only Dudley to talk to .Your aunt and uncle will be proud though wont they ?said Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward the enchanted barrier .When they hear what you did this year ?Proud ?said Harry .Are you crazy ?All those times I couldve died and I didnt manage it ?Theyll be furious .And together they walked back through the gateway to the Muggle world .OWL POST Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways .For one thing he hated the summer holidays more than any other time of year .For another he really wanted to do his homework but was forced to do it in secret in the dead of night .And he also happened to be a wizard .It was nearly midnight and he was lying on his stomach in bed the blankets drawn right over his head like a tent a flashlight in one hand and a large leatherbound book A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot propped open against the pillow .Harry moved the tip of his eaglefeather quill down the page frowning as he looked for something that would help him write his essay Witch Burning in the Fourteenth Century Was Completely Pointless discuss .The quill paused at the top of a likelylooking paragraph .Harry pushed his round glasses up the bridge of his nose moved his flashlight closer to the book and read Nonmagic people more commonly known as Muggles were particularly afraid of magic in medieval times but not very good at recognizing it .On the rare occasion that they did catch a real witch or wizard burning had no effect whatsoever .The witch or wizard would perform a basic Flame Freezing Charm and then pretend to shriek with pain while enjoying a gentle tickling sensation .Indeed Wendelin the Weird enjoyed being burned so much that she allowed herself to be caught no less than fortyseven times in various disguises .Harry put his quill between his teeth and reached underneath his pillow for his ink bottle and a roll of parchment .Slowly and very carefully he unscrewed the ink bottle dipped his quill into it and began to write pausing every now and then to listen because if any of the Dursleys heard the scratching of his quill on their way to the bathroom hed probably find himself locked in the cupboard under the stairs for the rest of the summer .The Dursley family of number four Privet Drive was the reason that Harry never enjoyed his summer holidays .Uncle Vernon Aunt Petunia and their son Dudley were Harrys only living relatives .They were Muggles and they had a very medieval attitude toward magic .Harrys dead parents who had been a witch and wizard themselves were never mentioned under the Dursleys roof .For years Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had hoped that if they kept Harry as downtrodden as possible they would be able to squash the magic out of him .To their fury they had been unsuccessful .These days they lived in terror of anyone finding out that Harry had spent most of the last two years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry .The most they could do however was to lock away Harrys spellbooks wand cauldron and broomstick at the start of the summer break and forbid him to talk to the neighbors .This separation from his spellbooks had been a real problem for Harry because his teachers at Hogwarts had given him a lot of holiday work .One of the essays a particularly nasty one about shrinking potions was for Harrys least favorite teacher Professor Snape who would be delighted to have an excuse to give Harry detention for a month .Harry had therefore seized his chance in the first week of the holidays .While Uncle Vernon Aunt Petunia and Dudley had gone out into the front garden to admire Uncle Vernons new company car in very loud voices so that the rest of the street would notice it too Harry had crept downstairs picked the lock on the cupboard under the stairs grabbed some of his books and hidden them in his bedroom .As long as he didnt leave spots of ink on the sheets the Dursleys need never know that he was studying magic by night .Harry was particularly keen to avoid trouble with his aunt and uncle at the moment as they were already in an especially bad mood with him all because hed received a telephone call from a fellow wizard one week into the school vacation .Ron Weasley who was one of Harrys best friends at Hogwarts came from a whole family of wizards .This meant that he knew a lot of things Harry didnt but had never used a telephone before .Most unluckily it had been Uncle Vernon who had answered the call .Vernon Dursley speaking .Harry who happened to be in the room at the time froze as he heard Rons voice answer .HELLO ?HELLO ?CAN YOU HEAR ME ?I WANT TO TALK TO HARRY POTTER !Ron was yelling so loudly that Uncle Vernon jumped and held the receiver