In the Crosshairs
Dragon Voldemort
Chapter 103: Anjser
A flap of wings, Gia woke, the light of Thursday morning creeping in. She stood, stroked a couple of Hedwig's feathers. A turn to the boy on the bed. Harry on his right side, a sleeping beauty, the left leg that twitched. Behind him, Hermione asleep, rested into his back, her fingers worked his earlobes.
"Can't," Harry muttered, the eyes asleep.
A gentle Harry, the loving Harry, that's who Gia knew he preferred to be, not the fearsome terror he had to become, ripping through the gym to rescue her.
Hoot!
Gia gave Hedwig a bit more stroking, and went out, down the stairs, the right. Ron had his hand outstretched in the kitchen, the green fire within it, and the talking head of Percy.
"You really should've talked to Ginny," Percy said, "She'd know."
"She's asleep—I think," Ron said.
"So was I," Percy grumbled.
"Thank you anyways," Ron said.
Percy's head vanished. Ron slipped a disc back into his wand holster.
"Good morning," Gia said as she leaned against the counter.
Ron turned to the stove, flipped the bacon in the pan.
"You've taken to being a chef," Gia said.
Ron grinned. Gia went to the cauldron, brought the papers over to the table, with the plates already on it. Ron turned at the stove, his knees against it, the left foot up on his toes.
"You know Hermione," Ron said, "If I suggested her place was in the kitchen, I'm packing my bags."
"A bloke in the kitchen's quite sexy," Gia said.
"Hitting on him?" asked Hermione as she entered.
"Boys are fragile," Gia said, "We have to worship their todgers."
Ron snorted.
"Besides," Gia said, "You've got a boy who's fixing you breakfast, about every day now. Can't argue with that."
"Got it from his Mother," Hermione said.
"Then you need to figure out why none of his brothers are married," Gia said, "Something's wrong in this universe."
"Our most pressing problem," Harry said as he entered from the stairs, "Getting the Weasleys hooked up."
"Wish it was," Hermione said.
The Daily Prophet spread open, Harry sat next to Gia.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Thursday 20 March 1997
Safety at Hogwarts
Editors at the Daily Prophet agree, Potter is responsible for those dangers that jeopardize his safety and that of his cohorts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This assessment is backed up by the consensus of the the students at that school, respectable members of society, the Ministry of Magic, and everybody else. If Potter's dabbling in Dark Arts results in these spectacular displays, we hope he continues and gets himself killed, we have no sympathies to the inevitable awaiting Potter.
"Great!" Harry said, "Getting attacked is now a Dark Art?"
"Breathe deep," Ron said as he carried over the wide yet shallow cauldron.
Smells of bacon, eggs, and a spatula. Inside, the beans, the toast, the streaky bacon. Gia put some on a plate, brought a fork of egg to Harry's mouth, and he ate it. Eyes moved to the next article.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Delusional Potter
by Ernie Macmillan, sixth year Hogwarts
Yet another victim has fallen under the spells of Harry Potter, namely the formerly respectable Rita Skeeter. This newly found spokesperson is pleading on the behalf of their own safety, ironic considering how Potter and his friends have been terrorizing the students at Hogwarts for years. Egotistical and delusional, the spoiled rotten famously rich Harry Potter has always gotten his way since his arrival at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Since the beginning of the school year, Potter and his fellows have waged a war of terror on fellow students. Potter's gang is well known for beating, raping, and murdering within the walls of Hogwarts.
Potter is now complaining about his security? He deserves more than what he's getting—Potter's death will come too late to save my dead best friend Justin Finch–Fletchley. Nobody will miss Potter when he's gone; I too want him dead.
"And he's wrong," Gia said to Harry, "Three people, two House Elfs, and an owl in this house care and we'd miss you terribly."
Gia grabbed a strip of the streaky bacon, put it between her teeth, moved toward Harry. He ate from the other end. Their lips touched, and they kissed, while their tongues battled it out for the rest of the strip. They parted, he grinned.
