Chapter Thirteen: All Hallows Evil
"Will you two be okay on your own?" Harry asked Jamie and Mark after breakfast the Saturday before Halloween. As it was the first Hogsmeade visit of the new term, he was wearing his dragonhide boots and coat rather than his usual robes and cloak, and Civis — who was sitting waiting on one of the windowsills — was in his 'Charles Goodfellow' disguise and was wearing his grey Muggle suit with a full-length woollen overcoat and a bowler hat.
"We'll be fine, Harry," Jamie told him. "We're going to spend most of the time in the Library. We've got a bit behind on our homework."
"Okay, but if you go anywhere other than the Library, the common room or the Great Hall, make sure you're in a group." Harry told her. "If you have any problems, find Katie or one of the professors — preferably Dumbledore or Ambrose — McGonagall and Flitwick will probably be in the village. Do you remember the password to Dumbledore's office?"
"Liquorice wand?" asked Jamie tentatively.
"That's right," Harry told her. "We'll be back before nightfall."
"See you later, Harry."
Harry stood up and crossed to the portrait hole. Ron and Neville joined him almost immediately and Ginny and Hermione arrived a few minutes later. Unlike Harry, they were all wearing their usual cloaks, though Ron eyed Harry's coat enviously. I guess I know what to get him for Christmas, Harry thought to himself. "Shall we go?"
They all nodded in agreement and Harry pushed open the portrait hole and climbed through. The others quickly followed, with Ginny and Civis flanking Harry, and Neville bringing up the rear.
"Where's Luna meeting us?" Hermione asked Neville, after a minute or two.
"In the Entrance Hall."
"I hope she's there already," Harry said. "I want to get to the village before the shops get too busy. I've got some stuff to buy."
Civis raised his eyebrows slightly, but didn't comment, and Harry chose to ignore him.
Harry got his wish, and the six teenagers entered the village about ten minutes later. When they entered the village proper, Hermione spoke up. "Ginny and I have some shopping we need to do. Can we meet you outside Honeydukes in an hour?"
"Sure, no problem, 'Mione." Harry told her. "I need Ron's advice about something anyway."
Neville and Luna disappeared down the side street that Harry had taken with Cho the year before. Although it was possible that they were headed for Madam Puddifoot's, Harry thought it was more likely that they were heading for Broadmoor's Botanicals, an exotic plant shop he'd spotted three doors down from the café.
"So where do you want to go, Harry?" Ron asked.
"I'm not sure," Harry admitted. "I want to get Ginny something for her birthday though."
"Well, unless you want to get her another book…?"
Harry shook his head, books were fine for Hermione, but he wanted to give Ginny something special.
"Well, why don't we have a look in Jedrec's Jewel Emporium?" Ron suggested. "I got Hermione's perfume there last Christmas, and they've got jewellery and stuff like that too."
Sounds good, Harry thought with a smile. "Show me."
"It's this way," Ron told him and ducked down another side street. Harry and Civis followed him immediately.
----
Jedrec's Jewel Emporium turned out to be a goblin-owned business — which according to Ron, was apparently quite common. The goblin behind the counter looked up as they entered. He smiled at the two boys, but it turned to a scowl when he saw Civis. "What can I do for you, gentlemen?"
"Nothing for me, Jedrec," Ron told the goblin, "Your stuff's nice, but I can't afford your prices very often. That bottle of perfume cost me three months pocket money!"
"But your girl liked it, didn't she?" demanded the goblin. Ron nodded. "I stock only the best, and if you buy the best you've got to pay top prices. If you want cheap junk, go to Dervish and Banges! Now, do you have business to conduct, or are you just wasting my time?!"
Harry, sensing Civis stiffen behind him, decided it was about time to get the ball rolling before either Civis attacked the goblin or Jedrec threw them out. "I would like to buy something, but I'm not sure what…"
"Well, if you want advice, you'll have to tell me a little about the person you're giving it to."
Harry paused, he wasn't sure quite how much he wanted to say in front of Ron. "Her name's Ginny Weasley, it's her birthday tomorrow…"
"Weasley…" pondered Jedrec. "A redhead, then?" Harry nodded. "Any known likes and dislikes?"
"She likes boys named Harry Potter, for some reason," muttered Ron.
Harry poked Ron in the chest. "Uhh, she likes… cats."
"Interesting… I've got one or two ideas. Colours?"
"She likes green," Ron told him.
"And red too," Harry added.
"Interesting… very interesting."
"Perhaps a bracelet, or a necklace, Harry?" suggested Civis.
Harry nodded, "A necklace sounds nice."
The goblin nodded and ducked under his counter, emerging moments later with two small trays: one with a selection of gold necklaces and another with a selection of silver ones. After about half an hour of examining the merchandise, Harry eventually picked a simple gold necklace with a single cat charm with emeralds set in the eye sockets and flanked by two small rubies. "How much?"
"For that piece… seventy Galleons," replied Jedrec promptly.
Harry moved to bring out his money pouch, but Civis stopped him. "Excuse me, the current market value of those stones is no more than thirty Galleons. Therefore, with the gold and workmanship, I would say a value of… no more than fifty Galleons would be accurate."
