The room was bright and airy, and filled with books. Harry and
Hermione began scanning titles: Confidence: How to Make Your Spells Stick;
Recovering from Spell-Backlash; Ten Ways to Make Your Spells Last; Changing
What You Know Will Happen; The Power Inside.they were all like that.
Hermione shook her head. "Some of these seem impossible, others look like they belong with medical texts, but most of them seem to be self-help books."
A voice came from the doorway on the far side of the room. "Of course they are self-help books. What's the point of knowing more if you can't put it to good use, young lady?"
"I don't know," Hermione answered.
Harry studied the young man facing them for a moment. He wore loose robes and his lean build made them seem looser. His eyes were deep and grey, but they seemed to have a kind of understanding in them especially for one who was young. He seemed to be no older than twenty-five, maybe younger. Harry followed his gaze and noticed he was studying Hermione.
Finally the man spoke, "You don't often answer like that. You like to know everything, you feel knowing keeps you from being hurt because if you know you can keep anything from happening. Now you know it isn't true but you would never say so. Am I right?"
Hermione didn't answer.
Harry took a step forward. "We aren't here to talk about Hermione."
"You aren't here to talk about yourself either though." The man studied Harry at least as intensely as he had studied Hermione. Harry tried to stare back but couldn't keep his gaze for long.
"You are afraid. Fear is a good thing really but you don't think so, do you? No, you don't. You see fear as a weakness. You don't want to be weak. The weight of the world seems to keep dropping on your shoulders but when others offer to help bear the burden you push them aside, to keep from getting hurt. You care about your friends so much that you refuse to ever put them in danger when you can help it. You-"
"Stop it!" There was anger in Harry's voice and he didn't know why it was there.
"It's because I'm right, you know. Yes, you do know. How odd. Who are you?"
Hermione glared at him, "If you'd ever picked up a history book you would know who he is."
"Oh, I think I do know, but names aren't important. Besides neither of you are here for yourselves or each other. I believe you are worried about a friend. Yes, you are. If you all stick together none of you need worry you know. Your legs are sore. Come in and be seated." He led them through the door where he was standing and into a room with several sofas and a desk. In one corner of the room was a wooden table with three matching chairs and a crystal ball.
"What is all this?" asked Hermione.
"The sofas and the desk are for those who come in the same state of mind as you and your friend; the table, chairs, and crystals are for those who come in a state of mind of another sort. You've really nothing to fear you know, young man. A philosophy you heard and once accepted was 'what will come will come and you'll just have to meet it when it does' am I right?"
Harry had thought the question was rhetorical, but the man waited for an answer so Harry nodded.
The man went to stand behind the desk and he sat there and pointed to a sofa for Harry and Hermione to sit on.
"Are you going to keep speaking in riddles or are you going to help us?" Hermione asked.
"Patience. I suppose you know the girl who just left?"
"Of course we know her."
"Renata and I have been friends for years. She was worried and wanted to talk."
"What did she say?" persisted Harry.
"Not much more than what you already know."
"Just spit it out and say what you're saying."
"I've already said it. But if you insist I will say more. What do you want to know?" he sighed.
"Tell us what Renata said."
"She was worried. Worried that the two of you and your other friend, was it Ron.yes, Ron.might get hurt trying to stop her from doing something she felt she had to do."
"She wants to stop him."
"Yes. He's hurt her awful and deep."
"I understand it," Harry told him.
"In some ways it's been worse for you, in others, worse for her. Even some cases where it's worse than both."
"How.?"
"I know these things. I talk to lots of people. Any other queries?"
"Why all those books?"
"I told you, I talk to lots of people and I help those that I can. If either of you feel the need to borrow a book feel free to take one, or as many as you need. When you have finished with the book it will return to me. Anything else?"
"So, you weren't talking to Renata about where Voldemort is right now, or how she can stop him?"
"The girl has more sense than that. She came here half thinking so and half knowing it was useless to think it. I calmed her thoughts and sent her on her way."
"How were you able to understand about who we were without even knowing our names?"
"Names aren't relevant to anything. I could say this quill is a book or a shnarkaz or a person but it doesn't change the being of the quill."
"How were you able to know about us?"
"There are little things you can pick up, especially when you fine tune your senses. Questions you ask, the look in your eyes, your bearing, how you stand, breathing rate; those sorts of things. Especially the eyes; a thousand emotions can rest in a single eye. It's all there. You just have to look."
