Ch 28: - Ministry of Madness

The trip to the Ministry was again by Portkey and once more Harry marvelled at the crassness of the huge sculpture in the main atrium of the Ministry. His memory of the feature was now perfect; each golden detail was committed to mental storage, ready to be dragged kicking and screaming into the elegant spotlight of good taste for the ritual vilification that could be the only response.

Turning away from the sculpture, Harry had grimly followed the Professor's footsteps into the panelled corridor and immediately into the Minister's office. The two tall wizards standing at ease outside the Minister's office doors when he and Dumbledore had arrived had been an ominous addition since the last visit, and the fact that they now stood inside the doors was even more worrying.

The night before, Ron and Hermione had told Harry not to worry, that Cornelius Fudge would never have the nerve to go against the Headmaster again having been wrong so many times before. It was no comfort as he stood beside Professor Dumbledore in front of a belligerent looking Fudge and a grinning Dolores Umbridge, in the Minister's office.

'Well, Dumbledore,' the Minister boomed without preamble. 'Dolores and I have had some time to think over the ramifications of the little episode of the Cruciatus curse cast by Mr Potter here.' He paused and glanced at Umbridge. 'I have to say we find ourselves in agreement that the curse was beyond a reasonable and measured response to the threat faced by Mr. Potter.'

Harry was aghast. Everything had changed in an instant and instead of a rather bumbling ally, Fudge was suddenly as dangerous as an angry manticore. Harry looked behind in sudden panic only to see the two wizards staring stonily ahead. He was at least partly reassured to see they were not yet about to lay heavy hands on his shoulder and drag him away.

Looking back to the Headmaster, Harry saw that the Professor was regarding Cornelius Fudge with such obvious distaste that Harry could only fear that Dumbledore's response would condemn them both.

The situation was defused, just, by the excruciating tones of Umbridge trying to sound reasonable.

'Of course, there are ways in which we could help one another?' she smarmed.

Harry's original response of denial froze on his lips as the impact of her words struck into him.

A bargain? - Really?

Dumbledore was still holding in his ire with considerable effort, although a certain stillness suggested that even he might be willing to bargain for a peaceful outcome.

'And your point is?' he grated, in an uncharacteristically terse manner.

'Well, there are more important things for the Ministry to be considering...' murmured Umbridge, in a voice she seemed to consider alluring. 'Aren't there Cornelius?'

'Well – yes, - most definitely, Dolores.' Fudge glanced at Umbridge again before turning to the Headmaster and smiling expansively.

'Apart from Lord Voldemort?' murmured the Professor. 'Perhaps you could enlighten us?'

There was a hiss of breath through clenched teeth before Umbridge continued in her slightly sing song, slightly flat, voice.

'The Forbidden Forest, of course, Headmaster.'

Harry desperately overcame his desire to grind his teeth in the presence of such hypocrisy. It looked as though the Professor had been right again, although Harry had no idea why Fudge had changed his mind so suddenly and decided to support Umbridge. It was quite uncanny.

'The Forbidden Forest?' asked Dumbledore quietly. 'The Ministry itself is interested in the Forbidden Forest? I wonder why that should be. After all, the Forest is under the Stewardship of Hogwarts School'

Fudge and Umbridge looked at one another.

'Indeed it is, Dumbledore,' confirmed Fudge, 'however, we at the Ministry feel that your burden should be lightened, in the view of the difficulties of running a school in such trying times...two attacks in as many weeks. The strain must be tremendous.'

Dumbledore stared at Fudge, then at Umbridge, then back to Fudge, who he scrutinised very carefully. He seemed disinclined to say anything more, though Harry was itching to accuse Umbridge of the attack by the dementors. He restrained himself with difficulty, knowing that the Headmaster would use what information he had when it could have the greatest effect, and stared woodenly at the two ministry officials. Both seemed eager to press on, but a minute or more passed before Umbridge added any further explanation.

'The Ministry is willing to take over your responsibilities for the Forest, after all, it is not really part of the School, anymore than it is part of Hogsmeade.'

A further silence, as Dumbledore considered the suggestion.

'The Forest has been attached to Hogwarts since it was built,' he said quietly. 'As you know, it was originally intended as a hunting and magic training ground for the School, before acquisitions of other land rendered it redundant.'

