Chapter 17 : Magenta
''Harry, how wonderful to meet you!''
Having all eyes on him is not unusual. He purposefully drew more attention towards himself to pique Voldemort's interest. The attention is most certainly not welcome now.
Still red in the face and slightly out of breath from hurrying back into Gryffindor Tower moments before, Harry is pretending very hard like he's been here all along by barrelling himself into a corner, face buried in a book a second before silently pulling off the invisibility cloak to drape it over Hera instead in the best sleight-of-hand trick of his lifetimes. He cannot be caught with the culprit of the petrifications wrapped around his arm.
Trying to control his breathing as well as possible, he peeks over the rim of said book – noticing too late it is upside-down - at a genially smiling Minister of Magic. Looks past the outstretched hand at the figures behind Fudge. Severus does not give away his thoughts with crossed arms and neutral face, whereas McGonagall is all flaring nostrils and thinly pressed lips. Standing a bit to side is the Headmaster, who is watching Fudge more than Harry with a faintly jovial expression - an obvious mask.
Thankfully Harry figured out years later that Dumbledore did not actually posses the ability to see through invisibility cloaks. The Human-presence-revealing charm won't give Hera away, so as long as the little snake listens to his prior hasty instructions of keeping still under the cloak until he'll retrieve her, all should be fine.
''Err, good evening, Minister.'' Putting the book aside quickly while praying that Severus hasn't noticed his strange reading behaviour, Harry scrambles to his feet to accept the offered handshake. It's not clear yet which direction this conversation is heading in. Best not insult the highest governmental official under dozens of inquisitive stares. ''How nice that you are personally visiting Hogwarts.''
Putting up his best fatherly act, Fudge's head bobs up and down as he continues beaming. His typical bowler bobs with it. It is magenta. Why magenta? What odd change in Fudge's life was so impactful to replace the lime-green Harry had always associated with this person?
''Shame such dire circumstances have led me here today, Mr Potter. I'd have liked to meet earlier, of course, but your teachers and guardians…'' Fudge flashes a smaller smile over his shoulder now. ''Ah ah, not that I am blaming Professor Snape for being careful.''
Feigning obliviousness so Severus won't strangle a man amidst the Gryffindor common room – though surely Dumbledore will gladly turn a blind eye in this instance - Harry loudly proclaims: ''Have you already visited the other common rooms or are we the last? I'm sure your involvement is very reassuring for all students. The Muggle-borns especially, with all that's been going on.''
It's as if Fudge has been caught with his hand in the till, mouth hanging open to catch flies before he corrects himself. ''An excellent sugges- naturally, I will visit everyone. Won't I, Albus?''
''If that is your sudden wish, Cornelius,'' Dumbledore answers, the cordial mask already starting to crack on this fine evening by the piercing tone. Understandable: a petrification directly being followed by Ministry involvement can only mean trouble for the Headmaster. He'd been removed from office last time, though more people had been petrified by that point…
Truth be told, Harry didn't think Fudge would personally visit after only two students were 'endangered'. He holds back from drumming his fingers against his thigh with difficulty.
''Of course it is, Dumbledore. I am here for the public safety of all students. We need to calm this situation, be reassuring.'' Fudge clears his throat, looking away from Harry only for a moment to take in the rest of the Gryffindors, announcing: ''These attacks on Muggle-born students will be stopped. The Ministry has taken the first steps in the right direction this very day to provide a safe, uninterrupted environment at school.''
From the flashing of cold blue eyes at the words 'first steps', Harry gets the feeling he ought to change his assessment of the situation. It hadn't been Dumbledore who'd been in trouble first.
''No,'' Harry exclaims before he can rein in his tongue. ''You didn't!''
The pinstriped cloak swishes when Fudge ungracefully swivels back in bewilderment. ''…Harry?''
''Hagrid is innocent!'' Temper flaring hot, it is too late for the rational thought to hit that he shouldn't know about any of this. That he is revealing having looked deeper into these attacks than reasonable for the diligent student he's been charading as.
Whispers of 'Hagrid?' and 'What is Potter talking about' rise with a suddenness that turn Fudge's forehead into a pearl dispenser.
''I do not know what you may have heard, but it is necessary for security. Hagrid was found to be responsible last time and then there's the general fact that it is dangerous to have children be near a Half-''
''Cornelius,'' Dumbledore's voice icily cuts through the whispers. ''Some information, especially when based on speculations, shouldn't be so casually disclosed. As I declared earlier, I have full faith in Hagrid's innocence. The previous Minister absolved him of any suspicion regarding last time. Now, I believe it is time to leave. You have seen our Gryffindors are safe and sound, and you were adamant about visiting three more Houses?''
