Chapter 25
Author's Notes: Hello everyone, it is once again time for that latest chapter update. A bit of twist's here and there, but to those who sent in their reviews to me thank you very much; they are much appreciated. It is slowly coming to a close now that the twins are slowly discovering the answers over the Chamber of Secrets, but there will be a little change near the ending….Blaise Zabini will be there with Ron, helping him take care of Gilderoy Lockhart (evil grin on face). On with the story.
Disclaimer: No, I do not own the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling does; only a select few characters are from my own creation.
Chapter 25 Cornelius Fudge & Malfoy and the attack of the Possum Bulb
Harry, Hally, Blaise, Ron and Hermione had always known that Hagrid had an unfortunate liking for large and monstrous creatures…Hally in particular. During their first year at Hogwarts he had tried to raise a dragon before the twins received their own luck dragon hatchlings in his little wooden house, and it would be a long time before they forgot the giant, three-headed dog he'd christened "Fluffy." And if, as a boy, Hagrid had heard that a monster was hidden somewhere in the castle, Harry and Hally both was sure he'd have gone to any lengths for a glimpse of it. He'd 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 and Hally could just imagine the thirteen-year-old Hagrid trying to fit a leash and collar on it. But they was equally certain that Hagrid would never have meant to kill anybody.
The twins wished they hadn't found out how to work Riddle's diary. Again and again Ron, Blaise, and Hermione made them recount what they had seen, until they was heartily sick of telling them and sick of the long, circular conversation that followed.
"Riddle might have got the wrong person," said Hermione. "Maybe it was some other monster that was attacking people…."
"How many monsters d'you think this place can hold?" Ron asked dully.
"We always knew Hagrid had been expelled," Harry and Hally stated miserably. "And the attacks must've stopped after Hagrid was kicked out. Otherwise, Riddle wouldn't 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 don't blame him for wanting to stay here…." Hally added, her voice trailing off
"You two met Hagrid down Knockturn Alley, didn't you Harry?"
"He was buying Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent," said Harry.
"And he was carrying it when we met up with him," said Hally.
The five 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?"
"That'd be a cheerful visit," said Ron. "Hello, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately?"
It could not be helped at that moment when they heard Ron's remark. Harry, Hally, Blaise, and Hermione had all bursted into laughter.
In the end however, 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 or attackers, whoever they were, had retired for good. Peeves had finally got bored of his "Oh, Potters, you rotters" song, Ernie Macmillan asked Harry and Hally both quite politely to pass a bucket of leaping toadstools in Herbology one day, and in March several 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 other's pots, we'll know they're fully mature," she told Harry and Hally, who already knew that information. "Then we'll be able to revive those poor people in the hospital wing. Until then, Hally get ready. You'll be demonstrating on how to transplant Possum Bulbs."
Hally smiled with her eyes dancing with excited anticipation while Harry gave her a wary glance.
"Uh, Possum Bulbs?" He asked Professor Sprout
"You heard correctly Mr. Potter…perhaps we'll have you help with the demonstration since your sister will be needing two pairs of helping hands." Professor Sprout suggested as she led them into the greenhouse to begin the day's lesson.
Soon the classes were full with the usual students with an exception…both Ravenclaw house and Slytherin house second years were also present since they all were given special notices to attend the Herbology class with the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor students. They all gathered on all sides of the tables, cramping each other's space until Professor Sprout got their attention.
"Good morning students," Professor Sprout greeted them in a loud and clear voice
"Good morning Professor," the students all chorused at once.
"Today is a special day, and since the Ravenclaws and the Slytherins has join our classroom for today, we will be learning to transplant Possum Bulbs." Professor Sprout announced
Every student except for Hally looked confused. "Miss. Potter will be showing us a demonstration on the proper way to transplant them along with the help of Mr. Potter, and one more helper here….Mr. Malfoy," Professor Sprout announced, beckoning the three forward to where she stood.
Harry, Hally, and a reluctant Draco Malfoy headed toward Professor Sprout. They stood with Hally standing in-between both her brother and Draco, who was glaring at one another with the looks of kill on their faces.