Fudge smiled again in that expansive manner. 'That is absolutely true, Dumbledore and, as you say, it is redundant. It is filled with strange trees and even stranger creatures; it has gone wild and needs to be tamed.'

Harry heard the word 'tamed' with a sinking heart. The centaurs, that was what was to be tamed, and Grawp, though he was with Charlie now and no longer in danger. Harry wondered what the Ministry would think of Aragog.

The Headmaster had obviously wondered the same sort of thing, though whether he knew of Aragog, Harry wasn't sure. The dire warnings at the start of each year suggested, however, that Dumbledore was well aware of the contents of the forest.

'Have you any idea what creatures exist within the Forest?' asked the Headmaster, slowly.

'Well, - Centaurs? A unicorn or two? - And possibly a large troll of some kind?' Once more Fudge glanced at Umbridge, who had grimaced at the word centaur. 'Er – anything else we should know about, Dumbledore?'

The Headmaster smiled thinly then conjured up chairs for himself and Harry. 'I fear you are sadly ill informed, Minister. The denizens of the forest are much more varied and numerous than I believe you realise.' His pipe appeared in one hand and magically lit as he settled back in his chair and began a lengthy discourse on the creatures of the forest

'I believe you have already encountered the Centaurs?' he said with a lift of an eyebrow. Dolores Umbridge snarled at the word. 'And of course the Unicorns, which are much more numerous than you seem to think and almost impervious to most magic. There are, however, some who are in a position to control unicorns - and I suspect that Professor Umbridge is in fact qualified in that respect.'

Dumbledore smiled affably at Umbridge, seemingly having paid her a compliment, although Harry suspected that was far from the case.

'Then there are the Thestrals, of course,' continued Dumbledore. 'Able to make themselves invisible to all except those who have seen death.'

Harry was about to suggest that Umbridge would almost certainly qualify there as well, but fortunately though better of it. She was more likely to order a death than carry it out. After all, wasn't instructing a dementor to take a soul the same as ordering a death?

As Dumbledore catalogued the horrors of the forest, Harry's attention began to slip. The Headmaster seemed to be avoiding the greatest horror of all, Aragog and his voracious family, and most of the others were included in the book of Fantastic Beasts the Harry had studied for OWLs. Umbridge was taking notes, but as the time dragged on, Harry noticed Fudge was beginning to get slightly agitated. Eventually Umbridge also noticed Fudge's agitation with a start and immediately began to try to end the interview.

'Thank you Professor,' she said airily, 'I think we have enough to be going on with now. I'm sure we will be able to deal with the creatures you have described so far.'

'Assuming I agree to relinquish stewardship of the Forest, of course.' murmured Dumbledore.

Fudge looked startled. 'But that's why you were giving us all that information wasn't it? Dumbledore?' he squawked.

The Headmaster smiled. 'I was describing the creatures you would have to deal with if you were so foolish as to try to interfere with the Forbidden Forest, Minister.'

Fudge was now looking more agitated and glanced worriedly at Umbridge, as if beseeching her to let the subject drop

Umbridge, however, lost her temper.

'There is no 'try' about it, Dumbledore. The Ministry will take over the Forbidden Forest, and you will have no further say in the matter. The creatures you have described are easily within the capabilities of the Ministry to deal with and deal with them we shall. I suggest you take yourself and this spoiled brat back to your school before I forget that I suggested any sort of agreement regarding the cruciatus curse and have Mr. Potter here transferred to Askaban without trial!'

'What about the creatures I have not described?' asked Dumbledore quietly.

'There are no 'other creatures'. You are just stalling for time, Dumbledore!' snarled Umbridge.

The Headmaster, however, was staring at Cornelius Fudge. The Minister was looking panic stricken and shaking Umbridge's shoulder, but she stared defiantly at the Headmaster as if daring him to contradict so she could order her guard wizards to grab Harry. There was no doubt in Harry's mind now; as he looked round, he could see the two wizards tensing for action.

Dumbledore's voice cut through Harry's consciousness like a knife. 'Jump out of here now, Harry! Get to the fountain then go straight home! - And get it right!'

Harry stood stunned for a second or two. Firstly, Dumbledore was apparently telling him to disapparate, secondly, the headmaster hadn't actually said anything - the voice had been in his mind! He glanced at the tableau before him; Fudge staring desperately at Umbridge who was staring at Dumbledore who was staring at – Fudge - but not Fudge. The features were blurring, a pony-tail was appearing vaguely behind the head and the figure was getting taller as the features changed to a well remembered face, that had once spoken with Remus Lupin's voice!