a foot away from his ear staring at it with an expression of mingled fury and alarm .WHO IS THIS ?he roared in the direction of the mouthpiece .WHO ARE YOU ?RON WEASLEY !Ron bellowed back as though he and Uncle Vernon were speaking from opposite ends of a football field .IM A FRIEND OF HARRYS FROM SCHOOL Uncle Vernons small eyes swiveled around to Harry who was rooted to the spot .THERE IS NO HARRY POTTER HERE !he roared now holding the receiver at arms length as though frightened it might explode .I DONT KNOW WHAT SCHOOL YOURE TALKING ABOUT !NEVER CONTACT ME AGAIN !DONT YOU COME NEAR MY FAMILY !And he threw the receiver back onto the telephone as if dropping a poisonous spider .The fight that had followed had been one of the worst ever .HOW DARE YOU GIVE THIS NUMBER TO PEOPLE LIKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU !Uncle Vernon had roared spraying Harry with spit .Ron obviously realized that hed gotten Harry into trouble because he hadnt called again .Harrys other best friend from Hogwarts Hermione Granger hadnt been in touch either .Harry suspected that Ron had warned Hermione not to call which was a pity because Hermione the cleverest witch in Harrys year had Muggle parents knew perfectly well how to use a telephone and would probably have had enough sense not to say that she went to Hogwarts .So Harry had had no word from any of his wizarding friends for five long weeks and this summer was turning out to be almost as bad as the last one .There was just one very small improvement after swearing that he wouldnt use her to send letters to any of his friends Harry had been allowed to let his owl Hedwig out at night .Uncle Vernon had given in because of the racket Hedwig made if she was locked in her cage all the time .Harry finished writing about Wendelin the Weird and paused to listen again .The silence in the dark house was broken only by the distant grunting snores of his enormous cousin Dudley .It must be very late Harry thought .His eyes were itching with tiredness .Perhaps hed finish this essay tomorrow night .He replaced the top of the ink bottle pulled an old pillowcase from under his bed put the flashlight A History of Magic his essay quill and ink inside it got out of bed and hid the lot under a loose floorboard under his bed .Then he stood up stretched and checked the time on the luminous alarm clock on his bedside table .It was one oclock in the morning .Harrys stomach gave a funny jolt .He had been thirteen years old without realizing it for a whole hour .Yet another unusual thing about Harry was how little he looked forward to his birthdays .He had never received a birthday card in his life .The Dursleys had completely ignored his last two birthdays and he had no reason to suppose they would remember this one .Harry walked across the dark room past Hedwigs large empty cage to the open window .He leaned on the sill the cool night air pleasant on his face after a long time under the blankets .Hedwig had been absent for two nights now .Harry wasnt worried about her shed been gone this long before .But he hoped shed be back soon she was the only living creature in this house who didnt flinch at the sight of him .Harry though still rather small and skinny for his age had grown a few inches over the last year .His jetblack hair however was just as it always had been stubbornly untidy whatever he did to it .The eyes behind his glasses were bright green and on his forehead clearly visible through his hair was a thin scar shaped like a bolt of lightning .Of all the unusual things about Harry this scar was the most extraordinary of all .It was not as the Dursleys had pretended for ten years a souvenir of the car crash that had killed Harrys parents because Lily and James Potter had not died in a car crash .They had been murdered murdered by the most feared Dark wizard for a hundred years Lord Voldemort .Harry had escaped from the same attack with nothing more than a scar on his forehead where Voldemorts curse instead of killing him had rebounded upon its originator .Barely alive Voldemort had fled .But Harry had come facetoface with him at Hogwarts .Remembering their last meeting as he stood at the dark window Harry had to admit he was lucky even to have reached his thirteenth birthday .He scanned the starry sky for a sign of Hedwig perhaps soaring back to him with a dead mouse dangling from her beak expecting praise .Gazing absently over the rooftops it was a few seconds before Harry realized what he was seeing .Silhouetted against the golden moon and growing larger every moment was a large strangely lopsided creature and it was flapping in Harrys direction .He stood quite still watching it sink lower and lower .For a split second he hesitated