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Chapter 17
Harry, Ron, and Hermione had a break after lunch, which they spent in the Gryffindor common room. The common room was empty, giving Harry the opportunity to look through Regulus' notes, while Ron read Quidditch through the Ages and Hermione got started on the potions assignment. Harry shifted through the pages until he saw one he had not noticed before. One roll of parchment outlined the lineage of Godric Gryffindor, spanning through centuries of ancestors. Harry looked interestedly at the parchment, he noticed that the line seemed to end somewhere in the fourteenth century. On the back, was another family tree; scanning to the bottom Harry saw with amazement, "Harry Potter," written underneath "James Potter" and "Lily Evans." This, Harry realized with amazement, was the Potter lineage, his lineage.
"Ron, Hermione!" exclaimed Harry, "come and have a look at this."
"What's that?" he asked.
"Its my family tree, and hang on," Harry had scanned to the top of the page, "its traced all the way back to the fourteenth century."
"Why would Sirius' brother be interested in your family?" asked Hermione, confused.
"Regulus was trying to find out if I was related to Gryffindor, but he never did," said Harry, "Gryffindor's line ends with Bowman Wright, in the fourteenth century."
"Wait," said Ron, who seemed to have gained a new understanding of the situation, "what was that name again?"
"Bowman Wright," said Harry, "why?"
"Because I've just read about him," said Ron, picking up Quidditch Through the Ages and flipping through it, then finally stopping and handing the book to Harry. Harry read quickly, with Hermione looking interestedly over his shoulder.
The invention of the Golden Snitch is credited to the wizard Bowman Wright of Godric's Hollow. While Quidditch teams all over the country tried to find bird substitutes for the Snidget, Wright, who was a skilled metal-charmer, set himself to the task of creating a ball that mimicked the behavior and flight patterns of the Snidget. That he succeeded perfectly is clear from the many rolls of parchment he left behind him on his death (now in the possession of a private collector), listing the orders that he had received from all over the country.
"A skilled metal-charmer," Harry thought out loud, "maybe he put the charms on Gryffindor's sword, or maybe he knows about another of Gryffindor's heirlooms."
"Those documents he left behind might help us find out," said Hermione.
"How are we supposed to find out who the private collector is?" asked Ron.
"I already know who," said Harry, suddenly remembering, "Scrimgeour."
"How do you know?" asked Hermione.
"He told me," said Harry, "when I took my apparation test."
"Send him an owl," said Ron, "tell him you want to see them."
"That would be a little suspicious," said Hermione, "we don't want the ministry finding out what we're up to."
"I've got to find a way to meet him and just sort of get the conversation on Quidditch or something," said Harry, though he could not see how he would manage it.
"Harry," said Ron, suddenly excited, "didn't Scrimgeour also say he'd get you a tryout with any Quidditch team?"
"Yeah," said Harry, "I told him I wasn't interested though."
"Well, send him an owl," said Ron, "tell him you've changed your mind."
"That might not be a bad idea," said Hermione, "you could mention the documents in your letter."
"Yeah, alright," said Harry, pulling a fresh sheet of parchment toward him and dipping his quill in a bottle of ink.
"Wait, Harry," said Ron, "you should tell him you want to try out for the Cannons!"
"What does it matter?" asked Hermione.
"What does it matter?" repeated Ron, with the look he often wore when Hermione showed how little she cared about Quidditch, "how awesome would it be to meet the Cannons!"
"Yeah," said Harry, "I don't know if he knows them, but it's worth a shot. What should I write?"
Dear Minister,
I have been thinking about your offer to set me up with a tryout for a Quidditch team. If you are still willing too, I would appreciate a chance. If you can, I have always been interested in playing for the Chudley Cannons. Also, if you wouldn't mind, I would like to see those documents about the invention of the snitch, they sounded very interesting. Thank you again for your offer to further my Quidditch career.
Harry Potter
Harry finished the letter and slid it across the table so Ron and Hermione could read it. He knew it had not sounded like himself, but he also knew that under normal circumstances Harry would never ask Scrimgeour for anything.
"Its sounds okay," said Hermione, looking up.
"We should send that now," said Ron.
"Yeah, I'll head up to the Owlery now," said Harry, getting up.
"Don't be late for Herbology," warned Hermione, as he walked to the exit.
Walking down the hallway, Harry was struck with a sudden idea. Maybe Dumbledore knows some connection between Bowman Wright and the horcrux's. Now seemed like a good time to finally talk to him. Turning around, Harry headed toward the headmasters office. Reaching the familiar stone Gargoyle, Harry realized that once again he did not know the password. Luckily, the Gargoyle slid open and Professor McGonagall walked out just as Harry was planning to walk away.
"Yes, Potter?" she asked, spotting him.
"Erm, I was wondering if I could talk to Dumbledore's painting now," he said.
"Aren't you supposed to be in class?" she asked, sternly.
"I've got free period," he answered, "I don't have to be in Herbology for twenty minutes."
"Very well then, Potter," she said, reluctantly, "you may have a few minutes to speak with him."
Harry followed her back up the spiral staircase and into the Headmaster's office. He looked around, barely noticing the subtle changes that McGonagall had mad to the room. Excitedly, he began scanning the portraits of old Headmasters and Headmistress' until he heard a calm, low voice say, "Hello, Harry."