17. The Plot Thickens

Hagrid picked the runaway soccer ball from the ground.

"Here yeh go," he said,throwing it back to Bart's friend.

"Thanks," Milhouse called over his shoulder.

"What's that kid's name again?"

"Milhouse," Dumbledore said. "Milhouse Van Houten. A good friend of

Bart's. He's not the one they were watching."

"What'd you say to that guy,Professor?" Harry asked.

"Hmmm?"

"Warren. What did you say to him?"

"It's not what I said. I showed him what would happen if you or

Hagrid were harmed in any way."

"Must've been pretty awful."

"He thought so. I'm not a violent man,but-"

"Yer the least violent man I know," Hagrid said.

"Thank you,Hagrid. I'm not a violent man,but I'll gladly make

an exception for people who threaten those whom I care about.Why do

you suppose my nose looks like it does?"

Harry didn't know what to say. "Thank you."

"You're quite welcome."

The three of them sat together in silence,watching the children

play. Dumbledore began humming to himself; he had seen the

enrollment list of Springfield Elementary,and now he knew the name

and face of every single student. Martin Prince had come by a few

minutes ago to say hello. Martin didn't seem to have many friends,

but he was far from a loner. As he ran away,Dumbledore saw a

horrible scene in his head; a birthday party,Martin's. His parents

had served oysters instead of cake and many people became

dreadfully ill.

"How will we know who it is?" Harry asked,the next time he spoke.

"We're looking for a loner, Harry. Someone quiet."

"But aren't they out of danger now?"

"Warren was a Death Eater," Dumbledore said. "There will be others.

Warren was employed by the American government. They've been

watching the town for years."

"They have?"

"Doin' what?" Hagrid asked.

"Observing."

"Working with the Death Eaters?" Harry asked. He had a dozen other

questions whirling around in his head.

"I honestly don't know. He wouldn't say anything else."

As he finished speaking,the bell rang.

Principal Skinner ushered the children back inside. Then he hurried

over to the hut. "Listen,I hate to do this,but my third grade

teacher-"

"Miss Hoover?" Dumbledore asked.

"She has an appointment with her,uh,gynecologist-"

Dumbledore smiled. "I would be happy to temporarily replace her."

"Thanks," Skinner said. He ran back into the building.

"How long has it been since you taught?" Hagrid asked.

"It's not as if I don't remember,Hagrid. Besides,I won't be

teaching them how to turn mice into bowling balls. I sometimes sit

in for our own professors when they're ill or away. This is no

different."

"If yeh say so,Professor Dumbledore,sir."

"I'll see you after classes let out."

With a nod,Professor Dumbledore left them,walked across the

playground,and entered the school.