CHAPTER 21: SURPRISES

(Sorry I haven't updated in a long while… stuff happens…)

Harry awoke on Boxing Day to the feeling of something burrowing on his head.

It was Simon, who was making a nest of Harry's messy hair.

"Oh, go ahead, Simon, make yourself comfortable, then."

Just then, Hedwig, whom Harry had sent to Hagrid with a Christmas gift, came soaring through Harry's open window. A small box was attached to her foot, along with a card and a familiar-looking letter. Addressed in green ink, Harry recognized at once that the letter was an official Hogwart's letter. He decided to open the card first.

Hagrid's messy scrawl was barely legible, but Harry made out the words:

To Harry, Hermione, and Ron:

Sent yer owl back with a present fer all o' yeh. Think yeh'll like it. Don' be surprised about the other letter, it's from Dumbledore. (But it's not bad.) Thanks, Harry, fer the book on dragons… I really like it. Hafta tell yeh all somethin' bout Madeline Lecour when yeh all git back ter Hogwart's. Oh, by the way, Merry Christmas.

Hagrid.

Harry pocketed the card; he'd show it to Hermione and Ron later. Next, he reached for the letter.

Dear Mr. Harry Potter, Miss Hermione Granger, and Mr. Ronald Weasley,

It is most imperative that the headmaster speak with you upon your return to Hogwart's. Immediately following the return of the Hogwart's Express, please report to Professor Dumbledore's office. He will be waiting for you. Thank you.

Professor Albus Dumbledore.

Harry wondered what Dumbledore could need to talk to all three of them about. Were they in trouble? He went for the box from Hagrid.

It was a ring. The stone on top was deep ruby in color. Attached to the box was a small square of parchment, upon which tiny, but neat, writing said:

"Congratulations. You are now the owner of a high-quality, genuine Glumeba Ring. The Glumeba Ring is for use with an Invisibility Cloak. The Ring will make you completely silent and all solidity will be lost. Essentially, another person would be able to walk through the wearer of this Ring. If you want to be invisible, silent, and non-solid, you are in luck, for you are now the proud possessor of a Glumeba."

Curious, Harry dug his Invisibility Cloak out of his trunk. Then, he put the ring on. Sure enough, Harry walked right through the bed. As the solid object passed through his non-existent body, Harry felt an odd, cold, tingling sensation. He wondered why Hagrid would think this ring would be useful.

As the ring officially belonged to both Ron and Hermione as well, Harry tucked it safely within the Invisibility Cloak and decided to show them later.

He descended the stairs to breakfast, where everyone sat, still jolly with Christmas cheer.

"Good Morrow, Harry!" Hermione's mother said jovially.

"Mor'ing, 'Arry!" Ron spat through a mouthful of sausage.

"Am I the last one up?" Harry inquired as he sat down and helped himself to bacon.

"No. My aunt and uncle and cousins are still sleeping." Hermione rolled her eyes towards the stairs.

After breakfast, Hermione and Harry decided to show Ron how a television worked.

"First of all, this is like the wand for telly, Ron." Hermione held up the remote control. "See?" She pressed the 'on' button. The screen flicked on. The BBC News was on.

Ron looked impressed. In fact, watching telly was all Ron wanted to do all day. So, Hermione and Harry let him.

"Hermione, I want to show you something." Harry beckoned Hermione up to his room.

He showed her the ring and the letters.

"Why do you supposed he'd think it was important?" Hermione asked, examining the ring closely.

Harry shrugged. "I guess we'll find out when we go back to school."

They did find out. When the Hogwart's Express had returned to school, Hermione, Harry, and Ron headed for Dumbledore's office. Sure enough, he was waiting outside, checking his watch.

"Ah, Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley… step into my office, please." He led the way as the three friends exchanged worried looks.

Dumbledore sat at his desk.

"Hello, Fawkes," Harry said. Fawkes was Dumbledore's Phoenix. In fact, the Phoenix feather at the core of Harry's wand came from Fawkes.

Dumbledore gestured to three chairs in front of his desk. He combed his long beard with his fingers thoughtfully.

"I don't know how to say this, exactly…"

Ron twiddled his thumbs nervously.

"Please, Professor, are we in trouble?" Hermione looked frightened.

Dumbledore chuckled. "No, no, my dear. Far from trouble… you see, the Ministry, Hogwart's…"

Harry pushed his glasses up onto his nose nervously.

"We need you. We need your help."

Hermione's eyes bugged out. Ron nearly fell off his chair.

"You need our help?!" Hermione gasped.

Dumbledore nodded. "Since the fall of Lord Voldemort, there have been some – er – clues… that would lead us to believe that there are some Death-Eaters left in the United States. We want you all to go over there, to work undercover as Muggles. We need you to be spies."

Ron did fall off his chair this time. Harry clapped a hand to her mouth. Hermione grinned from ear to ear.

"You want us to be spies?" Harry repeated.

Dumbledore nodded, smiling slightly. "You agree?"

The three looked at each other and nodded.

"Of course." Harry grinned.

"Yes, sir!" Ron exclaimed.

"Unquestionably!" Hermione couldn't stop smiling.

"Here are the details." Dumbledore rose and walked to the door. "Come in, Minerva."

Professor McGonagall entered, smiling pleasantly. "They agreed, Albus?"

Dumbledore nodded.

Professor McGonagall swelled as though she were a drill sergeant. "Right. Here's the plan. We send the three of you on an airplane to the United States. You will take a Muggle train to a small town in the state of Montana. There, in a large, deserted valley, lies one of the largest schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the US. It's called Micksmeyer School of Magic. Like the Quidditch World Cup stadium, this school is protected by anti-Muggle memory charms that make them remember something important just as they arrive. However, since you are all magical, you will be able to see the large school. It's not a castle like Hogwart's, but a massive marble palace built 150 years ago. Micksmeyer, like Durmstrang, does not admit students of Muggle descent. Therefore, even though you'll have your Invisibility Cloak and the Glumeba Ring to sneak around at night, you'll have to be careful, Granger. They'll know." She looked around at all of them. "Unlike Hogwart's, Micksmeyer has only one house. They just call themselves the Micksmeyers. They've got a student there named Ruby Redenblue." She pulled out a moving picture, which showed a giggling girl with gorgeous wavy blonde hair and vividly blue eyes. Her face, which had chiseled features, was flawless. Her smile was perfect. She had astonishingly straight teeth and a little ski-jump nose. She was striking poses just like a model. Professor McGonagall continued, ignoring Ron's enthusiastic 'whoa!', saying, "Ruby's a fifth-year. That's why we've picked you. She's got parents who are suspected Death Eaters, but we need proof. You three will only be there for two weeks, but you've got to pretend you want to be friends with her. I've heard she's a nice girl, open to new friends. The most popular girl there by far. We just need her to reveal her secrets to you. You'll each be receiving one of these…"

She pulled out three watches. "They're actually sound recorders. We'll have a record of any confessions. We also have reason to believe that there is another possible hiding place at Micksmeyer. We think there's another Road to Nowhere. So, Harry, you'll need to take your book." She took a deep breath. "Right. You're all sure you want to do this, then? You can back out if you want."

Everyone nodded their agreement. "Yes, Professor. We'll do it." Hermione said confidently.

"Excellent." Professor McGonagall gave a sigh of relief. "Hagrid will escort the three of you to London today after lunch. You'll all need to pack your bags quickly. Hagrid will take you on the Underground to Heathrow Airport. Your flight is at five. You'll arrive at four in the morning local time, which's nine at night Montana time. Thank you. That will be all."

And they left, heading to Gryffindor Tower to pack their bags.