The reprimanding tone doesn't work as intended: Fudge draws up to full height – which does not say much but ever since encountering Umbridge, it has been drilled into Harry that posture matters more than physical size – and promptly draws a handkerchief to dab the evidence of his anxiety away. ''You cannot command me around, Dumbledore. In fact, getting to the bottom of this is part of my job.'' His eyes widen as if having a sudden epiphany. ''Yes.. if your top student – the vanquisher of You-Know-Who! - knows something more… why, it is my duty to take that testimony into account.''
Fudge contradicts his own statement from seconds ago just to spite Dumbledore? A noteworthy turnaround. As horrible as the Minister had been to Harry after the Triwizard Tournament fiasco, it is refreshing to see Fudge has already grown a spine a couple of years earlier. Whether this development is positive remains to be seen, yet it suits Harry for now.
''Harrison.'' His own spine stiffens at the word, the sole contribution from his godfather so far. Severus never uses his first name at school, to not distinguish him from other students… ''What do you know about this?''
He can still back out now, claim he reacted purely on emotions from knowing a friend of his will be accused for past actions. Hagrid is already gone from the sound of it, so the Groundskeeper won't be able to let slip in confusion that they've not exchanged more than two sentences since meeting in Diagon. And yet, it is not right… Harry wished to reduce the number of victims exactly so it wouldn't come to this, so Hagrid would not have to relive those dreadful months in Azkaban. It's why he shot Hermione's idea about staging Acromantula attacks down immediately.
Said girl has been watching the entire exchange with shrewd eyes, half-hidden between a couple of older students, ready to rush to Harry's defence. His own hesitance might make her do something stupidly brave, like jump in with the most outrageous lie. He needs decide.
For the very first time, Harry asks himself: what would Voldemort do?
It works wonders, miraculously changing his uncertainty into purpose. If there is any person Harry can imitate, it must be the one he's tried to figure out the motivations and actions of for literal decades to save the hides of his loved ones. Harry is reminded of disarming smiles and sharp words, of boasting and lying through one's teeth to manipulate the right people. Of a distinct talent to drag others down with him.
Several pathways open clearly in his mind, one darker than the next. All have different victims at the end of it. The only question that remains is which sacrifice Harry will choose to suit his plans best.
It is not a terrifically difficult choice.
''I've worked on something with Professor Lockhart,'' Harry declares, willing his body to relax as he focuses on Fudge. A simple sentence that will change how everyone of importance will view this situation.
Cornelius Fudge, the Minister who'd personally endorsed Lockhart's appointment of Defence Against the Dark Arts, will give more credit to whatever Harry says next. Dumbledore, the Headmaster who's been forced to employ the fraud and absolutely figured out the man's glaring incompetence by now, grows less tense. His gaze softens, wanders as he dismisses that Harry has anything worthwhile to add to the conversation. Believes him to be an easily influenced child taken in by Lockhart's grand delusions. McGonagall follows that lead, herding the rest of the Gryffindors away now the Minister has focused all attention upon Harry once more.
Another gaze grows sharper, originating from the one with whom Harry has spent half of their shared evenings gossiping about Lockhart's awfulness. Severus knows with absolute certainty that something fishy is going on.
''I don't know if I'm supposed to reveal much about it to just about anyone,'' Harry hints, ignoring that piercing glare in favour of bashfully looking around, reminding Fudge they are very much not having a private conversation.
As expected, the Minister grasps this opportunity with both hands, demanding for some privacy and comfort. With Dumbledore trying to preserve his already precarious position to the point of not fighting against the Ministry locking up perfectly good employees, it is granted quickly. Severus might have kicked up a fuss, if he wouldn't know Harry is up to something and - rightfully or not – trusts him to see it through.
This all leads to Harry and the Minister for Magic sitting in the nearest teacher's office, where Harry sneakily adds some extra layers of security behind Fudge's back just in case.
''A shame Gilderoy Lockhart himself cannot join us, I'm a huge fan of his works,'' the man sighs as he makes himself at home in professor Vector's highly ornate desk chair and pours them both a cup of tea. ''Of course, one can't blame the man for refusing more interviews after this eventful day. Stumbling over the petrified body of a student right in front of his own classroom… Such a pity.''
