Chapter Thirty-Seven: Research
Luna returned the next day with an armful of books. She and Harry both laughed at the expression of pure delight that crossed over my face. I ignored them—it wasn't the books I was really excited about, anyway. It was the chance to do something while I was stuck in that bed.
"I think there are a few more in the bag, but these are the only ones I found last night," she said.
"This is great," I said with a smile. "Thanks, Luna."
"Think I could help?" said Harry as she left.
"Of course," I said, passing him one of the books. I knew he was just as restless as I was, if not more so.
"What are we looking for exactly?"
"Any mention of old, goblin-made objects that might be found in Egypt or Greece."
Harry nodded, and we set to work. We didn't read very long before the healers came in for our physical therapy. It was frustrating how much it hurt to just lift my leg, to move at all in fact. Harry sent me encouraging smiles every time I groaned.
Each day passed like this—reading until we were interrupted by physical therapy, and occasionally sitting down with everyone else and getting reports on any new discoveries they made. Progress was very slow—after the break-in at his palace, and discovering who I really was, Voldemort had increased all of his security greatly.
"Didn't you say you had someone inside the Ministry, Gin?" I asked.
Ginny sighed. "Yes, but we haven't heard from him in ages."
"Jugson's probably just being careful," said George.
"But it's not like him to go so long without any contact."
"Wait, Jugson?" said Harry, raising his eyebrows. "The Death Eater?"
Ginny nodded. "We were skeptical at first, but he's earned our trust."
"Albert Jugson?" Draco mused. "He and my father were friends."
"My father never liked him," Daphne said with a frown. "Said he was sloppy and lazy. I never got the feeling he suspected him of being a traitor, though."
"Well, let's hope he's still not suspected," said Ginny. "If we can get in contact with him again, we can find out more about the new security measures at the Old Ministry, and possibly even Gringotts."
"What we really need is someone who can disable the security cameras," I said. "Even if we can get in there and beat the enchantments, it'll mean nothing if they can see our every move."
"We should go to London, then," Seamus piped up. "Me dad's there, helping the muggles fight against the Death Eaters. I'm sure he knows someone who can take care of those for us, or at least teach us."
"You shouldn't go alone," said Harry as Seamus stood.
"I'll go!" Daphne said, practically jumping out of her seat. "I've spent a good amount of time in the city, I know my way around."
"All right then, Miss Greengrass," Seamus held out his arm, "shall we?"
Daphne stifled a giggle as they walked out together. I resisted the urge to raise my eyebrows.
While everyone else was our observing our different potential targets, Harry and I continued to focus on research. As soon as we'd finish going through the books we had, Luna would bring us new ones. I had no idea where she was getting them, but soon our room looked like a very unorganized library.
After about a week, Harry closed his current book, Magical Fact and Fiction, with a loud grunt.
"This isn't working," he muttered. "I feel like we're looking for Flamel all over again."
"We found Flamel eventually," I said, turning the page in my book.
Harry sat up and picked up the next book in his pile. "Maybe we're focusing on the wrong thing. Why are we looking at Egypt and Greece again?"
"Because that's where You-Know-Who picked up the artifacts he's using."
"But maybe they're not from there," Harry said. "Maybe he stole them from a collector, like he did with Hepzibah Smith."
"Okay," I said, slowly putting down my book. "That would mean they could be from anywhere."
"They're probably still all goblin-made, and have some sort of significance, but I think we're looking at the wrong place."
I glanced at our pile of read books. "We should go through those again, broaden our focus—see if there's anything we dismissed because it wasn't from Egypt or Greece."
"Any way I can help?"
We both looked up. Draco had entered the room while we were talking and was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed.
"You can stack those into a neat pile by my bed, so I can reach them," I said.
He did so, smiling up at me occasionally. Harry opened his book and focused on it intently.
No, I hadn't confronted Draco yet. Even though I'd confided in Harry everything that had happened up to this point, I still didn't feel comfortable talking with Draco while he was in the room. At least he understood that, unlike some people.
"I'm going to talk to him, Ron!"
"When?" Ron demanded, a scowl on his face. "Before or after he kisses you again?"
"Merlin,you're impossible!"
"You two might want to keep it down," said Harry quietly. "These walls do echo, you know."
"I don't understand why you can't just talk to him right now!"
"Because I don't think Harry would enjoy being in the same room as that conversation."
"I don't enjoy being in the same room as this conversation," he mumbled.
Ron rounded on him. "Don't tell me you're siding with her!"
Harry groaned. "Do not try to make me pick sides."
"This is ridiculous! She should talk to him and put an end to this once and for all."
"I will, Ronald! Are you not listening to me?"
"No, I've been watching you," he said, his scowl deepening. "Every time he comes in the room, every time he speaks to you—I think the real reason you haven't talked to him yet is because you have feelings for him, and your feelings for me aren't as strong as I thought."
"Oh get over yourself!" I yelled. "It has nothing to do with you!"
"It has everything to do with me!"
Ron stormed out of the room. I let out a sound halfway between a growl and a sigh.
Harry hesitated a moment before speaking. "Do you have feelings—?"
"Shut up!"
He didn't need to be told twice. I picked up another book and buried my nose in it.
A/N: A little short, but it's a chapter! I have some exciting things planned for the future, so keep reading! :D