Harry's happiness was soon to be short-lived. That Friday he came
down to the Great Hall with Ron, Hermione and Renata were already there,
eating.
Harry sat down across from Renata and Ron sat across from Hermione. The Prophet landed in front of Hermione and she put some money in the pouch on the owl's leg and began to read, with her face totally hidden behind the paper. She gave a tiny gasp and lowered the paper enough to look at Harry before hiding behind it again.
"What is it?" asked Harry, breaking off from his conversation with Ron.
"Oh, nothing. I'll tell you later." She tried to put the paper away.
"Lemme see it," said Renata, taking hold of the newspaper and opening it before her facing. After about a minute's reading she looked around the side of the paper at Harry. She shuddered. "She's right," Renata said briskly. "You've got Defense Against the Dark Arts next. That's important. You don't need to read this now. Or ever." Those last two words were a mumble.
Harry made a grab for the paper but Renata passed it to Ron instead. "Don't let him read it!" she warned.
Ron opened the newspaper and his reaction was much like Renata and Hermione's. He blinked at Harry, "Blimey."
Hermione took out her wand and set fire to the paper as Harry started to reach for it. "What'd you do that for?"
"You don't need to read that right now, Harry," she said firmly. Ron and Renata nodded agreement.
"I promise to tell you all about it after class," said Renata.
It was nearing time for class so they made their way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Seamus and Dean were already waiting, talking with Parvati and Lavender.
Dean looked up at the newcomers, "Harry, did you read your paper this morning?" His gaze was uneasy.
"No, somebody torched it before I could read it." Harry glared at Hermione.
Neville came up behind Harry. "In that case I think you'd better read mine." He stuck out his copy of the Prophet and Harry took it before Renata, Ron, or Hermione could say a word. What he read sent a cold chill down his spine.
Peter Pettigrew Back From the Grave
Peter Pettigrew was thought to be dead for 14 years.
Thought to have been murdered by Sirius Black. That is
until just 2 years ago when Peter Pettigrew was discovered
alive and it was found out that he was a Deatheater, who
had been working closely with You-Know-Who. 3 witnesses
saw Pettigrew torturing a 2 Muggle-borns last night.
Pettigrew then turned on a one of the witnesses and killed
her while the other two sent up a distress signal.
Unfortunately Pettigrew Disapperated before the proper
authorities arrived. If you see this man contact the
Ministry at once. Minister Fletcher says, "The old
Minister was certainly asleep on the job but you can count
on me to get things done right the first time; I won't put
an innocent man in Azkaban for 12 years without a trial,
unlike some people." This is statement is a deliberate
attack on former Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
Pettigrew killed twelve Muggles 16 years ago with a single
curse. He should be considered armed and dangerous, do not
attempt to capture him yourself.
Underneath article was a rather old picture of Pettigrew. Harry stood numb.
Harry didn't notice Dumbledore approach and shepherd the rest of the class inside, whispering on his way, "Miss Delano, stay here a moment with him and help him sort things out."
Harry didn't notice Renata come over and put her arms around him. "It's okay. You see why we didn't want to show you the article? We were trying to protect you."
"It's not going to be okay."
"It will. They'll catch him."
"No. Why didn't I kill him when I had the chance?"
"Because you're a good guy."
"I should have killed him. Why didn't I?"
"He was your dad's friend, Harry."
"He was a traitor. He betrayed my parents! He as good as killed them."
"Your mom believed there was good in everybody. Just look at Snape or Draco. They aren't completely lost." Her words were soothing but Harry didn't want to be soothed.
"It doesn't matter! Draco's always going to be a git, Snape's always going to hate me, Voldemort will always be evil, and Pettigrew will always be a traitor!"
"Harry, one day, one day soon it seems, you're going to stop Voldemort for good and we're going to be there to help you. You can count on that. You can count on me."
The anger slowly melted out of Harry. "But he might kill us all first," he said solemnly. "I won't let him kill you."
"Don't talk crazy, Harry." She sounded scared, or at least startled. "You always win. Always." She gave him a quick hug. "We'd better get to class."
"Right." He followed her inside and they took their seats at the front of the room.