"You are my life," Gia said, "You've adopted me, please don't do anything stupid."
"Look at this one," Hermione said, pushing the paper over.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Ministry Silent on Poisoned Implants
by Rita Skeeter
Ministry of Magic remains silent on manufacturing defects in Testicular Implants. Affected penal implants leaked corrective poison without command, rendering the person weak, unable to perform their tasks, and even death. Ministry denies its good will gesture of offering replacements to the affected, these replacements permit copulation with registered partners, partners that have been vetted with a notarized and witnessed application form followed by interviews involving veritaserum.
Recipients Harry James Potter and Ronald Bilius Weasley are hereby advised that any misuse on unwilling participants is fatal.
"What?" Harry asked.
"That's Skeeter," Ron said, "Covering our arses, you know, in case of accidents."
Ron worked at the beans on toast. Gia opened The Daily Telegraph, a picture of a basketball backboard to the mats in the gymnasium.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Student Killed During Gym Class
Yesterday an unfortunate accident in Noigate led to the death of a sixteen year old student at Noigate Public School. Investigators reported that a basketball backboard came loose, killed the girl. Headmaster Nolan Lydum offered sympathies to the family, assured that measures will be taken to avert further tragedy. Classes will be canceled today with grief counselors on hand for students needing to deal with this.
"Means the Ministry made it there," Harry.
"I still would've loved to seen the looks on their faces," Ron said, "You basically apparating in, flying on your broom."
"Wasn't fun," Harry said, "Two dead—Lisa and the attacker."
"You did what you had to do," Gia said, "Guessing a memorial or something."
Ron stood, brought the dishes back to the kitchen area. Dobby appeared. Hermione went upstairs.
"Don't go," Harry said to Gia, "It's known."
"Richard, Jen, all of them will be there," Gia said.
"Exactly," Harry said, "Protect them by not going."
"You're going to school," Gia said.
"To train up," Harry said, "Same with you and classes. Look, we can do a private memorial or something, right? Exactly your friends, unadvertised."
Those bottle green eyes that focused on hers.
"Sorry," Harry said, "Can I try again?"
Gia focused on his nipples for a moment, nodded.
"Lets find out if there is something," Harry said, "I'll go with you because until I see Sirius or Moody, I'm not risking you. If there's nothing until late, come with me to Hogwarts."
Gia studied those bottle green eyes.
"Not always pleasant, but you'll see how it's become," Harry said, "Worst case, bring you back."
Gia nodded.
"Would Jen or Richard know?" Harry asked.
"Think so," Gia said.
"Lets ask them," Harry said.
Harry touched her skin, his eyes on hers.
"What do you say?" Harry said, "Test that article and bang in potions?"
"That's not the best spot to bang," Ron said, "Good spot—beaches."
"I'll wield my cock offensively," Harry said, "And it'd offend him."
Ron snorted.
"Well?" Harry asked Gia.
"Sure," Gia said.
Harry stood.
"Ready?" Harry asked as he slung the strap of his book–bag over his shoulder.
Gia grabbed her school bag, held on. A short while later, Gia walked toward the greenhouse at Hogwarts.
Ring!
An aim of a wand, the door to the greenhouse refused to shut.
"Not again!" exclaimed Professor Sprout, dressed in robes of canary yellow, "Oh no!"
Harry entered first, Ron and Hermione walked with Gia, Neville and Parvati brought up the rear.
"What the…?" Harry asked.
"I want no trouble today," said Professor Sprout.
"Then be civil," Neville said, "No quarrels today."
"BLIMEY!" Finnigan shouted, "WHAT THE FUCK?!"
Armor, canary yellow, the others glared at this group of six. Harry pointed as they went to a square table around a modest bush whose hairy leaves almost seemed not to be there, Harry stepped back from it; Parvati stood immediately on Gia's left, while Ron was to next side; Hermione and Neville opposite of Gia, and Harry stood to the right. Harry's eyes twitched, they went to both sides, fixated for a moment on Ron's doing a similar survey, though they focused frequently on the bush in between them all.