Harry closed his eyes and strove to picture the fountain in the atrium with all his might. The first syllables of the Petrificus spell were echoing through his brain and he could almost feel the hands of the wizards behind reaching for him, as he locked the picture in his mind and hauled it towards him.

- o -

The fountain was suddenly inches in front of Harry's face, and he stumbled slightly to avoid toppling into the water.

He could move! He'd got it right! YES! He looked at the statue for a few seconds.

'Thanks' he murmured. 'If I ever called you ugly, I take it all back'

Harry's jubilation was short lived however. Where was Professor Dumbledore? He should have been right behind Harry, or had he stayed to let Harry get away?

Harry turned, and started down the empty entrance hall towards the double doors and the lift landing at the end, wand at the ready. Everything seemed quiet, but he suddenly glimpsed a flash through the doors that led past the lift area to the Ministerial suite. Dumbledore's mental instruction came back fourfold, as if the Headmaster could sense his action.

'Go Home!'

Another flash, larger than the first, and bright red; another sudden mental urging.

'GO HOME!'

Home?

Harry jerked to a stop, thinking. His only home was Hogwarts, but the only place he could memorise a location to jump to was Grimmauld Place - because the Headmaster had told him to! Quickly, he concentrated on the study in Grimmauld Place, mentally praying that Dobby had kept it clear as instructed, and again hauled the picture in his mind towards him.

- o -

Harry fell forwards on the floor, at the feet of an astonished George Weasley

George yelled incoherently, grabbed his wand off the desk and levelled it at Harry. The tip was vibrating and a blue spark was flickering and jumping on the end, threatening to earth itself on Harry's nose, only inches away. A sudden flurry of movement at the door, and another yell, saw Fred Weasley slam the door back and dive into the room, with wand poised for action.

'What? – Where? – Have they founds us?' gasped Fred. ' – OH! --- Harry?'

'Yeah --- Harry? What in Merlin's name are you doing here?' added George. 'You nearly got roasted then, mate, jumping in here like that. What the blazes is going on?'

Fred had recovered his composure and closed the door and he was picking up the chair the door had knocked over. 'Yeah, Harry, why aren't you up at Hogwarts? – And why did you jump straight into here? I didn't know you could apparate.'

Harry grabbed George's offered hand and hauled himself to his feet. 'Never mind that,' he said in a panicky voice. 'Dumbledore's in trouble, at the Ministry.'

'What?' asked Fred.

'Why?' asked George

'How?' they echoed.

'The coup they've been going on about in the papers.' explained Harry, urgently. 'Someone was impersonating Fudge. Dumbledore was fighting them and he told me to go home, trouble is this is the only place I know as a reference! There were four of them, maybe more! You've got to help!'

'What?' asked Fred.

'Why?' asked George.

'H—'

'Oh for Merlin's sake don't start that again!' groaned Harry. 'This is important! We need to get some help!'

'Hang on, Harry!' urged Fred, 'Tell us a bit more, before we leap into action. Why were you in the Ministry?'

'To see Fudge about my using the Cruciatus Curse, though it turned out it wasn't Fudge, It was some longhaired Auror who's in with Umbridge! He just looked like Fudge to start with! It must have been Polyjuice!'

'Umbridge!' The two Weasleys spoke together.

'Yeah, Umbridge! She was using me to pressure Dumbledore into giving the Ministry control of the Forbidden Forest. I got out because Dumbledore taught me to apparate.

Fred looked at George. 'So he's still there?'

'YES! yelled Harry. 'I was going to go straight back from the entrance hall but he told me to go home, and I thought I could call up the order somehow, from here.'

'All right! – Keep your hair on Harry. Now how do we get there?'

There was a sudden silence. The twins looked at one another.

'We don't have mental coordinates, Harry, we can't apparate there.' said Fred, apologetically. 'Can you?'

'Yeah, I can get back there, to the fountain.'

George looked thoughtful. 'Well, we can't; and the main entrance is likely to be stiff with guards now, since you got out.'

'Floo?' asked Fred.

'Dunno. Does the floo system work here, Harry?'

Harry looked helplessly at them. 'No idea!'

'There's no powder, anyway' muttered George. 'We'd be using it if it worked, instead of going out in that freezing garden! At least we won't need to do that any more.'