Dumbledore explained, "We've been discussing this morning's edition of the Daily Prophet. Now, Minister Fletcher's words in the Pettigrew article reveal quite a bit more than he actually says. Anyone care to take a stab at some of the hidden meanings? It's reading between the lines as we have discussed before. Yes, Mister Longbottom?"
"Like the paper says, Fletcher's making a deliberate attack against Fudge. And he seems kind of on the defensive. He hasn't even been in office more than a few months and he's already trying to defend himself before anything negative has even been said."
"Very good. But, I have one minor correction, it was Bartimas Crouch, who sent Sirius Black to Azkaban without a trial, although it certainly would have been in Fudge's power to require a trial, but he didn't. Does anyone know what consequences will likely come from this statement? Yes, Mister Weasley?"
"I bet he's going to get hate-mail from Fudge's supporters."
"Correct, Mister Weasley. In fact he and I have been in contact and he has already begun to receive many owls."
"But not all of them are bad?" asked Hermione.
"No, some whole heartedly agree with his statement, other's did send letters objecting to what he said. They said that the minister should appear neutral concerning the ex-minister."
The discussion continued along this course until the end of the class period. "Excellent discussion, class," Dumbledore told them as they gathered their books.
"Professor, can I talk to you a minute?"
"Of course, Harry. As many minutes as you need. I'm all ears." Dumbledore sat down on top of his desk.
"Well, sir."
"The article?"
Harry nodded.
"I'd be happy to discuss it with you, but you might be better off writing to Remus Lupin or Sirius. I understand that you are angry over your third year and not disposing of Pettigrew then, but you did what your father would have done. I can guarantee that."
Harry nodded. "There's something else though."
"Anything, Harry."
He took a deep breath, "Professor Trelawny's death, sir. I don't believe it was an accident. Like you said, she was murdered. But why murder that old bat?"
"She died because she knew too much."
"I don't understand, sir."
"As you may remember from your third year, Sybil Trelawny does not remember anything she says in her visions, few though they are. But in this instance she was told what she said. And she agreed that for the good of everyone involved to have a charm placed upon her that if ever she was exposed to Veritaserum or put under a Cruciatius Curse, or the Imperius Curse, she would instantly die. This is a rare charm used only once or twice before throughout history to guard the most highly prized secrets."
"Would this secret happen to be the Prophecies of the Boy to Destroy the Dark Lord?"
"How did you learn about that, Harry?"
"Rumors. And a long lost written copy of the Prophecy."
"Where did you obtain the copy?"
"From Hermione, she copied it out of a book from the library years ago. But when she returned the book Madam Pince burned it. Is the prophecy about me, sir?"
"Yes, Harry. I should have told you about it sooner. That prophecy is, to all indications, about you. Beyond a doubt."
"Why me?"
"Because of who you are, Harry. Your parents have asked me to keep this information from you. I can't reveal to you the secrets of their past. But when you graduate, should you live long enough to graduate, I will give you journals written by them that will answer all your questions. I'm free anytime you need to talk, Harry, but I can't tell you everything."
"Yes, sir." Harry felt his knees go weak. This was still an awful lot to swallow.
"Harry, what's your next class?"
"History of Magic."
"What do you say to not going to class? I have no class to teach and have the whole next period free. I'll excuse you from Professor Binn's class and you and I can take a trip if you'd like. Or you can go back to the Gryffindor house and rest a bit."
"I think I'll go with you, sir."
"I was hoping you'd say that. Come to my office after you say goodbye to your friends. You may miss more than one class."
"I don't know where they are."
"Harry, I assure you they are still right outside the door there. Come to my office when you can."
"Thank you, professor." He followed Dumbledore to the door and sure enough, Hermione, Ron, and Renata were waiting for him.
"Come on you'll be late for Binns's class."
"I'm not going?"
"Where are you going?"
"I'm not sure. But I'm following Dumbledore."
"Alright. You take care of yourself," said Renata, straightening the collar on his robes, "I guess I've got to finally break my promise to Sirius and leave you alone. Don't you dare leave Dumbledore's side!"
"I won't, Ren. Trust me." Harry gave her a hug. "Bye, Ron. Bye, Hermione. I'll see you later."
