Harry finished reading the article with a pale-stricken face, and although shaken, became angry at the Ministry of Magic for not expecting this and doing anything until the end of last year, when it was too late. Although when Harry voiced his thoughts, Hermione seemed to think his anger was misplaced.
"Honestly, Harry," Hermione replied, "there was no way they could've predicted exactly where V-Voldemort," she said with a bit of a hushed voice, "would've attacked next. Even with the information from the Order, which is, as we know, confidential for the most part, they couldn't have stopped him without having any more casualties."
Ron nodded his head silently at Hermione's remark. Either Ron was too shocked to speak, or still refused to talk to Hermione after their row last night, which would be typical of his nature.
"At least now people will believe me," Harry whispered, barely loud enough for anyone to hear him.
'Wait a minute,' he thought, 'Emmeline Vance... I know that name, but from where?'
Harry reread the article to no alas; he still didn't remember exactly who Emmeline Vance was, although the name sounded familiar.
"She's a member of the Order," Mandy whispered as she sat down next to him, seemingly come out of nowhere. "She was also in the Advance Guard last year in bringing you from the Dursley's to - well, you know where."
The trio all stared at her, wondering as to what that comment was responding to. After she filled her plate with food, she looked up at them and noticed their expressions, and quickly attempted to explain herself.
"Oh, dear, I've done it again, haven't I?" Mandy said. "I'm so sorry, Harry, really I am."
Harry laughed, just now realizing that she had responded to his thoughts, but why was she reading his thoughts anyway?
"You see," she continued her explanation, "when I don't really focus on one thing in particular, my brain kind of just wanders through thoughts, not focused at one particular person or area... I'm pretty sure it just focuses on whosever thoughts are the strongest, or rather, whomever is focusing the most on something." She blushed, and once again apologized for her unintentional actions.
"So what's going on?" Mandy asked, just noticing her surroundings.
"Here, read this," Hermione offered her the paper.
Mandy's eyes widened as she read the article, and Harry noticed that a mingled look of sadness, anger, and fear shown in her eyes.
"I can't believe," he heard her whisper angrily. He saw her expression go blank as she continued to just stare at the paper. He could tell now that there was something else she was hiding.
Mandy had noticed Harry, as well as Ron and Hermione, staring at her, so she had hidden her emotions she knew were showing in her eyes after reading the article the first time through.
All of a sudden, this overwhelming emotion seemingly overtook her, regardless of what her eyes were attempting to conceal. Still holding the paper in her hands, she suddenly burst up and ran out of the Great Hall, tears lingering in her eyes.
"What was that about?" Ron asked.
"I don't know," Harry replied truthfully.
Later on that night, the usual Halloween festivities in the Great Hall ensued. The trio found that although the Great Hall had the appearance of a time of celebration with pumpkins filling the corners, and candles floating lazily in midair, the unease was prominent in the environment. Although decorations could create a deceiving outlook, there was no doubt in any of their minds that today's Daily Prophet news dimmed the spirit all witches and wizards had for Halloween.
As they continued on with meal set out for them, much to the dismay of Hermione, ("This is ridiculous! I can't believe they are working the house-elves through Halloween; they should at least get a break then. It is after all the most celebrated holiday witches and wizards have!"), they couldn't help but notice the forced conversation between neighbors in an attempt to maintain the usual cheer Halloween held.
Harry had also happened to notice that a few people were missing from the dinner tables, one of them being Mandy. In fact, not one of the three of them had seen a trace of her since that morning when she had practically burst out of the Great Hall in tears. Harry figured that with the memories Mandy had shown them, that he would be able to understand her and her actions more, yet, it seemed as if they only outlined her mystery and kept his vision clouded about who she really was. Harry then thought back to 5th year when he had been dating Cho, and to think of it, he had been just as confused then. He would really appreciate a book on deciphering woman's minds right about now.
