Chapter 12
Walpurgis Night
Harry and Ron awoke one morning and were getting dressed, when Ron happened to glance at the Chudley Cannons calendar hanging up in their dormitory.
"Hey Harry, tonight is Walpurgis Night." They both looked at each other and laughed. Surely nothing could happen tonight?
The day was like any other Wednesday with Herbology and Muggle studies to fill the day up. Professor Sprout was her usual zesty self and trying her best to get them interested in the Asphodel plant a rather boring plant compared to the Mandrakes they had a couple of years back. All were looking forward to Muggle Studies, which was usually good fun.
After grabbing something to eat, Ron and Harry were walking towards Evi's room. Hermione had forgotten something and had run off to get it from her room. As they walked along the corridor they heard someone shouting at them. They both turned around and it was Malfoy.
"Hurrying along to your favourite lesson, Potter? Where you can learn all about Mudbloods, like Granger." Harry would have hit him so hard but Hermione was now standing behind Malfoy
"Something you wanted, Malfoy?" She said scaring the life out of Malfoy who obviously didn't know she was there. They looked at each other for a moment, in this mini staring competition, in which Hermione won. Malfoy backed down, and shoved his way passed Harry. Ron and Harry were more than confused, as it was strange for Malfoy to back down, especially to Hermione.
Harry had seen the way they had been together recently. He wouldn't say a word against her, and if he did, she gave him this look and he would instantly stop. Harry was more than suspicious. He suspected that something was going on between them. It wasn't like he didn't have proof, after the Yule Ball dance and the way they look at each other sometimes, Harry seriously started to think that they were item.
Soon they were in Muggle studies and although Evi still wasn't in the best of moods, she seemed better than she was on Saturday. The lesson went too quietly for everyone's liking, and Seamus was the brave one to ask Evi if they could do something else.
"Please Evi, this lesson is usually so fun." Seamus argued.
"Fun! I'm supposed to teach you. Not let you have fun." Saturday was obviously still on her mind. It seemed to have quite an effect on her hearing about the deaths. "you know what? Just leave, you are dismissed from my class. Apart from you Hermione. Can I have a word?" and the rest of the class disappeared, but Ron and Harry waited outside, and listened to what was being said inside the classroom.
"Hermione, I need to get seriously pissed. Fancy joining me?" Evi said sitting down behind her desk.
"I shouldn't really, being a school night…"
"Don't think so much about what you should do. Live a little," was Evi's reply.
"Well, I have the rest of the day off, so what time should I come to your room?" Hermione asked.
"Anytime, about four o clock ok with you?"
"Sure." Hermione said walking towards the door.
"Oh, by the way, the password for my room is Bagpuss. Saves you knocking on the door." Hermione came out and joined Ron and Harry outside the classroom.
"Having a girls night in then Hermione?" Harry said.
"Yeah, well she needs cheering up." And they all headed off to the common room for a while to play exploding snap. At quarter to four, Hermione sneaked off to Evi's room, leaving behind a very bored Ron and Harry.
"So what can we do now?" Ron asked placing another card on the table.
"Dunno, there's not a lot we can do with all these safety regulations in place." Harry said place the queen of hearts on top of Ron king of spades.
"We could always go and visit Hagrid. We haven't seen him in ages." Ron suggested. Ron put the queen of clubs on top of Harry's queen and it went off with a bang.
"That's a great idea. Let's go now. Teachers won't be patrolling yet." Harry said running out of the common room and down to the entrance hall. The peered round the corner to see if anyone was there. The coast was clear and they headed out towards Hagrids hut. They had only ever seen Hagrid in Care of Magical Creatures lessons recently. It had been a while since they really talked with him.
Harry and Ron knocked on Hagrids door and when he opened it, they could clearly see that he was happy to see them.
"Cum in, cum in." he said ushering them into his huts. "I'll make you two a cup o' tea while ya tell me how yous been." Hagrid said banging pots and pans around.
"We're great really. We're sorry we hadn't called on you earlier but we've be loaded with homework."