"Careful Seamus," said Draco Malfoy, "You don't want to get on Potter's bad side."
Professor McGonagall entered the classroom.
"Minerva," said Professor Sprout.
"Continue with the lesson," Professor McGonagall said, "I'm here in case you need an extra wand."
Gia understood, she spotted the twitching in Ernie Macmillan's fists, Wayne Hopkins that adjusted the collar of his yellow jumper. Susan Bones waved, wore the Hogwarts Hufflepuff uniform, smiled. Though she also watched as Harry relaxed a bit, the tension left his arms, the legs.
"Alright," Professor Sprout said, "Please, get the trays of Venomous Tentacula."
Gia unsure if she liked to hear about working with venomous plants.
"We already did that," said Susan Bones, "You promised Mistletoe."
"Really?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"They had missed that unit so I was doing them a favor," Professor Sprout said, "Mistletoe is easily handled in other environments."
Professor McGonagall arched her eyebrows above her glasses.
"Somebody can't take a joke," Professor Sprout said, "We'll be giving haircuts to these Anjser bushes."
"Bush?" Harry said, "You mean the vines?"
"Ten points taken Mr. Potter," Professor Sprout said, "Five for speaking out of turn, and five for not recognizing that as a bush."
"Sure it fades a bit," Neville said, "That's Anjser."
"Some people have been known to hallucinate," Hermione said, "You haven't been smoking it, have you?"
"That is most definitely a vine with pretty berries," Harry said, "STAND BACK!"
Gia took the step back.
"He's losing it," Parvati said.
Ron shook his head.
"Seems a bit like a vine to me too," Ron said.
"That is most definitely a bush," Parvati said.
"You're jesting with me," Harry said to Ron.
Ron grinned.
"In order to trim," Professor Sprout said, "Use Petrificus Tempus, and trim a little bit off. Best to rotate so nobody inhales too much of the dust."
"Anjser is a bush," Neville said, "Dates back before Merlin, though he gave it the name. It's trimmings are essential to making Amber Nectar. It's hairs vanish and come back, that's why we have to charm it before we trim, otherwise we won't get anything."
"Five points to Gryffindor," Professor Sprout said.
Harry ducked down, rolled, stood back up.
"Everything alright Mr. Potter?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"That vine…you don't see it's vine reaching out?" Harry asked.
"That's a bush," Professor McGonagall said, "Quite gentle, except it doesn't like getting a haircut."
"I'm keeping my distance," Harry said.
"Somebody's a wuss." Malfoy took a pair of shears to the bush in front of him, and dropped them.
"Doesn't want you doing that." Harry laughed.
"Use the charm Mr. Malfoy," said Professor Sprout.
Harry spun around.
"Love the berries," Harry said.
"There are no berries," Hermione said.
"Not like I was going to eat them," Harry said.
Harry's eyes moved, Gia felt the probe, around to the others.
"Oh," Harry muttered.
"Yeah," Ron said, "I see them."
"Um…me too," Neville said.
"Thanks," Harry grumbled.
"You're sure you're seeing them?" Hermione asked.
"Not here," Harry said.
Gia understood, Harry felt shut down, the eyes that went down to the bush, the bush Gia couldn't even see the color of, simply like a perpetual fluke in her eyes.
"Wait, wait," Malfoy said, "I can see vines, it's trying to strangle…" Malfoy's hands to his own throat, he faked out coughs, lowered himself to the ground. Crabbe and Goyle laughed.
"Let them strangle you!" Finnigan shouted at Harry, "Go on, prove there's vines after you."
"Please do," said Theodore Nott, "Not seen a proper strangulation in ages."
"Ignore them," Ron said.
Gia motioned, Harry stepped closer.
"Oh," Malfoy said, "About to go domestic."