his hand on the window latch wondering whether to slam it shut .But then the bizarre creature soared over one of the street lamps of Privet Drive and Harry realizing what it was leapt aside .Through the window soared three owls two of them holding up the third which appeared to be unconscious .They landed with a soft flump on Harrys bed and the middle owl which was large and gray keeled right over and lay motionless .There was a large package tied to its legs .Harry recognized the unconscious owl at once his name was Errol and he belonged to the Weasley family .Harry dashed to the bed untied the cords around Errols legs took off the parcel and then carried Errol to Hedwigs cage .Errol opened one bleary eye gave a feeble hoot of thanks and began to gulp some water .Harry turned back to the remaining owls .One of them the large snowy female was his own Hedwig .She too was carrying a parcel and looked extremely pleased with herself .She gave Harry an affectionate nip with her beak as he removed her burden then flew across the room to join Errol .Harry didnt recognize the third owl a handsome tawny one but he knew at once where it had come from because in addition to a third package it was carrying a letter bearing the Hogwarts crest .When Harry relieved this owl of its burden it ruffled its feathers importantly stretched its wings and took off through the window into the night .Harry sat down on his bed and grabbed Errols package ripped off the brown paper and discovered a present wrapped in gold and his first ever birthday card .Fingers trembling slightly he opened the envelope .Two pieces of paper fell out a letter and a newspaper clipping .The clipping had clearly come out of the wizarding newspaper the Daily Prophet because the people in the blackandwhite picture were moving .Harry picked up the clipping smoothed it out and read MINISTRY OF MAGIC EMPLOYEE SCOOPS GRAND PRIZE Arthur Weasley Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office at the Ministry of Magic has won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw .A delighted Mr Weasley told the Daily Prophet We will be spending the gold on a summer holiday in Egypt where our eldest son Bill works as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank .The Weasley family will be spending a month in Egypt returning for the start of the new school year at Hogwarts which five of the Weasley children currently attend .Harry scanned the moving photograph and a grin spread across his face as he saw all nine of the Weasleys waving furiously at him standing in front of a large pyramid .Plump little Mrs Weasley tall balding Mr Weasley six sons and one daughter all though the blackandwhite picture didnt show it with flamingred hair .Right in the middle of the picture was Ron tall and gangling with his pet rat Scabbers on his shoulder and his arm around his little sister Ginny .Harry couldnt think of anyone who deserved to win a large pile of gold more than the Weasleys who were very nice and extremely poor .He picked up Rons letter and unfolded it .Dear Harry Happy birthday !Look Im really sorry about that telephone call .I hope the Muggles didnt give you a hard time .I asked Dad and he reckons I shouldnt have shouted .Its amazing here in Egypt .Bills taken us around all the tombs and you wouldnt believe the curses those old Egyptian wizards put on them .Mum wouldnt let Ginny come in the last one .There were all these mutant skeletons in there of Muggles whod broken in and grown extra heads and stuff .I couldnt believe it when Dad won the Daily Prophet Draw .Seven hundred galleons !Most of its gone on this trip but theyre going to buy me a new wand for next year .Harry remembered only too well the occasion when Rons old wand had snapped .It had happened when the car the two of them had been flying to Hogwarts had crashed into a tree on the school grounds .Well be back about a week before term starts and well be going up to London to get my wand and our new books .Any chance of meeting you there ?Dont let the Muggles get you down !Try and come to London Ron PS .Percys Head Boy .He got the letter last week .Harry glanced back at the photograph .Percy who was in his seventh and final year at Hogwarts was looking particularly smug .He had pinned his Head Boy badge to the fez perched jauntily on top of his neat hair his hornrimmed glasses flashing in the Egyptian sun .Harry now turned to his present and unwrapped it .Inside was what looked like a miniature glass spinning top .There was another note from Ron beneath it .Harry this is a Pocket Sneakoscope .If theres someone untrustworthy around its supposed to light up and spin .Bill says its rubbish sold for wizard tourists and isnt reliable because it kept