Chapter 4 Ears Behind the Bookcase

"Do you think that this library is bigger than the one in Hogwarts?" Harry heard Hermione ask from behind him with the usual large amount of books in her arm.

"Well she has the biggest collection of books on how to make joke shop's finest items." Greeted George and Fred as they emerged from the bookshelves behind Hermione and Ron. Both the Weasley twins were carrying at least a half a dozen books in their arms.

"And you're going to read all that?" Ron asked.

"O' come on Ron it's not like we've never read anything." Fred answered. A small whistle issued from George's pocket.

"We need to go check on the George Bombs." The twins echoed rushing out of the library.

"George Bombs?" Hermione repeated.

"They are naming their 'inventions' after themselves." Ron answered shaking his head. "Somehow they had managed to get hold of a investor a couple weeks ago, you know before school ended. Now they're more ambitious than ever to get the Weasley Wizard Wheezes started. They even bought me a new dress robe."

"You definitely needed one." Hermione said laughing picturing Ron's dress robe from last year. As usual Ron's ears turned to an unmistakable red.

The two followed Hermione to a nearby table where she had dumped the new pile of books. She was obviously re-doing all her summer homework.

"What does it mean by external magic?" Harry asked reading the golden title of a book on top of the pile.

"It's when you can use magic without using your wand."

"We all managed it once or twice so far." Hermione said. "But it's very hard to master. We usually perform it when we are extremely angry, frustrated, or when our subconscious wants us to... I want to study it more because very few people can master it. And it would be great if I can convince Corra to teach me how to master external magic. You, Harry, also need a bit of practice."

"Why me?"

"As I recall, you're the one that blew up your aunt the summer of our second year."

"Gees… Hermione you'd think that you'd get over something like that." Ron sighed. "Harry, let me see that map of yours for a minute."

Looking over the map again with Ron, Harry could see George and Fred were in their room; Bill was with Mr. Weasley in the living room; Ginny and Charlie were in the back garden; Lupin, Sirius, and Corra were in the lab; and Dido was with Mrs. Weasley in Percy's room.

"I wonder how Voldemort got hold of Percy?" Harry wondered out loud. Ron and Hermione twitched out of habit.

"Wasn't Percy supposed to have been in Asia?" Hermione replied.

"Ya, he got a owl about two weeks ago saying that the ministry needed a representative to a magical objects conference in Japan." Ron replied. "I feel sorry for him. His record is going to get stained big time."

"I don't think so, I mean he was under the Imperius curse. So it wasn't really his fault." Hermione reminded.

"I know, but Rita Skeeter was there." Harry added feeling sorry for Percy, having once been a target of Rita's articles he knew what Percy might be in for. "No matter what we have on her she'll definitely find a way to spread nasty rumors with that quill of hers."

"Can't argue with you there." Hermione agreed.

After leaving Hermione to her studies, Harry found himself strolling through the library helping Ron to look for a shrunken wizard's head.

"Remind me… Why are we doing this again?" Harry asked, quite curious as to know how Ron talked him into this in the first place.

"Because George and Fred said that it talks on its own, and I want to see it for my self." Ron answered in a matter-a-fact-tone not unlike the one that Hermione use.

Thinking to himself that Ron had been hanging out with Hermione for too long Harry asked again. "But why am I helping you?"

"Because you're my friend and you would really love to see me prove George and Fred wrong."

"Are you sure that the head even exists?"

"Not really."

"Well… Its not in the downstairs library that's for sure." Harry said after walking round its perimeter for the third time. "Maybe its upstairs."

"Are we allowed to go upstairs?"

"Think so, Corra never told us not to."

After climbing the spiral marble staircase they came upon the second floor of the library. It looked a lot like the first floor except for its size and the fact that the bookcases were of a darker shade of color. The whole floor made him feel uncomfortable. Harry had the impression that someone was watching him. With every breath he was sure that he could hear the books murmur that he was not suppose to be there.