"Now boys, Miss. Potter will need both of your assistance since these plants are highly temperamental, so let us both contain ourselves." Professor Sprout told both Harry and Draco while Hally took a firm hold of the sapling that sat in front of her.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy please grasp the sapling firmly just as Miss. Potter is doing and on three, you all must pull up together. One…two…three pull!" Professor Sprout spoke out after Harry and Draco each took a firm hold of the sapling next.
Their hands shook as they seen the sapling struggle hard, then heard a strange chucking sound coming from it. Hally quickly grabbed a bigger pot, setting it under the sapling.
"Now then, firmly place the sapling into the pot…very good," Professor Sprout commented proudly as she watched Hally cover the sapling up with fresh soil and fertilizer.
"Well, done. Ten points each to Gryffindor and Slytherin for a job well done." Professor Sprout announced as the three headed back to their place at the table.
"That was cool Hal, even if Malfoy had to help," Harry whispered to his sister grinning before listening to Professor Sprout once more.
"All right now class. Three to a station this time, and remember to use teamwork on this project. I will be back shortly." Professor Sprout announced before stepping out of the greenhouse.
The students started to work on their projects, whispering to one another.
"These things looks worse than the Mandrakes," Ron said, making a face at the sapling. The sapling suddenly spitted soil out of its mouth at Ron.
The twins started sniggering along with Blaise and Hermione. "Oh shut up," Ron moaned before someone started speaking about a different topic.
"So Hally, enquiring minds want to know….when are you and Cedric going to out on a date this year?" several girls asked giggling
"Don't have time to this year," Hally answered, keeping her concentration as she reached for a bigger pot until she heard Draco Malfoy make a sneering remark.
"Yeah, especially when Diggory could be the next target out there…oh wait, unless he got tired of little Potter here and went for someone else perhaps?" Draco sneered out
"Shut up Malfoy!" Harry seethed in anger
"No. I know what let's fix your little sister up with someone else here Potter. How about Finnegan? The Irish region sound fascinating if you could dance their steps, or how about Longbottom? Heh, she'll scream in pain with that lard on top of her," Draco continued with his sneering while Hally started to fume in anger quietly, and also started to plot out her revenge.
Harry went to stalk around the table after Draco. "That's it Malfoy…."
"Let him go Harry. Your better than he is. You don't need the trouble," Hally intervened.
Harry looked at her with wide eyes until he figured out what she meant, grinning secretly and waiting for the moment.
Draco looked at her in surprise. "Heh, come on little Potter, do something to defend yourself at least here." He replied
Hally raised her eyes up at him while she took hold of the Possum Bulb in front of her. "All right I will. Here Malfoy CATCH!" she yelled out, throwing the Possum Bulb at him swiftly.
The next thing everyone knew, Draco caught the sapling, but lost control of handling the plant when it leaped onto him, shredding his robes, and school uniform.
"HELP! GET IT OFF!" Draco wailed out
The students roared into hysterical laughter, watching Draco in a wrestling match with the sapling.
"Threw a Possum Bulb At Mr. Malfoy! When are you going to learn that violence is not the way to take care of things Raven!" Severus demanded his question an hour later inside his office while Draco glared at the raven-red-streak-haired girl.
"I don't know what to say dad, except that I'm sorry Malfoy," Hally spoke out giving Draco a shock
"I'm sorry that it didn't chew off your face!" Hally spat out next
"Enough Raven….and don't think that I don't know about the comments you made young man! You're just as guilty as Raven here and you'll both be serving detention with me Tonight! Understand?" Severus questioned
"Yes dad," Hally answered him
"Yes Professor," Draco sighed in defeat
Severus allowed them to leave his office. "Found that funny…."
"Do me a favor Malfoy and keep your trap shut if you want to stay alive for the remainder of the year," Hally warned walking away from him
That evening they served their detention with Severus rearranging the Potions cupboard for at least two hours in silence.
The second years were given something to think about during their Easter Holidays. The time had come to choose their subjects for the third year, a matter that Hally and Hermione, at least, took very seriously.
"It could affect our whole future," both girls 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, teasing his twin sister big time.
"You do and I will get you good Harry James...Harry! You stop that teasing! You know dad won't allow us to drop his subject," Hally giggled after realizing Harry's harmless joke.
Harry sniggered at her.