'Portkey? murmured Fred.

'You can make a portkey?' asked Harry, eagerly.

'Er – no. Can you George?'

'No.' sighed George.

'Which leaves walking!' snarled Fred, smacking one fist into the palm of his other hand.

'Takes ages.'

'What about another member of the Order?' said Harry.

'Kingsley?'

'Lives in North London, somewhere.'

'Lupin?'

'With Charlie'

'Dad?'

'You are joking, aren't you?'

'Amelia Bones?'

Fred just shrugged. 'Walking it is. Lets go George.'

George nodded heavily. 'Right, Harry, you stay here and try to get a message to the order. Dobby can probably fi-'

'I'm coming too!'

'No'

'I know where he was!'

'They'll have moved him by now; -if they got him.'

'They might not have! I'll be ok now I'm not surrounded. Dammit, I've fought bloody Voldemort!'

Fred and George looked at each other and then looked sceptically at Harry.

'They want you as well as him, now stay here!' ordered Fred.

Harry looked defiantly at them, as they walked to the door together. 'I'll just follow yo–'

But the door was already opening.

'Thank you Harry, - that will not be necessary,' murmured Professor Dumbledore, in the sudden silence precipitated by his appearance.

'Professor?' said George in amazement.

'Mister Weasley?'

'We, – well, – you got away?' added Fred, somewhat unnecessarily.

'When I cannot get away from four mediocre wizards, Mr Weasley, I will either be unconscious, - or dead.' He turned to Harry.

'Well done, Harry. A masterful escape, and something else Dolores Umbridge now knows you can do, I fear. I am disappointed, however, that you still see fit to throw yourself back into danger. I am just grateful you didn't return immediately you reached the entrance hall.'

Harry blushed at the memory of starting to do just that.

'You knew, Professor?'

'That an impostor was playing Fudge? Well, let us say I was so surprised at the change in heart of the ersatz Fudge that I took a quick peek inside his mind. I couldn't press hard enough to get any concrete thoughts, for fear of discovery, but it felt so strange I decided to play for time, on the basis that Polyjuice potion was used in the attack on the your house mates, Harry.'

Fred and George were not so easily deflected though, once set on course.

'What's happened to Fudge then, Professor?' asked Fred.

'Yes, and will Umbridge be putting a stop to Dad's experiments?' asked George, in a worried tone.

Harry perked up his ears at the word 'experiments'. He knew Arthur Weasley had been working on something secret in the Ministry Department of Mysteries, but this was confirmation that he was still involved.

Dumbledore however, smiled. 'Dolores Umbridge will not be putting a stop to anything, Mr. Weasley,' he chuckled. 'At present, she and her assistants are sleeping soundly in the Minister's study, guarded by Madam Bones and two other members of her personal staff. Kingsley Shacklebolt is on his way and will be taking her for interrogation tonight.'

Harry shivered at the word 'interrogation', imagining all manner of horrors in the deepest parts of the Ministry complex.

'What about Fudge?' asked George. 'Have they found him?'

Dumbledore was silent for a second or two. 'No, - they have not.'

Harry was the first to ask the obvious question. 'Who's going to take his place, until he's found, Professor?'

Dumbledore was silent a good deal longer this time. 'For the moment, no one, Harry. Madam Bones has sufficient authority to carry out the day-to-day running of the Ministry, and I expect Mr. Fudge to be found well before any significant problems arise.'

'And if he isn't?' queried George.

'The matter will be put to the Wizengamot, of course.' answered the Headmaster stiffly.

Harry wondered what the Wizengamot would say to that. There was a good chance that the more adventurous members would ask the Professor himself to be Minister of Magic. Where would that leave the School? And where would it leave Harry? The Headmaster was still providing a considerable amount of additional tuition, and Harry knew he needed every second of it, to survive. After all, without the Headmaster's teaching, Harry would probably be incarcerated in a secluded part of the Ministry, awaiting the displeasure of Dolores Umbridge.

Fred and George were a good deal more certain, however.

'They'll offer it to you, Professor.' laughed Fred.

'Yeah. – Albus Dumbledore – Minister of Magic!' added George. 'It's got a good ring to it, Prof.'

Dumbledore raised his eyes to the ceiling. 'I do not mind you calling me Albus, young Weasley,' he said solemnly, 'but "Prof" I will not allow.'