lighting up at dinner last night .But he didnt realize Fred and George had put beetles in his soup .Bye Ron Harry put the Pocket Sneakoscope on his bedside table where it stood quite still balanced on its point reflecting the luminous hands of his clock .He looked at it happily for a few seconds then picked up the parcel Hedwig had brought .Inside this too there was a wrapped present a card and a letter this time from Hermione .Dear Harry Ron wrote to me and told me about his phone call to your Uncle Vernon .I do hope youre all right .Im on holiday in France at the moment and I didnt know how I was going to send this to you what if theyd opened it at customs ?but then Hedwig turned up !I think she wanted to make sure you got something for your birthday for a change .I bought your present by owlorder there was an advertisement in the Daily Prophet Ive been getting it delivered its so good to keep up with whats going on in the wizarding world .Did you see that picture of Ron and his family a week ago ?I bet hes learning loads .Im really jealous the ancient Egyptian wizards were fascinating .Theres some interesting local history of witchcraft here too .Ive rewritten my whole History of Magic essay to include some of the things Ive found out .I hope its not too long its two rolls of parchment more than Professor Binns asked for .Ron says hes going to be in London in the last week of the holidays .Can you make it ?Will your aunt and uncle let you come ?I really hope you can .If not Ill see you on the Hogwarts Express on September first !Love from Hermione PS .Ron says Percys Head Boy .Ill bet Percys really pleased .Ron doesnt seem too happy about it .Harry laughed as he put Hermione s letter aside and picked up her present .It was very heavy .Knowing Hermione he was sure it would be a large book full of very difficult spells but it wasnt .His heart gave a huge bound as he ripped back the paper and saw a sleek black leather case with silver words stamped across it reading Broomstick Servicing Kit .Wow Hermione !Harry whispered unzipping the case to look inside .There was a large jar of Fleetwoods HighFinish Handle Polish a pair of gleaming silver TailTwig Clippers a tiny brass compass to clip on your broom for long journeys and a Handbook of DoItYourself Broomcare .Apart from his friends the thing that Harry missed most about Hogwarts was Quidditch the most popular sport in the magical world highly dangerous very exciting and played on broomsticks .Harry happened to be a very good Quidditch player he had been the youngest person in a century to be picked for one of the Hogwarts House teams .One of Harrys most prized possessions was his Nimbus Two Thousand racing broom .Harry put the leather case aside and picked up his last parcel .He recognized the untidy scrawl on the brown paper at once this was from Hagrid the Hogwarts gamekeeper .He tore off the top layer of paper and glimpsed something green and leathery but before he could unwrap it properly the parcel gave a strange quiver and whatever was inside it snapped loudly as though it had jaws .Harry froze .He knew that Hagrid would never send him anything dangerous on purpose but then Hagrid didnt have a normal persons view of what was dangerous .Hagrid had been known to befriend giant spiders buy vicious threeheaded dogs from men in pubs and sneak illegal dragon eggs into his cabin .Harry poked the parcel nervously .It snapped loudly again .Harry reached for the lamp on his bedside table gripped it firmly in one hand and raised it over his head ready to strike .Then he seized the rest of the wrapping paper in his other hand and pulled .And out fell a book .Harry just had time to register its handsome green cover emblazoned with the golden title The Monster Book of Monsters before it flipped onto its edge and scuttled sideways along the bed like some weird crab .Uhoh Harry muttered .The book toppled off the bed with a loud clunk and shuffled rapidly across the room .Harry followed it stealthily .The book was hiding in the dark space under his desk .Praying that the Dursleys were still fast asleep Harry got down on his hands and knees and reached toward it .Ouch !The book snapped shut on his hand and then flapped past him still scuttling on its covers .Harry scrambled around threw himself forward and managed to flatten it .Uncle Vernon gave a loud sleepy grunt in the room next door .Hedwig and Errol watched interestedly as Harry clamped the struggling book tightly in his arms hurried to his chest of drawers and pulled out a belt which he buckled tightly around it .The Monster Book shuddered angrily but could no longer flap and snap so Harry threw it down on the bed and reached for Hagrids card .Dear Harry Happy birthday !Think you might find this useful for next year .Wont say no more here .Tell you when I see you .Hope the Muggles are treating you right .All the best Hagrid It struck Harry as ominous that Hagrid thought a biting book would come in useful but he put Hagrids card up next to Rons and Hermiones grinning more broadly than ever .Now there was only the letter from Hogwarts left .Noticing that it was rather thicker than usual Harry slit open the envelope pulled out the first page of parchment within and read Dear Mr Potter Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first .The Hogwarts Express will leave from Kings Cross station platform nine and three quarters at eleven oclock .Third years are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade on certain weekends .Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or guardian to sign .A list of books for next year is enclosed .Yours sincerely Professor M .McGonagall Deputy Headmistress Harry pulled out the Hogsmeade permission form and looked at it no longer grinning .It would be wonderful to visit Hogsmeade on weekends he knew it was an entirely wizarding village and he had never set foot there .But how on earth was he going to persuade Uncle Vernon or Aunt Petunia to sign the form ?He looked over at the alarm clock .It was now two oclock in the morning .Deciding that hed worry about the Hogsmeade form when he woke up Harry got back into bed and reached up to cross off another day on the chart hed made for himself counting down the days left until his return to Hogwarts .Then he took off his glasses and lay down eyes open facing his three birthday cards .Extremely unusual though he was at that moment Harry Potter felt just like everyone else glad for the first time in his life that it was his birthday .AUNT MARGES BIG MISTAKE Harry went down to breakfast the next morning to find the three Dursleys already sitting around the kitchen table .They were watching a brandnew television a welcomehomeforthesummer present for Dudley who had been complaining loudly about the long walk between the fridge and the television in the living room .Dudley had spent most of the summer in the kitchen his piggy little eyes fixed on the screen and his five chins wobbling as he ate continually .Harry sat down between Dudley and Uncle Vernon a large beefy man with very little neck and a lot of mustache .Far from wishing Harry a happy birthday none of the Dursleys made any sign that they had noticed Harry enter the room but Harry was far too used to this to care .He helped himself to a piece of toast and then looked up at the reporter on the television who was halfway through a report on an escaped convict .The public is warned that Black is armed and extremely dangerous .A special hot line has been set up and any sighting of Black should be reported immediately .No need to tell us hes no good snorted Uncle Vernon staring over the top of his newspaper at the prisoner .Look at the state of him the filthy layabout !Look at his hair !He shot a nasty look sideways at Harry whose untidy hair had always been a source of great annoyance to Uncle Vernon .Compared to the man on the television however whose gaunt face was surrounded by a matted elbowlength tangle Harry felt very well groomed indeed .The reporter had reappeared .The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will announce today Hang on !barked Uncle Vernon staring furiously at the reporter .You didnt tell us where that maniacs escaped from !What use is that ?Lunatic could be coming up the street right now !Aunt Petunia who was bony and horsefaced whipped around and peered intently out of the kitchen window .Harry knew Aunt Petunia would simply love to be the one to call the hot line number .She was the nosiest woman in the world and spent most of her life spying on the boring lawabiding neighbors .When will they learn said Uncle Vernon pounding the table with his large purple fist that hangings the only way to deal with these people ?Very true said Aunt Petunia who was still squinting into next doors runner beans .Uncle Vernon drained his teacup glanced at his watch and added Id better be off in a minute Petunia .Marges train gets in at ten .Harry whose thoughts had been upstairs with the Broomstick Servicing Kit was brought back to earth with an unpleasant bump .Aunt Marge ?he blurted out .Sh shes not coming here is she ?Aunt Marge was Uncle Vernons sister .Even though she was not a blood relative of Harrys whose mother had been Aunt Petunias sister he had been forced to call her Aunt all his life .Aunt Marge lived in the country in a house with a large garden where she bred bulldogs .She didnt often stay at Privet Drive because she couldnt bear to leave her precious