Harry felt better than when he came in. He wasn't sure exactly what had been said to change his mind but he felt better. "I think we can leave."
Hermione looked at him a moment, "I think so too." Her tone had changed, it was the slightest bit puzzled but it didn't seem to be wrong being in her voice. "I'm going to look at one of the books."
"The book you need most will always be the first to catch your eye," Darnell called.
Harry stared into Darnell's eyes; there was fear in his voice that hadn't been there in a long while, "Is she going to try something crazy?"
Darnell knew Harry meant Renata. "I calmed her for now but who knows how long it will last? Worries always come back no matter how long you talk to someone. Being back here helps her but I don't know for how long. The four of you need to all be there for each other or one by one you'll fall. As, I believe it was Thomas Jefferson, said, 'We must all hang together or assuredly we shall all hang separately'. All of you: Stick together."
Harry knew the discussion was over. He felt like he should say thank you but the silence seemed to tell him that saying anything was unnecessary.
They went to the front room. Hermione had a book in her hand and waited by the door. Harry saw a book on the shelf and before he realized what he was doing he took it. Hermione and Harry turned and waved at Darnell, then left.
Silently they walked back to the restaurant. Harry and Hermione, as if by silent agreement, turned and walked away. They walked on passed the shops and back again.
"Hermione, should we go back yet?"
"Not yet. I need to talk to you, Harry."
Harry nodded and pointed to a place that was selling ice creams. They each bought one and sat down to talk.
"How did he know?" she whispered.
"I don't know." Darnell had known things that Harry hadn't even admitted to himself. Fear. He could read Harry like an open book. "Why don't we want to go talk to her?"
"Because, we don't know what she'll say."
"She's going to do what she wants and we won't be able to stop her. Will we?"
Hermione smiled, "We've never been able to stop you either though."
Harry looked at his watch. "It's late, we've better go." They got up and started heading back to the Griffin's Talon.
"Harry!"
Fred and George came up the street. "Harry guess what!"
"What?"
"Where's Ron? He should here this."
Hermione pointed, "He's just inside."
"Great. We'll tell you all together." The four of them went inside and sat at the table with Renata and Ron.
George was beaming, "Old Merle said yes."
"He's taking some of our inventions and he's going to show some of his regular customers and see what they think. Then he'll send an owl with the general response."
"Isn't it great?"
"Yeah."
"Now if we can just work something out with Zonkos we'll be all set for after graduation."
"Yes."
"We're going back to make sure we didn't miss anything there. See you all later." With very satisfied smiles, the twins left.
"I'm hungry. Does anyone else want to eat?" asked Renata. She got up and went to the counter to tell Carmen they were ready to order.
Carmen came and took orders.
"Isn't it great about the twins? I'm happy for them. I'd love to see the do something with brooms though. I'll have to talk to them about it. Ron, think they could manage a broom that fell a soon as it was three feet in the air?" asked Renata.
"Probably."
Hermione got a look of alarm in her eyes. "No!"
"What is it?"
"I just realized I'm losing a week of time to study for our finals!"
"Hermione you already know everything. It's just a matter of reviewing it all. In your case you really don't need to but if it makes you feel better, review when you go back." Renata shrugged.
They sat for another fifteen minutes talking about this and that finally Renata just said, "Stop. I know you saw Zachary."
"Zachary? We talked to someone named Darnell. I think."
"It's like he always says, names don't matter. Zachary is the name his mother gave him. His father always called him by his middle name, which is Darnell. Some people call him Marcus."
"Why?"
"Because it's his way of proving names don't matter. My mom calls him Philip. It's just his way of doing things. What did he say?"
"He told us to stick together."
Renata closed her eyes, "'We must all hang together or assuredly we will all hang separately.'"
"How did you know?" Hermione asked.
Renata opened her eyes with a strange look. "Sometimes, I just do."
"Don't do anything without us."
"Nothing you're going to regret."
She didn't reply.
"We're going home tomorrow," Ron said.
"I'm not."
"Renata, are you saying you aren't coming with us when we leave?" asked Harry.
"No. I'm saying that here, I am home. Hogwarts is just school."
They didn't say anything else. It wasn't long before the other students from Hogwarts came in and waited for Dumbledore.
Professor Dumbledore came in carrying a large bag. Ron peered into the bag, wide-eyed. He whispered to Harry, "Socks! Of all things, wool socks!"
Dumbledore lined the students up and sent them through the fire back to the school.