'Sorry Pro – fessor,' mumbled George, but Dumbledore was obviously smiling.

'Enough. I have preparations to make and a search to organise - perhaps you two could help? – whilst I think Harry should go back to the School. I do not think the use of a cruciatus curse will be bothering him again for a long while.'

Harry could see the sense of returning to the School, but the idea of participating in the search held a good deal more interest. The Headmaster forestalled his question, before it even got asked.

'I would ask you to accompany us, Harry, but I fear your lack of knowledge of the magical community here in London, and the labyrinthine nature of the Ministry, rather preclude your participation.'

Harry sighed.

'There is one thing I would as you to do, however,' added the Headmaster, thoughtfully. He passed his hand over a ring on the index finger of his right hand, then pulled the ring from his finger and handed it to Harry. 'This ring marks the Head Teacher of Hogwarts School and holds a number of useful, though not essential, powers. I would like you to hand this to Professor McGonagall. I will be communing with her shortly, informing her that she is to take over my duties until I return. I do not intend to be long, however I foresee a possibility that finding the Minister may turn out to be a protracted undertaking.'

Harry looked at the ring with trepidation. 'Can't you bring the ring with you, Professor?'

Dumbledore slipped the ring on Harry's middle finger, where it suddenly became small enough to fit properly. 'Time is of the essence, Harry and a thousand and one things may hinder my departure back here.' Dumbledore looked at Harry over the top of his spectacles and handed him a book from the library 'This will be your portkey. Hold it still.'

Harry did as he was told whilst Dumbledore touched his wand to the book and mumbled a spell'

'There. Touch page 4 and you will be transported to my study. Please do not tarry unduly here.'

Harry nodded then watched Dumbledore take a small paperweight from the desk and cast another spell over it before handing it too Fred.

'Now then, - Frederick – this portkey will take you to the Ministry entrance. You are to find Kingsley Shacklebolt in the Ministerial Suite and take your orders from him. George, you are to apparate to the Burrow to get your father. Tell him to accompany you to the Ministry by Portkey. He knows how to create one for that particular journey, having apparated there so many times.'

The twins nodded almost as earnestly as Harry.

'Yes Professor.' They said almost in unison.

Fred smiled at George and Harry; 'Right see you later Bro, and take care, Harry!' he added, before touching the top of the paperweight and disappearing.

George looked worriedly at Harry. 'Take care mate, Tell Ron hello, and give my love to Gin when you see her.'

Harry smiled automatically, and waited whilst George composed himself, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and disappeared to the Burrow.

Albus Dumbledore had stood watching as the Twins left; now he too made ready to depart.

'I will return to the School as soon as possible, Harry' he said sternly. '– and I would prefer that you went straight there, not via a slight diversion to the Ministry. I realise you could achieve the jump safely, but the excuse of self defence will no longer be available when the Ministry officials want to talk to you about underage and unlicensed apparation.'

Harry gulped at the thought of being accused of wrongdoing by yet another branch of the Ministry – especially as the idea had been lurking in the corner of this mind for several minutes.

'Yes, Professor.' he said, meekly.

Dumbledore gave Harry one last sceptical glance, then his eyes took on a faraway look, and he too disappeared.

- o -

Harry stood disconsolately looking at the place where Dumbledore had vanished. Once again, he had been left out, though even he could see the logic in the decision. He supposed he ought to head straight for Hogwarts, McGonagall would be expecting him almost immediately since Dumbledore was going to communicate with her.

Harry felt a certain reluctance to leave, however. Here, he was in his own house, protected by powerful charms, with no need to avoid certain persons, or carry the responsibility for teaching that he had never asked for and still sometimes wondered if he was fit to carry out.

A knock on the door snapped him back to reality. The sight of Dobby's head appearing round it brought back to Harry that he was responsible for others here as well.

'Master Harry Potter has visited us. Will Master be staying here for long?' asked Dobby subserviently.

Harry smiled wryly and shook his head. 'I'm sorry Dobby, Professor Dumbledore told me to go straight to Hogwarts.'

Dobby nodded slowly. 'Master Harry must do as the Professor says. The Professor knows what must be done. – Dobby and Winky are glad to see Harry Potter, even for a short time.'

Harry finally noticed Winky peeking out from behind Dobby. He couldn't help but smile again. 'I'm pleased to see you both. Are you managing alright?'