"Bye, Harry."
Harry sat down across from Renata and Ron sat across from Hermione. The Prophet landed in front of Hermione and she put some money in the pouch on the owl's leg and began to read, with her face totally hidden behind the paper. She gave a tiny gasp and lowered the paper enough to look at Harry before hiding behind it again.
"What is it?" asked Harry, breaking off from his conversation with Ron.
"Oh, nothing. I'll tell you later." She tried to put the paper away.
"Lemme see it," said Renata, taking hold of the newspaper and opening it before her facing. After about a minute's reading she looked around the side of the paper at Harry. She shuddered. "She's right," Renata said briskly. "You've got Defense Against the Dark Arts next. That's important. You don't need to read this now. Or ever." Those last two words were a mumble.
Harry made a grab for the paper but Renata passed it to Ron instead. "Don't let him read it!" she warned.
Ron opened the newspaper and his reaction was much like Renata and Hermione's. He blinked at Harry, "Blimey."
Hermione took out her wand and set fire to the paper as Harry started to reach for it. "What'd you do that for?"
"You don't need to read that right now, Harry," she said firmly. Ron and Renata nodded agreement.
"I promise to tell you all about it after class," said Renata.
It was nearing time for class so they made their way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Seamus and Dean were already waiting, talking with Parvati and Lavender.
Dean looked up at the newcomers, "Harry, did you read your paper this morning?" His gaze was uneasy.
"No, somebody torched it before I could read it." Harry glared at Hermione.
Neville came up behind Harry. "In that case I think you'd better read mine." He stuck out his copy of the Prophet and Harry took it before Renata, Ron, or Hermione could say a word. What he read sent a cold chill down his spine.
Peter Pettigrew Back From the Grave
Peter Pettigrew was thought to be dead for 14 years.
Thought to have been murdered by Sirius Black. That is
until just 2 years ago when Peter Pettigrew was discovered
alive and it was found out that he was a Deatheater, who
had been working closely with You-Know-Who. 3 witnesses
saw Pettigrew torturing a 2 Muggle-borns last night.
Pettigrew then turned on a one of the witnesses and killed
her while the other two sent up a distress signal.
Unfortunately Pettigrew Disapperated before the proper
authorities arrived. If you see this man contact the
Ministry at once. Minister Fletcher says, "The old
Minister was certainly asleep on the job but you can count
on me to get things done right the first time; I won't put
an innocent man in Azkaban for 12 years without a trial,
unlike some people." This is statement is a deliberate
attack on former Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
Pettigrew killed twelve Muggles 16 years ago with a single
curse. He should be considered armed and dangerous, do not
attempt to capture him yourself.
Underneath article was a rather old picture of Pettigrew. Harry stood numb.
Harry didn't notice Dumbledore approach and shepherd the rest of the class inside, whispering on his way, "Miss Delano, stay here a moment with him and help him sort things out."
Harry didn't notice Renata come over and put her arms around him. "It's okay. You see why we didn't want to show you the article? We were trying to protect you."
"It's not going to be okay."
"It will. They'll catch him."
"No. Why didn't I kill him when I had the chance?"
"Because you're a good guy."
"I should have killed him. Why didn't I?"
"He was your dad's friend, Harry."
"He was a traitor. He betrayed my parents! He as good as killed them."
"Your mom believed there was good in everybody. Just look at Snape or Draco. They aren't completely lost." Her words were soothing but Harry didn't want to be soothed.
"It doesn't matter! Draco's always going to be a git, Snape's always going to hate me, Voldemort will always be evil, and Pettigrew will always be a traitor!"
"Harry, one day, one day soon it seems, you're going to stop Voldemort for good and we're going to be there to help you. You can count on that. You can count on me."
The anger slowly melted out of Harry. "But he might kill us all first," he said solemnly. "I won't let him kill you."
"Don't talk crazy, Harry." She sounded scared, or at least startled. "You always win. Always." She gave him a quick hug. "We'd better get to class."
"Right." He followed her inside and they took their seats at the front of the room.