When Harry came through the fire he saw the Headmistresses pacing with a would-be-calm expression on her face. Dumbledore went over to see just what the trouble was, Harry and Ron pursued as closely as they dared.
"Albus, we need to talk. Send the students to their rooms tell them to get ready for tonight's surprise, Heaven knows something must go right tonight. Meet me in the staff room as quickly as possible. The teachers are assembling there."
"Yes Michaela, but what is it?"
"Bad news. I can't say anymore at the moment. Just get rid of the students."
"Yes, at once." Dumbledore turned to the students. "Everyone, to your rooms please we want you to prepare for tonight's surprise. No questions for now, but they will be answered in due time. Thank you."
Harry and Ron turned to see Renata and Hermione retreating out the door.
"Giving up so easily?" asked Ron.
"Of course not. We're taking a short cut. I know where the staff room is." They followed Renata until they came upon a tapestry with a dragon depicted on it.
Once there the dragon spoke, "I challenge you to a battle of strength! You must beat me to pass through here."
Renata replied in an amused manner, "Since you made the challenge I choose location and weapons: the bottom of a lake, with water pistols."
"I cannot accept this challenge," it said in a sullen voice.
"Then withdraw it and let us pass."
The tapestry swung aside and they went down a corridor with a door at the end. Instead of leading them through the door, Renata led them to a small alcove, "Sit still," she whispered.
"What are we waiting for?"
"A few more teachers are missing." Gradually first one teacher and then another came down the passageway and went through the door. Hidden in the shadows, Harry and the others remained unnoticed and finally dared to whisper.
"How did you know how to get past the tapestry?"
"You forget. I was here for a long time. There is another way to get past it but I never found out what it was. Ssh!"
They heard footsteps and watched as a woman approached, wearing deep crimson robes and an unpleasant smile. Her dark hair flowed down to her waist and she stared determinedly at the door as she walked on and into the room.
When the door was firmly shut, Renata scuttled to her feet and headed toward it. Silently they all took a position to listen. Harry was at the keyhole. Ron and Hermione were at a crack on the side of the door. Renata looked on from the crack between the floor and the door. Harry looked through the keyhole and saw at least a dozen teachers at the table as well as Dumbledore and the Headmistresses.
The woman in the crimson robes asked in an icy voice, "Well? What is all this about, Michaela? You said you had something important to say, so say it and be done or I shall leave now and go back to more important things."
"Peace, Natasha, if you believe so then leave now. We'll manage without you. The school vault was broken in to."
"What was stolen?"
"The Charter."
From around the room came gasps and cries of "No!" and "How could that be?"
Eventually the silence returned.
A short wizard in the corner, wearing robes of a bright green inquired, "What are we going to do?"
A young looking witch in mauve robes asked, "Michaela, what are we going to do? Is there any trace of what happened to it?"
"None. If anyone hears anything of this report to me at once. For now, make the preparations that I informed you of earlier. Chandler, Josephine, Albus, please remain here."
Harry and the others backed silently away from the door and into the alcove once more. They were absolutely still as the teachers left. Noiselessly they retook their positions. Harry looked in to see Dumbledore and the Headmistress seated at the table with the short wizard with the green robes at the table the witch with mauve robes who must have been Josephine was there as well.
"What is it?"
"Jenny and the students she took with her haven't returned. They were supposed to be back a while ago," the Headmistresses said with a voice heavy with weariness.
"What happened?"
"Did they not make it to the river? Or did they make it and not come back?"
"They checked in at that place with the river and the Muggles and they came back their after the little trip but after that know one knows what happened to them."
"Foul play, you think?"
"Was there a ransom note?"
"Yes. There was a ransom note. It appeared on my desk out of nowhere. I picked up a quill and where there had been no paper suddenly there was the note."
"What did they demand? Whatever the price I'll pay out of my own pocket if I must, we must have Jenny and the children back here safely," she stood up.
"They want the Potter boy. I don't know how they know we brought him here for safekeeping but they know."
Harry felt his stomach twist into a knot.
"How could they possibly know?"
"The teachers at Hogwarts wouldn't have said anything and neither would those here."
"The important thing is getting them back without losing Harry."
"I would have thought that if some action was taken while we were here it would have been during the Match on Wednesday, but I guess even I cannot fully comprehend his mind. Has there been any sign of the rat?" Dumbledore's eyes were full of fire.
"None and we've kept our eyes open."
"Then what shall we do?"