"Well, dats understandable with your exams cumin up and all. How do you think ya gonna do?" Hagrid asked.
"Hopefully we will pass them," Ron said, "but it's going to be hard work. Hermione worried she's going to fail but we all know that she's got nothing to worry about. She's probably the only one who doesn't have to worry as even if she does badly in an exam, she will still pass." They all laughed, because that was such a true statement.
"Shud do well in my exam anyways. You just have to watch ova a Jarvey for an hour without him causing havac and insulting everyone."
"But those things insult everyone!" Ron said disheartened.
"Aye, but make sure he doesn't escape or fight to get out of his box and you pass."
"Sounds as easy as our muggle studies exam." Harry commented.
"Wot you doin for dat? Professor Dementia hasn't telt neone what she's doing. She's just asked Dumbledore for a special assembly as the end of the year." Hagrid enquired.
"I think she wants it to be a surprise." Harry said.
"Oh, come on Harry, Hagrids not going to tell anyone. We are playing in a band." He said excitedly.
"A band?" Hagrid repeated. "Wot kinda band?"
"Rock band!" Ron answered. "I'm on the bass guitar, Harry is on the lead guitar, Neville on the drums and Hermione is our amazing singer."
"Hermione?" Why didn't she cum tonite?" Hagrid said, sounding rather hurt.
"She would have," Harry explained, "but she is having a girls night in with Evi, I mean Professor Dementia."
"I often see those two around, that or Professor Dementia and Professor Snape. They seem to spend a lot of time together." Harry and Ron didn't interrupt him. Did he know something that they didn't? "Aye, I remember when she was a young lass at the school. Professor Snape always seemed to have a soft spot for her. Could do no wrong in his eyes. It was very strange, even Dumbledore thought so, both said they just got on, but Dumbledore reckons it's something else. Dunno what tho."
"What was she like when she was here?" Ron asked.
"Nice; lass really, which was surprising."
"Why surprising?" Harry asked confused at why it was surprising that she was a nice lass.
"Well being a Slytherin and all, you would think she wouldn't be, but she was the nicest one in the school. Sorta explains her and Malfoy."
"Malfoy?" Harry and Ron exclaimed simultaneously.
"Yeah. I don't mean Draco or Lucius, I mean Crispin Malfoy, Draco's older brother. Evelyn Dementia and Crispin were a couple for a while." That was more of a puzzle.
"I've heard that name before." Ron said, digging deep into his memory banks. "Evi mentioned it first time we met here. She asked Draco how his brother Crispin was. But he denied that he had a brother called Crispin." He said proudly for remembering.
"He wud do. Disgraced the name o' Malfoy did Crispin. He was such a gud lad and he didn't believe in all that codswallop about pureblood. Well, dating a girl like Evelyn Dementia, you cudn't believe in all dat."
"Why do you say that?" Harry asked.
"Simple. It was known that her mother was a muggle, or so her father told her. Never telt neone who her father is either. Big mystery was dat. All is known is dat she was raised by friends of her parents."
"How familiar that sounds." Harry quirked.
"But they weren't together long," Hagrid continued trying to change the subject, "he left the school and then she followed. Never graduated did either of em."
Ron was walking around the room looking at all of Hagrids' things and pouring his tea into the plant around his hut when he noticed something.
"Hey, a Daily Prophet! We aren't allowed these anymore."
"And rightly so." Hagrid said snatching the paper from Ron's hands. "Load of trash they print in ere."
"Come on Hagrid," Harry pleaded, "We feel cut off from the real world."
"No!" he said abruptly, "There's a good reason why Dumbledore has banned this. After what happened last year to Hermione, I thought you two would understand." Hagrid said shoving the paper into his huge pocket.
"It's getting' late too. You betta go. I'll walk you both to the castle door and you can make your own way up." He grabbed his coat and they all left the hut and made their way to the castle with Fang in tow,
"This is where I leave you lads. Be careful on your way up. Don't wanna get caught out of bed now do ya?" He said as he watched them walked into the castle and off to the Gryffindor common room.