"Well I can't," Ron said gloomily. "We keep al our old subjects, or I'd've ditched Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"But that's very important!" said Hermione, shocked.
"Not the way Lockhart teaches it," said Ron. "I haven't learned anything from him except not to set pixies loose."
"We agree with Ron on that one," both twins blurted out, remembering that day very well.
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 nobody's advice but signed up for everything. Hally however, with the close eye from her brother Harry, focused on what subjects popped into her head, and chosed them wisely.
"Wait Hal! Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Astonomy?" Harry asked in bewilderment
"yeah Harry why?" Hally asked him quietly
"You usually don't...you've been having visions again haven't you Hal?" Harry asked in a whisper.
Hally could only nod at him. "Well, I could take Divination with you..."
"I've already been put in the advanced class for next year Harry. Professor Trelawney had already discussed it with dad and Professor Dumbledore, they both agreed and that's a first for anything between those two." Hally explained quietly
"Oh. Then I guess I could take Arithmancy and Astronomy with you...that is if you want some company," Harry offered with a grin
Hally gave him a smile, "Thanks big brother. I'm never tired with your company," Hally accepted
Harry smiled back at his sisters answer. If he stayed with the Dursley's or if their Aunt Petunia stayed with their Uncle Vernon, he would never had been able to talk wizardry with them. Not with them he wouldn't have the guidance: Percy Weasley was eager to share his experience with all of them.
"Depends where you want to go," Percy said. "It's never too early to think about the future, so I'd recommended Divination. People say Muggle Studies is a soft option, but I personally think Wizards should have a thorough of the non-magical community, particularly if they're thinking of working in close contact with them--look my father, he had to deal with Muggle business all the time. My brother Charlie was always more of an outdorr type, so he went for Care of Magical Creatures. Play to your strengths you two."
But the only thing Harry and Hally really felt good at was Quidditch, Potions, and Charms. In the end, Harry chose two subjects that were same to Hally's, and keeping his promise to Ron chose the same subjects as him, feeling that if he was lousy at them, at least he'd have someone friendly to help him. Hally had done the same in favor of Harry asking her to.
Gryffindor's next Quidditch match would be against Hufflpuff. Wood was insisting on team practices every night after dinner, so that Harry nor Hally barely had time for anything but Quidditch and homework. However, the training sessions were getting better, or at least drier, and the evening before Saturday's match they went up to Harry's dormitory to drop off Harry's broomstick after dropping Hally's off inside her dorm feeling Gryffindor's chances for the Quidditch cup had never been better.
But their cheerful mood didn't last long. At the top of the stairs leading to the boys dorms, they met Neville Longbottom, who was looking frantic.
"Harry, Hally--I don't know who did it--I just found out--"
Watching Harry and Hally fearfully, Neville pushed open the door.
The contents of Harry's trunk had been thrown everywhere. His cloak lay ripped on the floor. The bedclothes had been pulled off his four-poster and the drawer had been pulled out of his beside cabinet, the contents strewn over the mattress.
Harry walked over to the bed, open-mouthed, treading on a few loose pages of Travels with Trolls. As he, Hally and Nevill 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 Harry's robes. All the pockets were hanging out.
"Someone's been looking for something," said Ron. "Is there anything missing?"
Harry started to pick up all his things with Hally's help and throw them into his trunk. It was only as he threw the last of Lockhart books back into it that he realized what wasn't there.
"Riddle's diary's gone," he said in an undertone to Ron and Hally both.
"What?"
Harry jerked his head toward the dormitory door and Ron and Hally followed him out. They hurried down to the Gryffindor common room, which was half-empty; 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 and Hally both.
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 team's plates with scrambled eggs. "Harry, Hally buck up there you two. you both need a decent breakfast."
Both twins had been staring down the packed Gryffindor table, wondering if the new owner of Riddle's diary was right in front of their eyes. Hermione had been urging them to report the robbery, but they didn't like the idea. They'd have to tell a teacher all about the diary, and how many people knew why Hagrid had been expelled fifty years ago? They didn't want to be the ones who brought it all up again.
As they left the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione to go and collect their Quidditch things, another very serious worry was added to Harry and Hally's growing lists. They had just set foot on the marble staircase when they heard it yet again--
"Kill this time...let me rip...tear..."