"Do we tell him and trust him not to act foolish or do we keep from him that we know of impending danger for him?" asked Chandler.
Harry heard footsteps behind him but it was too late to go back into the alcove. He had been seen.
Hermione shook her head. "Some of these seem impossible, others look like they belong with medical texts, but most of them seem to be self-help books."
A voice came from the doorway on the far side of the room. "Of course they are self-help books. What's the point of knowing more if you can't put it to good use, young lady?"
"I don't know," Hermione answered.
Harry studied the young man facing them for a moment. He wore loose robes and his lean build made them seem looser. His eyes were deep and grey, but they seemed to have a kind of understanding in them especially for one who was young. He seemed to be no older than twenty-five, maybe younger. Harry followed his gaze and noticed he was studying Hermione.
Finally the man spoke, "You don't often answer like that. You like to know everything, you feel knowing keeps you from being hurt because if you know you can keep anything from happening. Now you know it isn't true but you would never say so. Am I right?"
Hermione didn't answer.
Harry took a step forward. "We aren't here to talk about Hermione."
"You aren't here to talk about yourself either though." The man studied Harry at least as intensely as he had studied Hermione. Harry tried to stare back but couldn't keep his gaze for long.
"You are afraid. Fear is a good thing really but you don't think so, do you? No, you don't. You see fear as a weakness. You don't want to be weak. The weight of the world seems to keep dropping on your shoulders but when others offer to help bear the burden you push them aside, to keep from getting hurt. You care about your friends so much that you refuse to ever put them in danger when you can help it. You-"
"Stop it!" There was anger in Harry's voice and he didn't know why it was there.
"It's because I'm right, you know. Yes, you do know. How odd. Who are you?"
Hermione glared at him, "If you'd ever picked up a history book you would know who he is."
"Oh, I think I do know, but names aren't important. Besides neither of you are here for yourselves or each other. I believe you are worried about a friend. Yes, you are. If you all stick together none of you need worry you know. Your legs are sore. Come in and be seated." He led them through the door where he was standing and into a room with several sofas and a desk. In one corner of the room was a wooden table with three matching chairs and a crystal ball.
"What is all this?" asked Hermione.
"The sofas and the desk are for those who come in the same state of mind as you and your friend; the table, chairs, and crystals are for those who come in a state of mind of another sort. You've really nothing to fear you know, young man. A philosophy you heard and once accepted was 'what will come will come and you'll just have to meet it when it does' am I right?"
Harry had thought the question was rhetorical, but the man waited for an answer so Harry nodded.
The man went to stand behind the desk and he sat there and pointed to a sofa for Harry and Hermione to sit on.
"Are you going to keep speaking in riddles or are you going to help us?" Hermione asked.
"Patience. I suppose you know the girl who just left?"
"Of course we know her."
"Renata and I have been friends for years. She was worried and wanted to talk."
"What did she say?" persisted Harry.
"Not much more than what you already know."
"Just spit it out and say what you're saying."
"I've already said it. But if you insist I will say more. What do you want to know?" he sighed.
"Tell us what Renata said."
"She was worried. Worried that the two of you and your other friend, was it Ron.yes, Ron.might get hurt trying to stop her from doing something she felt she had to do."
"She wants to stop him."
"Yes. He's hurt her awful and deep."
"I understand it," Harry told him.
"In some ways it's been worse for you, in others, worse for her. Even some cases where it's worse than both."
"How.?"
"I know these things. I talk to lots of people. Any other queries?"
"Why all those books?"
"I told you, I talk to lots of people and I help those that I can. If either of you feel the need to borrow a book feel free to take one, or as many as you need. When you have finished with the book it will return to me. Anything else?"
"So, you weren't talking to Renata about where Voldemort is right now, or how she can stop him?"
"The girl has more sense than that. She came here half thinking so and half knowing it was useless to think it. I calmed her thoughts and sent her on her way."
"How were you able to understand about who we were without even knowing our names?"
"Names aren't relevant to anything. I could say this quill is a book or a shnarkaz or a person but it doesn't change the being of the quill."
"How were you able to know about us?"
"There are little things you can pick up, especially when you fine tune your senses. Questions you ask, the look in your eyes, your bearing, how you stand, breathing rate; those sorts of things. Especially the eyes; a thousand emotions can rest in a single eye. It's all there. You just have to look."
Harry felt better than when he came in. He wasn't sure exactly what had been said to change his mind but he felt better. "I think we can leave."