They crept round the corridors hoping they would go un-noticed, rather like someone else out that night. Professor Grimalkin was also creeping round the school. Harry and Ron spotted her on the sixth floor coming down the stairs towards them.
"Quick, in here." Harry said, dragging Ron through a door near the stairs. They had taken refuge in an upper floor storage room. Harry kept the door ajar slightly, so he could tell when Professor Grimalkin had gone past.
Harry watched as she tiptoed down the stairs and out of sight. Ron was sitting at the back of the room, rummaging through the boxes and bags full of goodies. Inside the boxes were hundreds of packets of Sherbet Lemons.
"Why Sherbet Lemons?" Ron asked.
"Dumbledore's favourite sweet." Harry answered remembering when he was told that by McGonagall. They both stuffed a few packets into their pockets and double checked that the coast was clear. They quietly came out from the room and made their way up the final flight of stairs to the Gryffindor Common room. They were just getting to the portrait of the Fat Lady when they heard a scream coming from inside the Common room and out came Ginny.
"Ginny, what's up?" Ron asked grabbing his sister who had tears pouring down her very pale face.
"It's…it's…horrible." And she started to sob. Ron looked at Harry, who went into the common room to see what had happened. The whole Gryffindor house were up because of Ginny's scream, and all standing round looking at the middle of the floor. Lying in the middle of the rug was the body Ginny's friend, Angeline Chambers, covered in blood. She was dead.
Harry stepped outside to see how Ginny was. She was still crying in Ron's arms. Harry pulled Ron to one side.
"It's Angeline, she's dead." Ron seemed more upset than even Ginny was.
"I knew something was going to happen, tonight of all nights. Why didn't we say anything?" Ron whispered, and turning back to look at the distraught Ginny sitting on the floor leaning against the banister.
"How were we to know that something would happen tonight? Nothing has happened on this night for years. You look after Ginny; it isn't a sight anyone would want to see, Ron. I'll go and get someone." Ron returned to his little sis and sat on the floor with her comforting her the best he could. Harry didn't even make it down three steps before he saw Professor McGonagall making her way up to the common room.
"Mr Potter, what are you doing up at this hour?" She asked. Harry explained to her what had happened. She stood for a moment on the stairs in shock, and Harry was worried that she might faint or collapse or something, she had gone that pale.
"Mr Potter, please go and fetch Professor Dumbledore. The password to his room is Cherry Drops." And she went inside to get everyone back into their dormitories, while Ron and Ginny still sat outside.
Harry made it to the Gargoyle in the tower, which was the entrance to Dumbledore's office. He stood in front of the statue and said the password. The Gargoyle opened to reveal the spiral staircase Harry had seen quite a few times now. Once inside Dumbledore's Office, Harry wondered where Dumbledore was.
"Professor Dumbledore?" He called out. "Something has happened which you need to know about." Harry said, but still no reply. Faulks was asleep on his perch, and looked as graceful as he did peaceful.
"Faulks? Faulks?" Harry sat lightly tapping the Phoenix, who slowly woke up to find Harry staring at him. "Faulks, I need to see Dumbledore. Can you get him for me?" Harry asked. Faulks just blinked and looked at Harry, almost reluctant to get off his perch. "It's really important. Professor McGonagall needs him." Faulks gave himself a shake and flew into the small room adjoining to the office. After a couple of minutes, Dumbledore appeared from behind the curtain along with Faulks who flew back down to his perch and went straight back to sleep.
"Can I help you with anything Harry?" Dumbledore tiredly asked.
"Someone's been killed." Harry said bluntly. Dumbledore came down the stairs as fast as he could and Harry led him to the Gryffindor common room. Professor McGonagall was outside with Ron and Ginny, who was still crying.
Dumbledore and McGonagall went off to one side and talked, and Harry returned to Ron and Ginny.
"How's she doing?" Harry asked.