Expressing pity for the one who found the petrified student instead of the student themselves is unfortunately not at all surprising. Harry won't need to feel guilty about using and deceiving Fudge, then.
As all of this would be far more difficult with Lockhart present, Harry is immensely relieved that the coward has been so spooked by the forementioned incident that he is holing up in his office for the remainder of the evening under the pretence of 'working on countermeasures'.
''Geniuses have their quirks,'' Harry explains it away. Putting praise for the fraud in his mouth is a necessary evil. He can't change the Minister's mind on Lockhart's character within an hour. He can play into the misconstrued view the other already has to suit his own purposes.
Namely, tweaking former plans in order to save Hagrid and damn another in the man's stead.
''True, true… You are refreshingly perceptive for one your age, if you'll allow me to say so. Now, Harry, I am truly glad we can speak privately. Would you explain what you and your Defence teacher have been working on and how this affects Hagrid? Your strong conviction of his innocence was quite the surprise. As well as being aware of his involvement at all, to be frank.''
Harry takes his time to answer, routinely going through habits that will make him appear more child-like. Fidget, clear throat, play around with the spoon in his teacup, let his eyes wander around the office, give an awkward smile or two before starting. Fudge is entirely relaxed by the time Harry answers the question with: ''If you are a fan, you must be very familiar with the way Professor Lockhart catches monsters. He gathers information, looks at patterns and closes in on it.''
Truth be told, Harry hasn't read any of those nauseating books, but what he described is the way any sensible person deals with huge monstrosities and Lockhart merely copied what more capable mages had done. Fudge nods thoughtfully.
''As soon as the first message appeared and the caretaker's cat was petrified, Professor Lockhart started searching for patterns and possible culprits. He did not make any findings public as he did not wish to get in the way of the Headmaster's official investigation, but that doesn't mean he's not doing his own research, obviously. I'm sure he'll humbly deny any definitive finding as much is still unproven, but it's no secret that he's become the one all students look to for answers.''
''Yes, I heard. One of my most trusted advisors on the School Board informed me there was talk about this being some sort of taunt towards our resident famous monster-hunter.''
Harry has a hunch this talk was a hundred percent Draco Malfoy complaining to his father that the attention of Slytherin's heir goes to a Professor instead of Hogwarts' finest Slytherin student. If only Draco knew it was Harry who had captured the eye of the real Heir of Slytherin.
''Right,'' Harry continues, clearing his parched throat. He takes a sip of tea in hopes to remedy this. It's not effective. ''So naturally, as Professor Lockhart doesn't get along too well with the Headmaster, he is careful about showing his cards. However, we get along very well, and I wanted to make myself useful by finding out more information that could be of help. Most people living in Hogwarts couldn't tell me much about the last time similar attacks apparently took place, but not everyone is alive, are they? Some of the ghosts are very chatty. I heard all about how Hagrid was expelled for keeping an Acromantula in the school and how the attacks stopped after. It doesn't make much sense though, because those spiders do not have the ability to petrify people.
We figured that it was just as likely that the real culprit got too scared of being discovered and stopped at the same time as Hagrid was expelled. There's also the fact that Hagrid is… well, very noticeable, whereas the messages on the walls are left by someone who must be quick and sneaky to not be seen. The petrification themselves all happened during times Hagrid was elsewhere, I checked his alibis. With his wand having been broken upon being expelled, there's just no possible way. Minister, we may not yet know who the perpetrator is, but Hagrid is clearly innocent!''
Fudge sighs, the deep lines in his forehead foreboding of bad news. ''I understand there's a chance we don't have our man yet, Harry, but you must understand that in the adult world, things are not always black and white. There's been pressure for action. Hagrid has not been charged with anything, officially, but we needed to remove him from the premises just in case. For the Ministry to step in and show strength.''
Frustrated by his arguments not landing, Harry's tone grows colder, demanding. ''I don't see how taking away Hagrid to Azkaban would do that,'' he snaps, maybe a tad too viciously. ''There's no difference between punishment and precaution by putting someone in prison either way. Merlin, it'd make more sense to take the one responsible for the school in custody than someone who lives on its outskirts without a wand.''
Fudge's hand hovers above the sugar cube he'd just been about to take to drop into his second cup of tea. Using every ounce of willpower to calm down after his outburst, Harry swallows heavily and sags in his chair, silently hoping he's not gone overboard. Twisting a few situations at home in his favour hasn't made him an expert in manipulation. Will the Minister bite?