Hermione looked at him a moment, "I think so too." Her tone had changed, it was the slightest bit puzzled but it didn't seem to be wrong being in her voice. "I'm going to look at one of the books."
"The book you need most will always be the first to catch your eye," Darnell called.
Harry stared into Darnell's eyes; there was fear in his voice that hadn't been there in a long while, "Is she going to try something crazy?"
Darnell knew Harry meant Renata. "I calmed her for now but who knows how long it will last? Worries always come back no matter how long you talk to someone. Being back here helps her but I don't know for how long. The four of you need to all be there for each other or one by one you'll fall. As, I believe it was Thomas Jefferson, said, 'We must all hang together or assuredly we shall all hang separately'. All of you: Stick together."
Harry knew the discussion was over. He felt like he should say thank you but the silence seemed to tell him that saying anything was unnecessary.
They went to the front room. Hermione had a book in her hand and waited by the door. Harry saw a book on the shelf and before he realized what he was doing he took it. Hermione and Harry turned and waved at Darnell, then left.
Silently they walked back to the restaurant. Harry and Hermione, as if by silent agreement, turned and walked away. They walked on passed the shops and back again.
"Hermione, should we go back yet?"
"Not yet. I need to talk to you, Harry."
Harry nodded and pointed to a place that was selling ice creams. They each bought one and sat down to talk.
"How did he know?" she whispered.
"I don't know." Darnell had known things that Harry hadn't even admitted to himself. Fear. He could read Harry like an open book. "Why don't we want to go talk to her?"
"Because, we don't know what she'll say."
"She's going to do what she wants and we won't be able to stop her. Will we?"
Hermione smiled, "We've never been able to stop you either though."
Harry looked at his watch. "It's late, we've better go." They got up and started heading back to the Griffin's Talon.
"Harry!"
Fred and George came up the street. "Harry guess what!"
"What?"
"Where's Ron? He should here this."
Hermione pointed, "He's just inside."
"Great. We'll tell you all together." The four of them went inside and sat at the table with Renata and Ron.
George was beaming, "Old Merle said yes."
"He's taking some of our inventions and he's going to show some of his regular customers and see what they think. Then he'll send an owl with the general response."
"Isn't it great?"
"Yeah."
"Now if we can just work something out with Zonkos we'll be all set for after graduation."
"Yes."
"We're going back to make sure we didn't miss anything there. See you all later." With very satisfied smiles, the twins left.
"I'm hungry. Does anyone else want to eat?" asked Renata. She got up and went to the counter to tell Carmen they were ready to order.
Carmen came and took orders.
"Isn't it great about the twins? I'm happy for them. I'd love to see the do something with brooms though. I'll have to talk to them about it. Ron, think they could manage a broom that fell a soon as it was three feet in the air?" asked Renata.
"Probably."
Hermione got a look of alarm in her eyes. "No!"
"What is it?"
"I just realized I'm losing a week of time to study for our finals!"
"Hermione you already know everything. It's just a matter of reviewing it all. In your case you really don't need to but if it makes you feel better, review when you go back." Renata shrugged.
They sat for another fifteen minutes talking about this and that finally Renata just said, "Stop. I know you saw Zachary."
"Zachary? We talked to someone named Darnell. I think."
"It's like he always says, names don't matter. Zachary is the name his mother gave him. His father always called him by his middle name, which is Darnell. Some people call him Marcus."
"Why?"
"Because it's his way of proving names don't matter. My mom calls him Philip. It's just his way of doing things. What did he say?"
"He told us to stick together."
Renata closed her eyes, "'We must all hang together or assuredly we will all hang separately.'"
"How did you know?" Hermione asked.
Renata opened her eyes with a strange look. "Sometimes, I just do."
"Don't do anything without us."
"Nothing you're going to regret."
She didn't reply.
"We're going home tomorrow," Ron said.
"I'm not."
"Renata, are you saying you aren't coming with us when we leave?" asked Harry.
"No. I'm saying that here, I am home. Hogwarts is just school."
They didn't say anything else. It wasn't long before the other students from Hogwarts came in and waited for Dumbledore.
Professor Dumbledore came in carrying a large bag. Ron peered into the bag, wide-eyed. He whispered to Harry, "Socks! Of all things, wool socks!"
Dumbledore lined the students up and sent them through the fire back to the school.
When Harry came through the fire he saw the Headmistresses pacing with a would-be-calm expression on her face. Dumbledore went over to see just what the trouble was, Harry and Ron pursued as closely as they dared.