They shouted aloud and Ron and Hermione both jumped away from them in alarm.
"The voice!" the twins said, looking over their shoulders. "We just heard it again--didn't you two?"
Ron shook his head, wide-eyed. Hermione, however, clapped a hand to her forehead.
"Harry, Hally--I think I've just understood something! I've got to go to the library!"
And she sprinted away, up the stairs.
"What does she understand?" Said the twins distractedly, still looking around, trying to tell where the voice had come from.
"Loads more than I do," said Ron, shaking his head.
"But why's she got to go to the library?"
"Because that's what Hermione does," said Ron, shrugging. "When in doubt, go to the library."
Harry and Hally stood, irresolute, trying to catch the voice again, but people were now emerging from the Great Hall behind them, talking loudly, exiting through the front doors on their way to the Quidditch pitch.
"You two better get going" said Ron. "It's nearly eleven--the match--
The twins raced up to Gryffindor Tower, collected their Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones, and joined the large crowd swarming across the grounds, but their minds was stil in the castlea along with the bodiless voice, and as they pulled on their scarlet robes in the locker room, their only comfort was that everyone was now outside to watch the game.
The teams walked onto the field t tumultuous applause. Oliver Wood took off for a warm-up flight around the goal posts; Madam Hooch released the balls. The Hufflpuffs, who played in canary yellow, were standing in a huddle, having a last-minute discussion of tactics.
Harry and Hally was just mounting their brooms when Professor McGonagall came half marching, half running across the pitch, carrying an enormous purple megaphone.
The twins' hearts 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. "We've 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 their House common rooms, where their Heads of Houses will give them further information. As quickly as you can, please!"
Then she lowered her megaphone and beckoned both Harry and Hally over to her.
"Potters, I think you two better come with me..."
Wondering how she could possibly suspect them this time, Harry and Hally both saw Ron detach himself from the complaining crowd; he came running up to them as they set off toward the castle. Blaise noticed as well running to join them. To the twin's surprise, Professor McGonagall didn't object.
"Yes, perhaps you two better come, too, Weasley, Zabini..."
Some of the students swarming around them were grumbling about the match being canceled; others looked worried. Harry, Hally, Blaise, and Ron followed Professor McGonagall back into the school and up the marble staircase. But they weren't taken to anybody's 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."
Harry and Hally's insides did a horrible somersault. Professor McGonagall pushed the door open and they, Ron and Blaise entered.
Madam Pomfrey was bending over a fifth-year girl with long, curly hair. Harry recognized her as a Ravenclaw he and Ron accidentally asked for directions to the Slytherin common room. And on the bed next to her was--
"Hermione!" Ron groaned.
Hermione lay utterly still, her eyes open and glassy.
"They were found near the library," said Professor McGonagall. "I don't suppose either one of you four can explain this? It was on the floor next to them..."
She was holding up a small, circular mirror.
Harry, Hally, Blaise, and Ron shook their heads, staring at Hermione.
"I will escort you three back to Gryffindor Tower, and Professor Snape will escort Miss Zabini back to Slytherin," said Professor McGonagall heavily. "I need to address the students in any case."
"All students will return to their House common rooms by six o'clock 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 come forward."
She climbed somewhat awkwardly out of the portrait hole, and the Gryffindors began talking immediately.
"That's two Gryffindors down, not counting a Gryffindor ghost, one Ravenclaw, and one Hufflepuff," said the Weasley twins' friend Lee Jordan, counting on his fingers. "haven't any of the teachers noticed that the Slytherins are all safe? Isn't it obvious all this stuff's coming from Slytherin? The heir of Slytherin, the monster of Slytherin--why don't they 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 didn't seem keen to make his views heard. He was looking pale and stunned.
"Percy's in shock," George told Harry and Hally quietly. "That Ravenclaw girl--Penelope Clearwater--she's a prefect. I don't think he thought the monster would dare attack a prefect."
But the twin's were only half-listening. They didn't 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 wasn't caught soon, they was going to go back home by their father's orders and be kept a close eye on by the family house-elves. Tom Riddle had turned Hagrid in because he was faced with the prospect of a Muggle orphanage if the school closed. The twins now knew exactly how he had felt.