''What do you mean, Harry?''
This is only righting an awful wrong, Harry sternly reminds himself. Hagrid is one of the most innocent people in the entire world, having not a single bad bone in his body. Being wrongfully locked up for even a single day is a travesty that should never have been allowed.
He does not consider this betrayal of his former mentor. Dumbledore knows very well that Hagrid cannot be the one responsible and should have stepped up more firmly to save the Groundskeeper. What is a boss for if not to take accountability? What are friends for if not to use any means necessary to protect each other?
Besides, Dumbledore has an advantage Hagrid does not: enough political power to avoid Azkaban even when officially put into custody. He's not majorly pissed the Ministry off so far. Besides, Harry does not feel too guilty about a temporary removal from office, for as soon as the last 'attack' takes place, his innocence too will be proven.
The big question is of course whether Fudge has the means to see this through. Last time, Hagrid and Dumbledore had left simultaneously, but only because the attacks had grown so severe that Lucius Malfoy had threatened the Board into unanimously suspending Dumbledore. They aren't quite there yet. Possibly will not get there in the few weeks that are left.
A suspended Dumbledore will also be allowed to leave with his wand… An arrested Dumbledore means the man will be separated from the Wand of Destiny. Having started Auror training after the Wizarding War, Harry happens to know exactly where the wands of those with pending judgement are kept.
''I didn't mean-'' Harry backtracks to see if the Minister will let this go or double down. Fudge had been very clearly against Dumbledore leaving Hogwarts in Harry's first life, so he'd anticipated needing to push a lot harder to be convincing. Fudge's instant interest in Harry's suggestion is just as off-putting as the magenta bowler and harsh rebuking of Dumbledore's previous advice. Promising? Or dangerous? ''-obviously, we need our Headmaster to keep the staff together more than we need Ministry involvement in Hogwarts-''
Magical words that would have brought Umbridge's blood to a boil in a heartbeat. Will they work miracles on this version of Fudge as well?
''Now hold on, not so fast.'' The sugar cube makes its way into the cup, slowly melting under the slow, thoughtful stirring of a silver spoon. ''Perhaps we were too hasty in taking Hagrid… If he is not the culprit, that means further attacks could be imminent, which we're trying to prevent. You mentioned Professor Lockhart holding back on his own investigation not to disturb the 'official' one? Does Dumbledore not wish anyone to interfere in his?''
''Well… it's no secret that Professor Dumbledore doesn't hold Professor Lockhart in very high regard…''
''Outrageous. To think the Headmaster is not using his most valuable resource… That sounds almost like neglectful sabotage. And all that to thwart the decision of the Ministry to appoint a teacher.''
The way Fudge instantly spins Dumbledore's inaction into a punishable offense would be admirable if Harry wasn't so put on edge by it. Whatever happened in Fudge's life so far, it has made him thrice as dangerous. Pushing the Minister into any direction feels akin playing with fire. He'll have to look into this, preferably with Voldemort there for some brainstorming. Fudge does not appear to be so easily pushed out of office with this attitude.
Harry pulls a face that hopefully looks very guilty. ''Minister, I didn't mean to get the Headmaster in trouble-''
''And you haven't!'' Fudge generously waves away. ''Only Dumbledore's own actions can get him in trouble. Now Harry, as marvellous as it is that you've been doing your part in supporting Professor Lockhart, I'm convinced that very soon, I can send competent Ministry staff to do so. Focus on your studies and don't seek out danger. We can't have our hero getting hurt during his very first year at Hogwarts, certainly not when the teacher responsible for teaching you Defence and is thus responsible for your safety is endorsed by the Ministry. You're in the public eye too much since attending school to take such risks, do you understand?''
So there it is. The sole reason why Fudge visited Gryffindor tower was to ensure his shiny new poster boy won't get a scratch. Harry might just retch.
''I'm just trying to keep my friends and family safe, Minister,'' he speaks, showing a tiny bit of actual honestly to cover all the lies. ''Hagrid has always been so welcoming to me, and then there's of course the fact that my best friend is a Muggle-born… Until she can be protected in full with a Pure-blood name, I'm afraid she's not in the best position.''