dogs but each of her visits stood out horribly vividly in Harrys mind .At Dudleys fifth birthday party Aunt Marge had whacked Harry around the shins with her walking stick to stop him from beating Dudley at musical statues .A few years later she had turned up at Christmas with a computerized robot for Dudley and a box of dog biscuits for Harry .On her last visit the year before Harry started at Hogwarts Harry had accidentally trodden on the tail of her favorite dog .Ripper had chased Harry out into the garden and up a tree and Aunt Marge had refused to call him off until past midnight .The memory of this incident still brought tears of laughter to Dudleys eyes .Margell be here for a week Uncle Vernon snarled and while were on the subject he pointed a fat finger threateningly at Harry we need to get a few things straight before I go and collect her .Dudley smirked and withdrew his gaze from the television .Watching Harry being bullied by Uncle Vernon was Dudleys favorite form of entertainment .Firstly growled Uncle Vernon youll keep a civil tongue in your head when youre talking to Marge .All right said Harry bitterly if she does when shes talking to me .Secondly said Uncle Vernon acting as though he had not heard Harrys reply as Marge doesnt know anything about your abnormality I dont want any any funny stuff while shes here .You behave yourself got me ?I will if she does said Harry through gritted teeth .And thirdly said Uncle Vernon his mean little eyes now slits in his great purple face weve told Marge you attend St .Brutuss Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys .What ?Harry yelled .And youll be sticking to that story boy or therell be trouble spat Uncle Vernon .Harry sat there whitefaced and furious staring at Uncle Vernon hardly able to believe it .Aunt Marge coming for a weeklong visit it was the worst birthday present the Dursleys had ever given him including that pair of Uncle Vernons old socks .Well Petunia said Uncle Vernon getting heavily to his feet 111 be off to the station then .Want to come along for the ride Dudders ?No said Dudley whose attention had returned to the television now that Uncle Vernon had finished threatening Harry .Duddys got to make himself smart for his auntie said Aunt Petunia smoothing Dudleys thick blond hair .Mummys bought him a lovely new bow tie .Uncle Vernon clapped Dudley on his porky shoulder .See you in a bit then he said and he left the kitchen .Harry who had been sitting in a kind of horrified trance had a sudden idea .Abandoning his toast he got quickly to his feet and followed Uncle Vernon to the front door .Uncle Vernon was pulling on his car coat .Im not taking you he snarled as he turned to see Harry watching him .Like I wanted to come said Harry coldly .I want to ask you something .Uncle Vernon eyed him suspiciously .Third years at Hog at my school are allowed to visit the village sometimes said Harry .So ?snapped Uncle Vernon taking his car keys from a hook next to the door .I need you to sign the permission form said Harry in a rush .And why should I do that ?sneered Uncle Vernon .Well said Harry choosing his words carefully itll be hard work pretending to Aunt Marge I go to that St .Whatsits St .Brutuss Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys !bellowed Uncle Vernon and Harry was pleased to hear a definite note of panic in Uncle Vernons voice .Exactly said Harry looking calmly up into Uncle Vernons large purple face .Its a lot to remember .Ill have to make it sound convincing wont I ?What if I accidentally let something slip ?Youll get the stuffing knocked out of you wont you ?roared Uncle Vernon advancing on Harry with his fist raised .But Harry stood his ground .Knocking the stuffing out of me wont make Aunt Marge forget what I could tell her he said grimly .Uncle Vernon stopped his fist still raised his face an ugly puce .But if you sign my permission form Harry went on quickly I swear Ill remember where Im supposed to go to school and Ill act like a Mug like Im normal and everything .Harry could tell that Uncle Vernon was thinking it over even if his teeth were bared and a vein was throbbing in his temple .Right he snapped finally .I shall monitor your behavior carefully during Marges visit .If at the end of it youve toed the line and kept to the story Ill sign your ruddy form .He wheeled around pulled open the front door and slammed it so hard that one of the little panes of glass at the top fell out .Harry didnt return to the kitchen .He went back upstairs to his bedroom .If he was going to act like a real Muggle hed better start now .Slowly and sadly he gathered up all his presents and his birthday cards and hid them under the loose floorboard with his homework .Then he