"Harry… I found it." Ron's voice was barely a whisper, for it didn't seem right to talk in a regular tone.

"Where?" Harry whispered back.

"Follow me."

The two made their way through many bookcases and arrived at a small opening. Three glass display cases stood proudly in the center. One held a simple black crystal placed on white velvet. The second case held an overly large Faberge egg made exquisitely form thin wirings of gold, and platinum. The egg gave out an unmistakable red glow, which was enhanced by the black satin that it was placed upon. The third case held a shrunken head on a small navy pillow.

"It doesn't seem that I can even move on its own, let alone talk." Harry whispered to Ron.

"At least we found the thing." Ron stated.

"I'm going to question him tonight…"

"What did you say Ron?" Harry asked, puzzled.

"Nothing…why?"

"Shhhhhh…" Harry whispered, edging closer to his right, straining his ear so he could hear better.

"Tonight? Isn't it a bit soon?" The voice was Sirius', Harry's almost certain of it. Harry was also certain that the conversation was not meant to be heard, but listened closely anyway.

"You know very well the sooner the better." The second voice was Corra's.

"The poor boy has been through a lot."

"I know but he'll be through more if I don't ask now." Corra was stern.

Sirius sighed. "Well, how am I suppose to keep an eye on everyone in the house?"

"Well… My mail is coming in tonight…"

"No, I'm not going through all your mail for the past twelve years."

"I thought you liked going through my mail!" Corra's voice was a mixture of disappointment and innocence. A sudden rush of giggles was at Harry's throat, but luckily he was able to suppress it.

"It was only once!"

"…"

"Alright, three times. But that was all." Sirius said after a long pause.

"Then you're going to have to think of something." Corra sighed, walking away.

Harry and Ron looked at each other. The wizard's head lay undisturbed on its pillow in the glass case forgotten by the two.

* * *

"And what exactly were you two doing sneaking around listening to other people's private conversations?" Hermione scowled, after Harry explained to her what happened.

"We weren't sneaking, we were looking for something, but that's not the point. The point is that they are going to question Percy tonight. And that we might have to separate lots and lots of mail." Ron said trying to clarify things.

"Well, there must be a good reason that they don't want anyone to hear the conversation and questioning." Hermione explained.
"Can you think of any?" Ron asked.

"Er…not at the moment…"

"There's someone here that they can't trust." Harry stated conclusively. Hermione gave him a look of approval.

"Exactly!" She agreed.

"All the more reason that I should go tonight to see if I can hear something that will tell us who is not trustworthy." Harry added quite seriously.

"No!" It was a surprise how fast Hermione's 'Look of Approval' could turn into her 'Look of Great Disappointment'. "You're missing the point!"

"No, he's not! I agree with Harry a hundred percent!" Ron said nodding.

"Then you two go nose around. I will not be a part of this." Hermione stated. "Now if you'll excuse me. I will finish redoing my Transfiguration homework."

Harry and Ron left the library and retreated back into Harry's room.

"Seriously though, how many times do you think Hermione can redo her essay on the process of sand transfiguration?" Ron wondered out loud.

"Let her worry about that, we have to plan how I can overhear the conversation without being caught." Harry frowned, thinking that it would be so much easier if Hermione were there to help them plan.

"My room is connected to Percy's, so if you press your ear against the door you might be able to hear what they were saying." Ron suggested.

"I suppose you can say that I was tired and needed sleep as to explain my absence." Harry added.

"Wouldn't it be easier if I go? I mean it's my room after all."

"No, if you get caught Sirius might start to suspect you."

"Good point." Ron agreed.

"All right. So tonight I'll tell Sirius that I'm going to rest before dinner. Then I'll take my invisibility cloak and the map. Corra might come up any moment so I'll hide in your room and see if I hear anything, while you stay downstairs and make sure that no one checks up on me in my room. After I hear what we need to know I'll go back to my room," concluded Harry. This planning thing was easier than he thought.