"Not good. She hasn't stopped crying, and she won't tell me what had happened. Maybe you could talk to her? We all know she has a thing about you, she might talk to you." Ron suggested. Harry sat down beside her and put his arm around her shoulders.
"Ginny, can you tell me what happened?" Harry softly asked.
"I don't know." She sobbed. "She had stayed up to do an essay she had forgotten about and I went to bed. I couldn't sleep, and then I heard a noise."
"What kind of noise?" Harry asked her trying not to seem pushy or insensitive.
"Like someone was downstairs in the common room. Then I remembered that Angeline was still down there. I went down to see if she needed any help, and…and that's when I found her." And she burst into even more tears. Harry gave her a hug and it's seemed to help.
No-one in Gryffindor got much sleep. They were all ushered into the Great Hall and made to sleep on the floor. Ron, Ginny and Harry went to the Hospital wing. Ginny had exhausted herself crying and everyone decided that she needed to take some chocolate and sleep.
"I don't want to leave her like this Professor. Would it be ok if Harry and I stayed with her? It might help her sleep if we are there." Ron asked.
"Well, I suppose if it would help. You boys can stay here, but only for tonight." Madam Pomfrey told them.
Harry and Ron couldn't get any sleep that night. Ron spent the whole night at his sister's bedside as she cried herself into a restless sleep.
By the morning, Angeline's body had been taken away and her muggle parents had been sent an express owl. The news of the death of Angeline sent shockwaves throughout the school, but as usual, Malfoy was his usual cocky self.
"It's was bound to happen one day, especially with Dumbledore in charge. Pity it didn't happen earlier," he announced.
"Just ignore him Ron," Cho said stopping Ron from hitting Malfoy. "He's not worth getting in trouble over." Ginny wasn't any better, she had made herself ill from crying, and wasn't taking any food at all.
Ron, Hermione and Harry were sitting together with Cho in the Great Hall one night at dinner.
"That's the second time we've seen Grimalkin out and about when there's been an attack and each time, she's been coming from the scene of the crime. Isn't that enough proof?" Ron whispered.
"No, we need solid proof. It's our word against hers and do you remember what happened before? They're unlikely to believe us," Harry reminded them
"But Evi saw her out once as well."
"Yeah, but so was Evi. Grimalkin was right when she said she would just be incriminating herself." They all wanted to do what was right, but if the ministry won't believe Snape, an almost respected Hogwarts teacher, what hope have three students got?
No-one was looking forward to Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson that week. Professor Grimalkin acted like nothing had really happened.
"What is the matter with you all today? It's like someone's died in here." Everyone knew it was just better to ignore her unfeeling nature and get on with their work. She was often looking for someone to give detention, and it was usually Harry, but no-one would say anything, as her detentions were the worst of all, even worse than Snape's. She has had Harry cleaning out the spider infested cupboard, helping Filch clean out the toilets, mopping up the floor in Moaning Myrtles bathroom, and cleaning her classroom floor with a toothbrush without magic. If she was forced to give someone from Slytherin house detention, it was often a hundred lines saying I'll never do that again.
Everyone was thankful when her lesson finished, even though they had a six foot essay to do on the evils of chocolate ("Are there any evils of chocolate?"), they just wanted to get away from her snide remarks about Angeline.
To top everything off, the ministry were investigating the murder, and Harry was only thankful that the Dementors weren't coming this time. Everyone had to be interviewed, but Harry, Hermione and Ron weren't in the common room that night.
"What are we going to do?" Ron asked worried.
"We have to tell the truth." Hermione said.
"But we can't. If they find out that we weren't in our rooms, but either n Evi's or Hagrid's, we'll get them into trouble too, even more than we will be in."
"But we can't lie." Hermione said in a rather panicky voice. "If I lie to the Ministry they'll kick me off the Student Committee."
"And they won't for underage drinking?" Harry said. He could see what Hermione meant, the Committee meant a lot to her, but what else could they do?
"Anyways Hermione, you never did tell us what happened at your first meeting?" Harry said trying to change the subject; he didn't want to upset Hermione again.