"What're we going to do?" said Ron quietly to the twins. "D'you think they suspect Hagrid?"
"We've got to go and talk to him," said Harry, making up his mind. "I can't believe it's him this time. But if he set the monster loose last time he'll know how to get inside the Chamber of Secrets, and that's a start."
Hally nodded in agreement with Harry.
"But McGonagall said we've got to stay in our tower unless we're in class--"
"I think," said Harry, more quietly still, "It's time to get our dad's old cloak out again."
"I'll get mum's ring," Hally whispered, knowing that Blaise will be joining them and it would be crowded inside Harry's cloak.
The twins had inherited just one thing each from their parents: a long and silvery Invisibility Cloak and a jeweled Invisibility Ring. 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, met up with each other, with Hally slipping on the ring and Harry throwing the cloak over themselves.
They headed out of the common room into the darkened Gryffindor hall to their destination, but stopping just at the staircase leading down to the Slytherin common, waiting until they seen Blaise sneak up the staircase.
"Blaise, under here," Harry whispered out to her, showing her where he was. Blaise quickly slipped under the cloak.
"Where's Hally..." "Here Blaise," Hally whispered as they made their way to where they were headed.
The journey through the dark and deserted castle corridors wasn't enjoyable. The twins 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 Invisibilty Cloak and ring didn't stop them making any noise, and there was a particularly tense moment when Ron stubbed his toe only yards from the spot where Severus Snape stood standing guard. Thankfully, Severus 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 while Hally slipped off her ring, tucking it safely away inside her pocket when they were right outside his front door.
Seconds after they had knocked, Hagrid flung it open. They found themsleves face-to-face 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 four doin' here?"
"What's that for?" said Harry and Hally, both pointing at the crossbow as they stepped inside.
"Nothin'--nothin'--" Hagrid muttered. "I've bin expectin'--doesn' matter--Sit down--I'll 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 and Hally at once. "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 each large mugs of boiling water (he 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, Hally, Blaise, and Ron exchanged panic-stricken looks, then threw the Invisibility Cloak over him Ron and Blaise, while Hally quickly took out her ring slipping it on her finger once more. they all 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 pinstripe suit, a scarlet tie, a long black cloak, and pointed purple boots. Under his arm he carried a lime-green bowler.
"That's Dad's 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 Muggle-borns. Things've gone far enough. Ministry's 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 had my full confidence," said Dumbledore, frowning at Fudge.
"Look, Albus," said Fudge, uncomfortably. "Hagrid's record's against him. Ministry's 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 fire Harry and Hally had never seen before.
"Look at it from my point of view," said Fudge, fidgeting with his bowler. "I'm under a lot of pressure. Got to be seen to be doing something. If it turns out it wasn't Hagrid, he'll be back and no more said. But I've got to take him. Got to. Wouldn't 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, you'll 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 Harry's turn for an elbow in the ribs; he'd let out an audible gasp. Hally quickly covered her mouth in order to remain silent.
Mr. Lucius Malfoy strode into Hagrid's 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..."
"What're 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--d'you 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 it's time for you to step aside. This is an Order of Suspension--you'll find all twelve signatures on it. I'm afraid we feel you're losing your touch. How many attacks have there been now? Two more this afternoon, wasn't it? At this rate, there'll be no Muggle-borns 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 can't 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 won't 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 Muggle-borns won' stand a chance! There'll 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.
"No!" growled Hagrid.
Dumbledore had not taken his bright blue eyes off Lucius Malfoy's 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 the 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 and Hally was almost sure Dumbledore's eyes flickered toward the corner where they, Ron and Blaise 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 they'd have ter do would be ter follow the spiders. That'd lead 'em right! That's all I'm sayin'."
Fudge stared at him in amazement.
"All right, I'm comin'," 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' someone'll need ter feed Fang while I'm away."
The door banged shut and Ron pulled off the Invisibility Cloak.
"We're in trouble now," he said hoarsely. "No Dumbledore. They might as well close the school tonight. There'll be an attack a day with him gone.
Fang started howling, scratching at the closed door.
A/N: that is all for chapter 25. see you in chapter 26 bye for now.