went to Hedwigs cage .Errol seemed to have recovered he and Hedwig were both asleep heads under their wings .Harry sighed then poked them both awake .Hedwig he said gloomily youre going to have to clear off for a week .Go with Errol .Ronll look after you .Ill write him a note explaining .And dont look at me like that Hedwigs large amber eyes were reproachful its not my fault .Its the only way Ill be allowed to visit Hogsmeade with Ron and Hermione .Ten minutes later Errol and Hedwig who had a note to Ron bound to her leg soared out of the window and out of sight .Harry now feeling thoroughly miserable put the empty cage away inside the wardrobe .But Harry didnt have long to brood .In next to no time Aunt Petunia was shrieking up the stairs for Harry to come down and get ready to welcome their guest .Do something about your hair !Aunt Petunia snapped as he reached the hall .Harry couldnt see the point of trying to make his hair lie flat .Aunt Marge loved criticizing him so the untidier he looked the happier she would be .All too soon there was a crunch of gravel outside as Uncle Vernons car pulled back into the driveway then the clunk of the car doors and footsteps on the garden path .Get the door !Aunt Petunia hissed at Harry .A feeling of great gloom in his stomach Harry pulled the door open .On the threshold stood Aunt Marge .She was very like Uncle Vernon large beefy and purplefaced she even had a mustache though not as bushy as his .In one hand she held an enormous suitcase and tucked under the other was an old and eviltempered bulldog .Wheres my Dudders ?roared Aunt Marge .Wheres my neffypoo ?Dudley came waddling down the hall his blond hair plastered flat to his fat head a bow tie just visible under his many chins .Aunt Marge thrust the suitcase into Harrys stomach knocking the wind out of him seized Dudley in a tight onearmed hug and planted a large kiss on his cheek .Harry knew perfectly well that Dudley only put up with Aunt Marges hugs because he was well paid for it and sure enough when they broke apart Dudley had a crisp twentypound note clutched in his fat fist .Petunia !shouted Aunt Marge striding past Harry as though he was a hat stand .Aunt Marge and Aunt Petunia kissed or rather Aunt Marge bumped her large jaw against Aunt Petunias bony cheekbone .Uncle Vernon now came in smiling jovially as he shut the door .Tea Marge ?he said .And what will Ripper take ?Ripper can have some tea out of my saucer said Aunt Marge as they all proceeded into the kitchen leaving Harry alone in the hall with the suitcase .But Harry wasnt complaining any excuse not to be with Aunt Marge was fine by him so he began to heave the case upstairs into the spare bedroom taking as long as he could .By the time he got back to the kitchen Aunt Marge had been supplied with tea and fruitcake and Ripper was lapping noisily in the corner .Harry saw Aunt Petunia wince slightly as specks of tea and drool flecked her clean floor .Aunt Petunia hated animals .Whos looking after the other dogs Marge ?Uncle Vernon asked .Oh Ive got Colonel Fubster managing them boomed Aunt Marge .Hes retired now good for him to have something to do .But I couldnt leave poor old Ripper .He pines if hes away from me .Ripper began to growl again as Harry sat down .This directed Aunt Marges attention to Harry for the first time .So !she barked .Still here are you ?Yes said Harry .Dont you say ‘yes in that ungrateful tone Aunt Marge growled .Its damn good of Vernon and Petunia to keep you .Wouldnt have done it myself .Youd have gone straight to an orphanage if youd been dumped on my doorstep .Harry was bursting to say that hed rather live in an orphanage than with the Dursleys but the thought of the Hogsmeade form stopped him .He forced his face into a painful smile .Dont you smirk at me !boomed Aunt Marge .I can see you havent improved since I last saw you .I hoped school would knock some manners into you .She took a large gulp of tea wiped her mustache and said Where is it that you send him again Vernon ?St .Brutuss said Uncle Vernon promptly .Its a firstrate institution for hopeless cases .I see said Aunt Marge .Do they use the cane at St .Brutuss boy ?she barked across the table .Er Uncle Vernon nodded curtly behind Aunt Marges back .Yes said Harry .Then feeling he might as well do the thing properly he added all the time .Excellent said Aunt Marge .I wont have this nambypamby wishywashy nonsense about not hitting people who deserve it .A good thrashing is whats needed in ninetynine cases out of a hundred .Have you been beaten often ?Oh yeah said Harry loads of times .Aunt Marge narrowed her eyes .I still dont like your tone boy she said .If you can speak of your beatings in that casual way they clearly arent hit