"Fifty?!" exclaimed Jedrec. "My craftsmen are the finest in the land! It is worth at least sixty-five!"
"Sixty," insisted Civis. "Not a Knut more."
"Very well," grumbled Jedrec and ducked under the counter for the box. Harry thought he heard him muttering something. "Ruddy hobgoblins, always getting in the way, how's a goblin supposed to make an honest living?"
Harry handed over the required amount without protest, although Ron's eyes closed resembled saucers. He tucked the small box into his inside breast pocket and turned to leave. "Not a word to anyone about this, Ron. Understood? Not even Hermione."
"Sorry about interrupting you back there, Harry," Civis said. "But you've got to watch goblins. Most of them would sell their own mothers, if they could get away with it."
"Not a problem, Civis," Harry assured him. "Although the extra ten Galleons wouldn't have been a problem."
"I know that, Harry. It's the principle of the thing."
"Hang on…" said Ron. "So you're saying that he probably overcharges everyone?"
"Well, he'd know better than to try it on Dumbledore or Flitwick, maybe McGonagall… but, pretty much everyone else… yeah, probably."
"So he overcharged me for that perfume I bought for Hermione?"
"Was it that Rose Bloom Essence she was wearing at the Quidditch match?" Civis asked. Ron nodded. "Not bad stuff that. Allowing for inflation since James got Lily a bottle for her seventeenth… I'd say a standard-sized bottle would be worth between ten Galleons and twelve Galleons, nine Sickles. Fifteen maximum."
"Fifteen!" exclaimed Ron. "I paid twenty-two!"
"Oh dear," said Harry. "I guess you'd better add that to the list of things you aren't going to tell Hermione."
"Good idea," agreed Ron. "Can we go into Gladrags? I need to get another T-shirt, my only decent one's getting a little frayed."
"Sure," Harry told him. "I wouldn't mind a look round in there myself."
They emerged about ten minutes later with a bag each. Ron had three new T-shirts, all paid for by Harry ("To make up for Jedrec cheating you") and Harry had picked up several pairs of warm socks, one of the few purchases that he hadn't made when they were at Diagon Alley. Civis then reminded them it was almost time to meet the others outside Honeydukes, so they headed back towards the store. By the time they got there, Ginny and Hermione were already waiting, clutching several bags each.
"Where have you been, 'Mione?" Ron asked, taking a couple of the bags from her and putting one arm around her waist.
"All over the place," Hermione told him, blushing a little from their close proximity. "Where have you been?"
"We went into a couple of places. I needed to get a couple of T-shirts, so we went into Gladrags and Harry needed to get something from Faber's Lane, so we went done there."
"What did you want from down there?" Ginny asked Harry, trying to peek into the bags he was holding. "Is it something for me?"
Harry smiled. "Now what might give you that idea?"
"Well, it is my birthday tomorrow," Ginny pointed out.
"You'll find out tomorrow, Gin," Harry told her, and slipped his arm round her waist. Ginny snuggled into the crook of his shoulder, enjoying the feeling of being close to him. "Does anyone want anything from Honeydukes?"
Ron nodded and moved to head inside, Harry handed him some silver and told him to buy some Chocolate Frogs. "Ginny and I'll stay outside to wait for Neville and Luna." Ron nodded his agreement and he and Hermione entered the shop.
Neville and Luna joined them a couple of minutes later and they chatted for a few minutes until Ron and Hermione came back out of the sweet shop. "Shall we adjourn to the Three Broomsticks?" suggested Civis. "While I do not feel the cold, you do, and I can tell that this weather is… less than clement."
As it was now snowing heavily Harry could see his point, and he led the way to the pub. When they got inside, he passed his moneybag to Civis and nodded to the bar, which was manned as usual by the aged, but still somewhat attractive Madame Rosmerta. Civis smiled to her and headed over, while Harry and his gang sat down at one of the larger tables facing the street. Glancing around, he could see that Hagrid and Professors McGonagall and Flitwick were there enjoying a drink as usual, though this time they'd been joined Dr Chrystan, who was in the middle of a drinking contest with Hagrid, and much to Harry's surprise appeared to be winning.
Also present in the bar were the usual mixed bag of students — including a large group of Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, mostly members of the DA. There were also about a dozen Slytherins present, all told, mostly huddled in corners on their own. The only exceptions were Jessie Blackfern and Morgan Redthorn — who were sharing a table with the two Davies brothers and Roger's girlfriend Bonnie Barnsdall, the Ravenclaw seventh year Prefect — and Romulus Moon and Blaise Zabini, who were chatting to Seamus Finnigan over by the bar.
They were on their second round of Butterbeers when Jonas Johnson's telepathic 'voice' popped into Harry's head. «This is a Priority-Three Emergency. All members of the Defence Council please return to Hogwarts immediately. Rendezvous point: Greenhouse Two.»
«What's going on?» Harry asked.
«You will find out when you arrive,» Jonas told him. «However, if you can locate Susan Bones, you would be wise bring her with you. Draw your own conclusions.»
«I'm on my way.» Harry told him. "Guys, something's come up, I've got to go back to the castle."