Dumbledore explained, "We've been discussing this morning's edition of the Daily Prophet. Now, Minister Fletcher's words in the Pettigrew article reveal quite a bit more than he actually says. Anyone care to take a stab at some of the hidden meanings? It's reading between the lines as we have discussed before. Yes, Mister Longbottom?"
"Like the paper says, Fletcher's making a deliberate attack against Fudge. And he seems kind of on the defensive. He hasn't even been in office more than a few months and he's already trying to defend himself before anything negative has even been said."
"Very good. But, I have one minor correction, it was Bartimas Crouch, who sent Sirius Black to Azkaban without a trial, although it certainly would have been in Fudge's power to require a trial, but he didn't. Does anyone know what consequences will likely come from this statement? Yes, Mister Weasley?"
"I bet he's going to get hate-mail from Fudge's supporters."
"Correct, Mister Weasley. In fact he and I have been in contact and he has already begun to receive many owls."
"But not all of them are bad?" asked Hermione.
"No, some whole heartedly agree with his statement, other's did send letters objecting to what he said. They said that the minister should appear neutral concerning the ex-minister."
The discussion continued along this course until the end of the class period. "Excellent discussion, class," Dumbledore told them as they gathered their books.
"Professor, can I talk to you a minute?"
"Of course, Harry. As many minutes as you need. I'm all ears." Dumbledore sat down on top of his desk.
"Well, sir."
"The article?"
Harry nodded.
"I'd be happy to discuss it with you, but you might be better off writing to Remus Lupin or Sirius. I understand that you are angry over your third year and not disposing of Pettigrew then, but you did what your father would have done. I can guarantee that."
Harry nodded. "There's something else though."
"Anything, Harry."
He took a deep breath, "Professor Trelawny's death, sir. I don't believe it was an accident. Like you said, she was murdered. But why murder that old bat?"
"She died because she knew too much."
"I don't understand, sir."
"As you may remember from your third year, Sybil Trelawny does not remember anything she says in her visions, few though they are. But in this instance she was told what she said. And she agreed that for the good of everyone involved to have a charm placed upon her that if ever she was exposed to Veritaserum or put under a Cruciatius Curse, or the Imperius Curse, she would instantly die. This is a rare charm used only once or twice before throughout history to guard the most highly prized secrets."
"Would this secret happen to be the Prophecies of the Boy to Destroy the Dark Lord?"
"How did you learn about that, Harry?"
"Rumors. And a long lost written copy of the Prophecy."
"Where did you obtain the copy?"
"From Hermione, she copied it out of a book from the library years ago. But when she returned the book Madam Pince burned it. Is the prophecy about me, sir?"
"Yes, Harry. I should have told you about it sooner. That prophecy is, to all indications, about you. Beyond a doubt."
"Why me?"
"Because of who you are, Harry. Your parents have asked me to keep this information from you. I can't reveal to you the secrets of their past. But when you graduate, should you live long enough to graduate, I will give you journals written by them that will answer all your questions. I'm free anytime you need to talk, Harry, but I can't tell you everything."
"Yes, sir." Harry felt his knees go weak. This was still an awful lot to swallow.
"Harry, what's your next class?"
"History of Magic."
"What do you say to not going to class? I have no class to teach and have the whole next period free. I'll excuse you from Professor Binn's class and you and I can take a trip if you'd like. Or you can go back to the Gryffindor house and rest a bit."
"I think I'll go with you, sir."
"I was hoping you'd say that. Come to my office after you say goodbye to your friends. You may miss more than one class."
"I don't know where they are."
"Harry, I assure you they are still right outside the door there. Come to my office when you can."
"Thank you, professor." He followed Dumbledore to the door and sure enough, Hermione, Ron, and Renata were waiting for him.
"Come on you'll be late for Binns's class."
"I'm not going?"
"Where are you going?"
"I'm not sure. But I'm following Dumbledore."
"Alright. You take care of yourself," said Renata, straightening the collar on his robes, "I guess I've got to finally break my promise to Sirius and leave you alone. Don't you dare leave Dumbledore's side!"
"I won't, Ren. Trust me." Harry gave her a hug. "Bye, Ron. Bye, Hermione. I'll see you later."
"Bye, Harry."