"We discussed the muggle deaths, and other things, but I'm not really supposed to say."
"Come on Hermione. Who are we going to tell?" Ron did have a point.
"We discussed the Death Eaters and what they had been up to all around the world. It was horrible. Some of the things I heard, I would rather forget."
"Did you discuss who they were?" Harry asked.
"We had to be careful. I know for a fact that Lucius Malfoy was listening. I saw him outside the doors shortly before I went in. I wouldn't be surprised if he was checking that everything went the way he wanted. I got the rest of the committee off the subject. It's not like it's a safe subject. Anyways, I didn't want them to get to Snape."
"Why would you worry about him?" Ron asked disgusted at Hermione.
"Well, he did save Harry's life. I thought it was the decent thing to do."
"It's not like he's going to thank you for it." Ron snorted.
"Well you were the ones who asked about it. Don't blame me if you don't like what you hear." She said looking at Ron. "One thing did come up though." This interested Ron and Harry. "The fact that most of the Death Eaters got away with it, and some even show off that they were, how they openly showed prejudice against Muggle born wizards. It's amazing how many remarked on that." This got Harry thinking.
"Who do we know who's like that?" Harry said.
'You mean other than Malfoy?" Ron commented. "Professor Grimalkin."
"Right. It has to be her. She openly hates Muggles and we heard her say to Evi that the less Muggle borns alive the better."
"But she couldn't have killed Angeline, she doesn't have the Gryffindor passwords." Hermione reminded Harry.
"Come on Hermione, how easy would it be get them?" Ron added.
"Ron's right. For someone already in the school, it would be incredibly easy to get the passwords. Sirius did it and he doesn't even go to this school." Harry did have a point.
"What are we going to do about the interviews tomorrow?" Hermione said, getting back to her main worry.
"Hermione, just do what you think is best." Harry said, placing his hand on her shoulder. He realised it had been a long time since they last were alone together. He did miss her. Ron was looking at him strangely so he removed his hand from her shoulder
Harry's dreaded interview with Cornelius Fudge was fast approaching. He really had no idea what he was going to say. He had deliberately broken the rules to go and see Hagrid, knowing the flaws in the teacher's security plans. And there was the little problem of what to do about Grimalkin. He knew that if he outright accused her of Angeline's death, it would be instantly dismissed. He needed Cornelius to discover the fact out for himself and that way he would have to do something about it.
However, this may be the only chance Harry had to convince Cornelius that Voldermort was back, and he really couldn't miss this opportunity. He had to say something. When he had relayed his plan to Hermione, she gasped in horror. She insisted that the authorities will be doing something, but Harry was not so convinced.
He sat in the entrance hall outside the small chamber waiting to go inside. Neville was inside, and he seemed to be taking ages. Harry grew more and more nervous the longer the wait went on, so much that his hands went clammy.
Harry had been sitting outside for fifteen minutes when the door opened to reveal Neville and an official. Neville just looked at Harry and went on off the Hall. The official pulled out a piece of parchment.
"Harry Potter." Harry stood up and followed the official inside. At the other end of the room, they had set up a makeshift investigation headquarters. Cornelius Fudge and Dumbledore were sitting on one side of the desk, with an empty chair the other side of the table. Harry sat himself down in the chair provided, while Cornelius finished writing something down.
"Hello again Harry." Cornelius said holding out his hand. Harry shook his hand, still nervous. "Don't look so worried Harry, I just want to ask you a few questions." Still didn't settle Harry, he still didn't know what he was going say.
"I hear from a couple of our class mates that you, Mr Weasley, and Miss Granger weren't in the common room the night of this terrible murder. Would you like to tell me in your own words, where you were?" There wasn't an angry or threatening tone in his voice, it was kind and soothing and Harry knew what he had to do.
"Ron and I went to see Hagrid. We got chatting and lost track of time. We didn't mean to stay out that late. I'm sorry professor." Harry hung his head in shame. He knew that Dumbledore would be disappointed in him.