"Albus, we need to talk. Send the students to their rooms tell them to get ready for tonight's surprise, Heaven knows something must go right tonight. Meet me in the staff room as quickly as possible. The teachers are assembling there."
"Yes Michaela, but what is it?"
"Bad news. I can't say anymore at the moment. Just get rid of the students."
"Yes, at once." Dumbledore turned to the students. "Everyone, to your rooms please we want you to prepare for tonight's surprise. No questions for now, but they will be answered in due time. Thank you."
Harry and Ron turned to see Renata and Hermione retreating out the door.
"Giving up so easily?" asked Ron.
"Of course not. We're taking a short cut. I know where the staff room is." They followed Renata until they came upon a tapestry with a dragon depicted on it.
Once there the dragon spoke, "I challenge you to a battle of strength! You must beat me to pass through here."
Renata replied in an amused manner, "Since you made the challenge I choose location and weapons: the bottom of a lake, with water pistols."
"I cannot accept this challenge," it said in a sullen voice.
"Then withdraw it and let us pass."
The tapestry swung aside and they went down a corridor with a door at the end. Instead of leading them through the door, Renata led them to a small alcove, "Sit still," she whispered.
"What are we waiting for?"
"A few more teachers are missing." Gradually first one teacher and then another came down the passageway and went through the door. Hidden in the shadows, Harry and the others remained unnoticed and finally dared to whisper.
"How did you know how to get past the tapestry?"
"You forget. I was here for a long time. There is another way to get past it but I never found out what it was. Ssh!"
They heard footsteps and watched as a woman approached, wearing deep crimson robes and an unpleasant smile. Her dark hair flowed down to her waist and she stared determinedly at the door as she walked on and into the room.
When the door was firmly shut, Renata scuttled to her feet and headed toward it. Silently they all took a position to listen. Harry was at the keyhole. Ron and Hermione were at a crack on the side of the door. Renata looked on from the crack between the floor and the door. Harry looked through the keyhole and saw at least a dozen teachers at the table as well as Dumbledore and the Headmistresses.
The woman in the crimson robes asked in an icy voice, "Well? What is all this about, Michaela? You said you had something important to say, so say it and be done or I shall leave now and go back to more important things."
"Peace, Natasha, if you believe so then leave now. We'll manage without you. The school vault was broken in to."
"What was stolen?"
"The Charter."
From around the room came gasps and cries of "No!" and "How could that be?"
Eventually the silence returned.
A short wizard in the corner, wearing robes of a bright green inquired, "What are we going to do?"
A young looking witch in mauve robes asked, "Michaela, what are we going to do? Is there any trace of what happened to it?"
"None. If anyone hears anything of this report to me at once. For now, make the preparations that I informed you of earlier. Chandler, Josephine, Albus, please remain here."
Harry and the others backed silently away from the door and into the alcove once more. They were absolutely still as the teachers left. Noiselessly they retook their positions. Harry looked in to see Dumbledore and the Headmistress seated at the table with the short wizard with the green robes at the table the witch with mauve robes who must have been Josephine was there as well.
"What is it?"
"Jenny and the students she took with her haven't returned. They were supposed to be back a while ago," the Headmistresses said with a voice heavy with weariness.
"What happened?"
"Did they not make it to the river? Or did they make it and not come back?"
"They checked in at that place with the river and the Muggles and they came back their after the little trip but after that know one knows what happened to them."
"Foul play, you think?"
"Was there a ransom note?"
"Yes. There was a ransom note. It appeared on my desk out of nowhere. I picked up a quill and where there had been no paper suddenly there was the note."
"What did they demand? Whatever the price I'll pay out of my own pocket if I must, we must have Jenny and the children back here safely," she stood up.
"They want the Potter boy. I don't know how they know we brought him here for safekeeping but they know."
Harry felt his stomach twist into a knot.
"How could they possibly know?"
"The teachers at Hogwarts wouldn't have said anything and neither would those here."
"The important thing is getting them back without losing Harry."
"I would have thought that if some action was taken while we were here it would have been during the Match on Wednesday, but I guess even I cannot fully comprehend his mind. Has there been any sign of the rat?" Dumbledore's eyes were full of fire.
"None and we've kept our eyes open."
"Then what shall we do?"
"Do we tell him and trust him not to act foolish or do we keep from him that we know of impending danger for him?" asked Chandler.
Harry heard footsteps behind him but it was too late to go back into the alcove. He had been seen.