Fudge blinks a few times. ''Protected by a name…? I'm afraid I don't quite- oh! The adoption case?'' He clears his throat a few times and takes a few more hurried gulps of tea. When the Minister speaks again, he's cradling the empty cup, fingers tapping on the porcelain. ''I did hear that Black was attempting to adopt a Muggle-born. Bit of scand- scarcely seen occasion. You agree to this, Harry?'' The amount of genuine concern shown by Fudge is staggering.
Now, Harry had quite a few negative words at the ready to describe Minister Fudge, but 'supremacist' had never been one of them. For the third time this evening, the most pressing question that whirls through his mind is 'What Happened?'. Fudge was one of the people he'd kept low tabs of simply for being someone of note in the Wizarding world. General news articles in the Prophet had not suggested anything being out of the ordinary… Though Harry had admittedly been too busy Horcrux-hunting and enjoying an actual childhood to read the paper front to back every day.
Although this Fudge too does not show any real disdain for Muggle-borns per se, does he? He came to investigate after all, when clearly Muggle-borns are mostly at risk. Even if his real reason was to check on Harry, the move politically shows that Fudge takes a caring stance towards Muggle-borns. It's only a Muggle-born being taken in by Pure-bloods that he seems concerned about. As if it's specifically this mingling that is considered so scandalous…
Harry takes a long leap of faith: ''I'm the one who suggested adopting Hermione. After all, Muggles cannot be trusted to take care of magical children, can they? It's better if Muggles stick with Muggles and mages with mages.''
The cup is set down with a decisive clink. ''I never considered it like that… In a way, I suppose Muggle-borns are closer to us than to them, aren't they? Caught between two worlds, but if they make the right choice… Well, what a delightfully enlightening talk, Harry,'' the man grins, crowfeet deepening as the smile reaches his eyes. ''I can see why you're Hogwarts' new top student. Now, I must really get a move on, still much work to do.''
''So, what's going to happen with Hagrid now?'' Harry pushes when Fudge is already getting up and gathering his things.
''I cannot make definite promises about Hagrid, my dear boy, only that I'll do my utmost to look deeper into the issue.''
Harry senses the promise is full of empty wind. Chagrined, he returns to Gryffindor Tower alone. There was nothing more he could have done to influence Fudge further.
His mood doesn't improve for quite a while. This talk has put his own plans on a precarious hold as he waits to see whether Fudge makes any changes to their current situation. Harry fills his best friend in on the possible variations in their plans that might need to be taken into account, which does not come at the best moment as there's only just over a month left until the end of the year and exams will start a couple of weeks from now. At least regarding the Elder Wand, it matters little whether Dumbledore stays, is booted out or arrested, as that will solely affect where Harry needs to go to steal it and how likely he is to be caught while doing so. For the Stone and Lockhart however, it'd be best if the Headmaster is away…
The main source of not being able to shake the dissatisfaction he's tasted in the back of his throat since the Minister's visit is having to dodge Severus' questions over why he lied and what he told Fudge.
''I like Hagrid. He'd never do something like that!''
''I don't recall you spending must time with the man.''
''What do you mean, he even sent me a Christmas present! I had to defend him!''
''What did you add that Professor Dumbledore could not to Hagrid's defence?''
''Fudge is biased towards Dumbledore, not towards me.''
That was one of the many short, frustrating conversations they'd had, not improved by Severus getting stressed out by extra duties due to imposed restrictions since the last petrification. Harry dearly hopes things will go back to normal once he'll be proven right about Hagrid.
Another unpleasant surprise is Quirrell having determined that Harry pulled too much focus towards himself. The added rules of never travelling alone and new curfews – which Percy Weasley has taken upon himself to meticulously enforce by counting heads after each dinner – put an end to the relaxing visits to the librarian's office. It does the same to his and Hermione's trips to the Room of Requirement.
It leaves Harry without an out of his own body, no place in which he can safely show himself as the adult he is. It's much harder now he's revealed himself to a select few than it was during the past years.
What is more, it ruins whole batches of perfectly good potions they cannot properly finish. He only risks one very brief trip when Percy isn't watching to save the cauldron of Polyjuice that they already spent three whole weeks on, moving it to a broom closet near the library that he and Hermione pass often on their way there or between classes, praying no-one will have a reason to use this particular closet. At least Filch isn't doing any actual cleaning since Mrs Norris got petrified, and House-elves use spells. Harry does get caught on his way back to Gryffindor tower without being accompanied and gets chewed out by Percy for it, but it's much better than pouring weeks of effort down the drain.