"Well, I'm glad you said that Harry, as that was exactly what Hagrid told us." Dumbledore told Harry. Harry looked up in shock. Not only was he not in trouble, Hagrid had told them. "He came and told me as soon as he heard what had happened." Harry felt that a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Cornelius addressed him again.
"The only other thing I want to know is did you see anything out of the ordinary?" Harry was back in turmoil. Did he tell about Professor Grimalkin, or not?
"Nothing out of the ordinary Sir. All I saw was Professor Grimalkin going down the stairs." He didn't tell which set of stairs but he had told them that she was up and about that night. If she found out he had told them, she would give him Hell.
"Well thank you Mr Potter. You can go now," Cornelius said dismissing Harry.
"Actually Mr Fudge, I was hoping I can have a word with you," Harry said remaining in his seat. Dumbledore looked at Harry. He couldn't see it but he could feel it. Harry really didn't want Dumbledore to hear what he was going to say. He had already disappointed him enough for one day without the adding insubordination to the list, so he added, "in private," to the end of the sentence.
"Of course. Professor Dumbledore, if you don't mind?" Cornelius said indicating to Dumbledore to leave. Dumbledore slowly rose from his seat and walked out of the room, remembering to close the door behind him.
"Now, what did you want to talk about?" Cornelius' friendly tone invited.
"It's difficult for me to say…" Harry started, rising from his seat to pace around the room.
"Just spit it out boy," Cornelius urged him.
"Before I start, I want your word that you will listen to everything I have to say, without interruption." The last thing Harry wanted was for him to throw him out before he made his point.
"Of course Harry. Please sit down before you wear a hole in the floor." Obviously Harry's nervous behaviour made Cornelius nervous too.
"Sir, I wish to talk to you about… You-Know-Who." Cornelius opened his mouth but Harry beat him to it. "Sir, you promised me no interruptions, and I hold you to that." He closed his mouth and Harry watched as Cornelius' body language became stiff and cold. This was not going to be cheerful conversation.
"Sir, I know you don't believe me when I told you what happened at the end of last year, and frankly I don't blame you. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't believe me either. Ever since I came to this school I have been fighting versions of him. Never a corporialised version, but versions nevertheless. Every year, with the help of the wonderful people of this school, I have been able to fight him off. Last year I couldn't. If he frightens you in general, he frightens me more now. He can now physically do things that he couldn't before.
"People, students at this school, are dying. You know that many have gone missing over the last few months, I don't need to tell you that. But if you pretend that something isn't happening, then he's won. I'm sorry I have to speak to you in such a disheartened tone, but people I care about are being hurt by these disappearances and it's your duty to protect them. Even if you don't believe that he is corporialised now, you still need a contingency plan in case this is possible. All I ask is that you understand that there is a possibility that I am right, and take actions to prevent a major catastrophe," Harry finished. Cornelius Fudge had not moved throughout that whole speech, and Harry was proud of himself especially with the word corporialised. Hermione would be proud. He remained seated hoping that Cornelius would give a reply. Slowly, Cornelius began to stir, like he had been in some sort of trance. He stood up and paced slightly with his hands behind his back, similar to Harry earlier. He suddenly stopped and turned to Harry.
"Well, Mr Potter, first of all I must commend you on your use of language. Very impressive for someone of your age. However, I cannot and will not believe that the Dark Lord is back, and I will take serious action on people who insist on causing panic in the wizarding community by announcing he is back. I will lenient on you this one time." He took his hands from behind his back leaned on the table in front of him, to be close to a seated Harry. "But if I hear that you have spreading rumours, I will have thrown out of this school and your wand snapped. And all your friends' lives will be miseries too. Do I make myself clear?" Cornelius threatened.
"Crystal," Harry replied coldly.
"Good," Cornelius said still angered.
"But let me make myself clear," Harry added. "If you do nothing and people die. Those deaths with be on your head; not mine," and Harry got up. Cornelius looked as if he was just about to blow his top when Dumbledore reappeared in the room.