"Should we come with you?" asked Ginny.
"No, it's Defence Council business," Harry said, rising and shrugging his coat back on. "I'll tell you later if I can."
"Okay."
"Do you want me to accompany you?"
"No, Civis," Harry told him. "I'll be with McGonagall, Flitwick and Dr Chrystan so I'll be fine. I want you to stay here and make sure the others get back to the castle."
"Very well."
Harry headed over to the table filled with members of the DA, and easily picked out the long, braided red hair of Susan Bones — she was sitting against the wall between Justin Finch-Fletchley and Hannah Abbot. After a minute, she noticed he was watching her. "Hi Harry, what's up?"
"I need you to come with me," Harry told her. "There's some trouble at the greenhouses, and the Headmaster wants us to meet him there."
"Okay," she said. "Can my friends come with us?"
"No, just you," Harry told her. "Dumbledore's orders."
Dr Chrystan and Professors McGonagall and Flitwick met them at the door. "You got the message, Harry?" asked McGonagall.
"Of course, Professor," Harry confirmed. "I suggest we take the passage from the Shack, it'll be quicker."
"Agreed."
A whispered password ("I solemnly swear I am up to no good.") caused part of the wall of the Shack to melt away and the four of them entered the derelict old ruin. The wall melted back into place behind them. They hurried down the underground passage and McGonagall transformed just long enough to trigger the knot on the Whomping Willow.
When they arrived at the greenhouses, Jonas Johnson and Professor Ambrose were busy conducting an examination inside Greenhouse Two, and Professors Dumbledore and Snape were outside, clearly discussing something.
"What is it, Albus?" asked McGonagall.
"There has been another attack, a first year Hufflepuff." Dumbledore replied and then turned to Susan. "I am sorry, Miss Bones... it was your sister, Anita."
----
After a whispered conference, the Defence Council agreed that Harry and Dr Chrystan would escort Susan up to the Infirmary where Professor Sprout was already waiting with her injured sister, while Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape waited outside Greenhouse Two for Professor Ambrose and Detective Johnson to finish their investigation of the scene.
When they reached the second floor, the door to the Infirmary opened and a well-built man in his early to late forties, wearing dark-grey robes and a long, black, hooded cloak, left the room and walked briskly towards them. He acknowledged Harry and Dr Chrystan with a nod. "Potter. Doctor."
"Hello Malone, any news?"
"Nothing new, she's in the same condition as Miss Clayton was. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Thanks Malone," Harry said. "If you want to talk to the Headmaster, he's still down at the greenhouses."
"Understood."
Harry went up to the door and knocked.
"Who is it?"
"Harry Potter. Dr Chrystan and Susan Bones are with me."
The door opened and three familiar faces confronted Harry: the raven-haired Hit-Wizard, Jason Draper; his green-eyed, red-haired girlfriend, Corinne Anderson; and the blond Animorphmagus, Jarred Laken. "Hi guys," Harry said. "How are things at home?"
"Fine, Harry," Draper assured him. "Once you and the others moved back to Hogwarts, Mad-Eye decided that one guard was enough, Sandra's there at the moment. She, Antonia and Ray've been handing it."
Harry heard a gasp from Susan, she had reached the bed where her sister was lying. Harry glanced over and saw to his relief that the motherly Professor Sprout had already moved to comfort her, so he headed for the nurses' office. He knocked on the door. "Madame Pomfrey?"
The nurse looked around, "Yes, Mr Potter?"
"Malone said her injuries were the same as Jamie's?"
"Yes, they were," she confirmed. "You should also know that I found the pieces of her wand in one of her pockets, it had been snapped in half."
"The same thing that is done to students when they've been expelled."
The Matron nodded, "Like Miss Clayton, she's been Confounded. So she doesn't remember anything clearly, just a few incoherent snatches."
"Understood," said Harry. "Has Draper talked to her?"
"Yes," Madam Pomfrey confirmed. "He couldn't get anything useful."
"Let me know if anything changes."
"Of course, Mr Potter."
Harry strode back out into the Infirmary and joined the Guardians by the door. "Draper, I don't care what you have to do, but Anita gets round the clock protection until we get Malfoy for these attacks. I also want eyes on Susan any time she leaves her common room. You don't need to worry about Jamie, my friends and I are looking after her with Civis' help."
Draper nodded, as though he had expected Harry's request. "Jarred's going to stick with Anita, and Jonas is going to keep constant lock on Susan's DA coin at all times. That should alert us if anyone tries anything."
"Good, I'm going to check in with Sparky and Jonas and then head down to dinner." Harry told them and left, closing the door behind him. «Sparky, have Jonas and Professor Ambrose finished their examination of the scene yet?»
«Yes, Harry.»
«And…?»
«Little of relevance. However, we do have one more piece of circumstantial evidence.»
«What?»
«A Slytherin prefect's badge.»
A/N: Sorry for the slight cliffhanger folks. Unfortunately I'm rather busy over the next couple of days, so I probably won't be able to start on the next chapter before Monday, though I'll try and post it as quickly as I can. In the meantime, please review.