It's a welcome change when, between waiting for Fudge to take action (a full week passes without headlines about Hagrid being freed or Aurors paying a visit to the castle), boring classes without mentally challenging distractions and Defence lessons of which the horror level has been upped by a suddenly cheery Lockhart who assumes everything is fine now Hagrid has been arrested, they receive a bit of excellent news from home.
''It went through!'' Hermione excitedly shouts for all the Great Hall to hear, flushing head to toe when realising how loud she is being. Harry does not care about his ringing ears, her exclamation and wide smile can only mean one thing. Slinging both arms around the girl, he indulges in the very first hug he's ever been able to give to a sibling. They both ignore the whistling of their peers who misunderstand the gesture when Hermione tightly clings to him in return.
Thankfully, Sirius sent the message with the last post, for it would have been torture to wait all day to discuss this in detail – having to travel in groups means no quick trips to the dorms for a forgotten book or private conversation until the evening. In the corner of the common room claimed as 'theirs' since sneaking to the Room of Requirement has become so difficult without their absence being noted by Percy, Hermione hands over the received letter and copy of the adoption papers.
His gaze is instantly drawn to a magenta stamp at the very bottom of the page: 'approved by Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic.' A sign of goodwill? A way to manipulate Harry into endorsing the Ministry? An apology for not achieving fast results within Hogwarts?
In contrast to Fudge's actions, the accompanying note from his – now their – father is refreshingly upfront. Sirius' sentences are all over the place, expressing joy and gratitude over having been blessed with a daughter. Harry can picture how it was written, Sirius enthusiastically jotting down all he wished to say without rhyme or reason. A warmth at the thought results in the most genuine smile he's had in a week.
''What does he mean with this?'' Harry asks, wondering about a short paragraph at the end of the page that only says: 'Our little star is coming over later this week, I'll share both pieces of big news with him then.'
''Oh, we've been writing daily about all the ins and outs of how to break all this to… well, you know. Shockingly, Sirius was overjoyed to hear about the details of my bond and the likelihood of whom it points towards. He's been super reassuring and helpful, claiming my two issues are entirely unrelated as Pureblood families 'are just like that and no-one will bat an eye', in his words. To make it all a little easier on me, he's agreed to act as a spokesperson, so he invited…'' flushing, she looks left and right to ensure no-one is listening in. ''Regulus,'' she whispers. ''-to dinner.''
''You didn't tell me anything about this before!'' Harry indignantly states, already having wondered multiple times when Hermione would take his advice of contacting Sirius.
''Oh, because you never kept secrets from me and included me in every one of your decisions the moment you made them, Mr Potter,'' Hermione sternly huffs.
Grumbling half-heartedly without a decent comeback, Harry hands the papers back as Hermione adds: ''Since he's managed to get that job in Reims, Regulus couldn't swing by immediately, so now he'll get both newsflashes at once, I suppose. I'm quite glad that I'm not a part of that initial conversation, I'd have no idea what to say. Does that make me a coward?''
''If there's anything you're not, it's cowardly, Mione. There's no shame in being relieved you don't have to deal with a difficult conversation. It's not like you're avoiding it forever and I'm sure it'll be easier for him to discuss this with Sirius first too instead of being confronted directly.''
''Thanks,'' she sighs, the tension in her shoulders waning a tad. ''You know, we should go to Professor Snape together, tomorrow.''
''Agreed. I'm sure Sirius will have sent him word as well, but maybe we can have a small celebration here at Hogwarts up front about your joining the family.'' Hopefully that will ease some of the current strain on Harry's and Severus' relationship at the same time, he selfishly thinks.
The idea of celebrations is wiped away quickly. Mere hours later, in fact, when Harry is awoken from fitful dreams by a loud voice. A voice with a distinctly hissing undertone:
'Away, away from master's things! I can smell you! I will bite you!'
''Oi, what's that hiss-'' another familiar voice says, then falls silent. Far too silent.
Hastily pushing the cover away, Harry flies out of bed and grabs his wand and glasses. A well-controlled Lumos dimly illuminates the petrified face of Ronald Weasley in a crouched position in front of Harry's trunk. The light is reflected by two beady eyes at the far edge of his own bed.
Hera has successfully managed to wiggle her blindfold off.
Sooo Harry showed some of that Slytherin streak of his at last. He should have let the Hat pick instead of being so stubborn haha.
Cookies to anyone who can pinpoint the exact change in Fudge's life to explain his attitude. The hints are all there ^^
Please read and Review!
xx GeMerope