"Cornelius?" Dumbledore said seeing Harry and Cornelius standing at what appeared to be a stalemate on either side of the table.
"You're dismissed, Mr Potter," Cornelius said through closed teeth.
"Good day, Mr Fudge, Professor Dumbledore," Harry said turning to each of the gentlemen.
"Oh, by the way Harry," Dumbledore added, "I didn't realise that you liked Sherbet Lemons." Harry blushed as the official led him out and as he walked away he heard him call in the next student.
Harry was still fuming when he left the room that he had to get out. He wandered off towards among the grounds. He found his way back to Evi's hiding place and sat on the rock. He started talking to himself.
"I can't believe he can be so naïve. He must be able to read reports of incidents involving Deatheaters. Why doesn't he act?" Harry complained to himself. He was too enraged that he had to get up and pace round to burn off some of that energy. "Snape was right. Hermione was right. He was never going to believe me. He'll probably dismiss my evidence without a second thought. He had already made his mind up when I said Voldermorts name. He's not going to do anything," Harry said realising he mustn't be caught out of school at this time of day, and carefully made his way back to the school, without anyone noticing.
Harry found Ron, sitting in the library trying his best to find things on the Evils of Chocolate. He didn't seem to be having much luck.
"It's impossible. There aren't any evils of Chocolate. She just wants to give everyone detention for not doing this impossible homework." And he slammed down his quill.
"You had your interview?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, it was horrible. Dumbledore knew I was lying."
"What did you say?"
"I told him that we had been to see Hagrid and that on the way back we saw Professor Grimalkin coming down the stairs."
"That's what I said, and he didn't think I was lying." Harry said confused.
"That's not what I was lying about. It's when he asked me which floor I saw her on I lied." He said very quietly.
"What did you say?" Harry asked leaning over the table so her could hear Ron.
"I said I couldn't remember. Dumbledore just looked straight at me. It was like he could see straight through me." Harry knew the feeling; he had had that look from Dumbledore before. "Wonder how Hermione got on?"
They wandered up to the common room and found Hermione sitting on the stairs outside the Gryffindor common room.
"Hey Hermione, how did your interview go?" Harry asked sitting down beside with Ron sitting the other.
"Horribly," she said nearly in tears.
"What happened?" Harry asked concerned.
"Cornelius Fudge went out of his way to play the heavy hand with me. Threatening almost. He warned me that what I said would affect my position on the council. I told him the truth, minus the alcohol, and he still seemed to be sceptical, like he didn't believe me. He said because of this incident my position on the council is now under investigation. Harry, I think they're going to throw me out."
"What time did you have your interview?" Harry asked.
"Er… half two, why?" Hermione wiping the single tear that had run down her face.
"I think it's my fault," Harry said.
"Don't be daft, how can it be your fault?" Ron said.
"Because I had my interview with him first and I…" his voice faltered slightly. He couldn't believe he had done it. "Let's just say Cornelius Fudge is no longer my biggest fan."
"You told him," Hermione said. She didn't look mad Harry thought; however when it comes to woman they can look one thing and be feeling another.
"Yeah I had words with him. I'm so sorry Hermione. I didn't realise he would sink that low to keep me quiet. I should have listened to you," Harry apologised.
"It's alright. I realised that you needed to say something to him so if something did happen, you can always maintain that you warned him. I don't blame you," Hermione said still teary.
"Wonder how everyone else got on?" Harry pondered.
"Well, we know Hagrid told them the truth," Ron said.
"What about Evi?" Harry said looking to Hermione for the answer.
"She may hate Ministry of Magic, but she would never lie to them about this. Her story would back mine up."
"Thus having no reason to throw you out of the committee," Ron added.
"Good point," Hermione smiled.
"Anyways, haven't you got our homework to be doing?" Ron said trying to cheer Hermione up. It seemed to work as laughed and she rubbed her eyes to rid them of tears, and helped them with their impossible essay.