Both house elves nodded vigorously. 'We are house elves, Master Harry. We manage Mister Fred and Mister George without any trouble.''

It seemed as though the twins were still fighting back feebly, by the sound of it.

Harry grinned. 'Good, I'm pleased with you both. Now I must go back to the School. I'll return for the Christmas Holidays.

Harry watched as the two house elves backed out of the study and the door closed. He looked round the study once more, fleetingly wishing he could just settle in with a cocoa and the books for an hour or so. He took one last look at the desk, then he opened the book and touched page 4.

As the Portkey whisked him back to school, Harry just had time to wonder who Fred had meant when he'd asked 'Have they founds us?' - before he landed on the carpet of the headmaster's study with a thump.

- o -

A gasp, and an excited murmuring from several of the portraits that lined the walls greeted Harry's arrival in the Headmaster's study. One Headmistress, named on the plaque beneath her portrait as Dilys Derwent, (1741 – 1768) made a point of looking closely at Harry as he scrambled to his feet.

'Harry Potter.' She said clearly.

Harry scrambled to his feet and turned to the portrait whilst straightening his clothing.

'You know who I am?' he asked, slightly incredulously.

'Of course! You visited St Mungo's several weeks ago, with the Headmaster.'

'How do you know that?'

'My other picture hangs there, in the entrance hall.' She paused. 'That is not the first time I have seen you. You were there to visit Arthur Weasley, last Christmas.'

Harry finally recalled the picture in the main entrance to St Mungo's. 'Do you know how my friend Nymphadora Tonks is?' he asked on impulse.

Dilys Derwent seemed about to upbraid Harry for wasting his time, but her face softened slightly and she shut her eyes for several seconds in apparent concentration.

'She is apparently progressing well.' stated the old Headmistress once she opened her eyes again. 'According to the nearest picture, she is able to walk and is starting to take some exercise.'

The Headmistress looked at Harry closely once more. 'Now, to return the favour, perhaps you can tell me what has happened in London?'

'I think there has been an attempt to take over the Ministry.'

'By Voldemort?' hissed another portrait.

'No. Just some people in the Ministry.' He thought for a second. 'Do any of you remember Dolores Umbridge?'

Several more hisses of displeasure were punctuated by a single cheer. The cheer seemed to come from the portrait of Phineas Nigellus.

'It was her – and some other ministry wizards. They've been stopped, - but Minister Fudge is missing.'

There was another burst of murmuring from the portraits. 'No one knows?' asked a mutton chop whiskered old Headmaster.

Harry shook his head. 'He could be hidden anywhere.' Something at the back of his mind made a sudden contact. Portraits, - lost persons, - Arthur Weasley, - the Ministry.

'Maybe you could find him.' he said loudly.

The portraits were silent.

'Between you, you must be able to find almost anything in the Wizarding world, if you ask around from your other paintings. There's hundreds of you.'

'And why would we want to help Cornelius Fudge?' asked one evil looking Wizard.

'Because the alternative is Umbridge, and you lot would be facing the wall in no time if she got into this office again.'

There was more silence.

'Very well.' muttered another wizard. 'We will try. To whom should we report any findings?'

'To any one of you in the Ministry that is closest to the Ministerial suite. Whoever that is should report to Madam Amelia Bones, Kingsley Shacklebolt or the Headmaster. – oh and Fred and George Weasley'

'The Weasley Twins?' gasped a headmistress. 'They are the most unworthy, shiftless pair of hooligans to have disgraced this castle since – well since – '

'The Weasley Twins!' said Harry firmly.

'Oh very well.' muttered a headmaster. 'On your own head be it though! Don't say we didn't warn you!'

Harry watched as the figures started walking into each other's portraits and talking. Order quickly appeared out of seeming chaos, and the headmasters and headmistresses began to vanish to other locations. Dylis Derwent watched as the last disappeared.

'Well done, Potter. First time I've seen them act in unison since the last Goblin Wars.' She turned to Harry. 'You'd better get moving. It's getting late, and you need to give that ring to Professor McGonagall before dinner.'

At the mention of dinner, Harry's insides gave a sudden grumble of hunger.

'Yeah. Thanks. I'll – er – be going then'

Harry nodded to the painting and hurried out of the study. He was conscious that he had spent the last fifteen minutes talking to a bunch of pictures.