"Shh," said Stephen Cornfoot, "They need some private time."
Neville blushed, tried to bring the clippers toward the plant.
"You didn't charm it," Harry said.
"Yes I did," Neville said.
Harry's wand out.
"Petrificus Tempus!" Harry said, "Try it now."
This time, Neville's clippers reached, the tremor in his right hand. He trimmed the hairy leaves, and the clippings fell into the tray he held with his left.
"Five points to Gryffindor," Professor Sprout said.
"You still see—?" Ron asked.
"Drop it," Harry said.
"It's an interesting…plant," Parvati said, "Used for Invisibility?"
"No," Harry said, a grin to his face, those bottle green eyes that relaxed, fixated and focused, twitched, "Fawkes likes the berries, look at him go."
"There's nothing there," Hermione said.
"There's an anti–aging ointment made from amber nectar," Neville said, "It's useless, mostly a scam."
"Probably needs a bit of the berry juice," Ron said.
"Thanks," Harry snapped.
"It's worse than a scam," Neville said, "People go mindless after too much of it, have to be put down."
Gia watched as Professor McGonagall went around, assisted the others in the greenhouse.
"Is Harry any good in bed?" Parvati asked, "After the…you know."
"We are getting along there," Gia said.
Gia took over the shears, trimmed a few of the broad leaves off. Harry's grin, as she worked it.
…
Harry heard the scream, watched the vine that writhed in pain, the colors that changed, the berries that dropped, withered by the sun that came through the glass above.
"Get the charm RIGHT!" Harry snapped at Padma Patil, Padma dressed in canary yellow.
"Harry!" Parvati said.
"You wouldn't understand," Harry grumbled, watched as Professor McGonagall left.
"Excuse me!" Finnigan said, hand that raised, "As it takes a bit of time to get out and back into this suit, mind if I cut early to use the loo?"
Professor Sprout nodded, pointed. Dean Thomas, Ernie Macmillan were next. Harry watched as the rest of the classroom emptied, except for the six at the table. Harry glanced at Ron's blue eyes.
"Ambush?" Harry thought.
"Likely," Ron replied.
"Here," Professor Sprout said, "I'll take your essays to my office."
Harry rummaged through his book–bag, handed it over. Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Parvati did the same.
"Yeah, it is," Ron thought, "She's in on it."
"I'm taking the fast way," Harry suggested.
"Agreed," Ron replied.
"Fifteen more minutes," Harry said, "Gia…"
Harry went to her, kissed her, held her, kissed again, the hands that moved. Her hands went to him.
"Oh," Parvati said, "That article was correct?"
"Pardon us," Harry said, "Out of the way."
Harry brought Gia down, pushed until they were both beneath the table.
"Ooh…creepy," Gia whispered.
"Even creepier?" Harry whispered, "Invisibility."
Harry's wand out, the cast of the charm, she vanished, the hands to her. He felt hers on him.
"Where'd they go?" Parvati asked, the eyes that tried to watch.
"A private moment between them," Ron said, "Hope you understand."
Harry held her tight, together.
"Where—where?" came Macmillan's demand.
"It's only us two," Neville said.
"Liar," Finnigan said.
Harry knew they needed to be somewhere else. A pull through the tight spot, her still breathing against him, her heart, though now against feet beneath the table. Two pairs of legs on the bench.
"Hey," said Buck, another first year Gryffindor, "Footsie?"
Ash snorted.
"Please, focus on your assignment," Oliver Wood said.
Gia giggled.
"Not funny," Buck said to Ash.
"Oliver," said Professor McGonagall as she entered, "Please stick around."
"Certainly," Wood said.
"I need to get back and check," Harry whispered to Gia.
Ash glanced beneath the table, the blue eyes that watched through Harry.
"Keep an eye on her," Harry whispered to Ash.
Harry felt Gia slide up between the two. His wand out, renewed the Invisibility on her.
"Stay there until I get back," Harry whispered.
"Yeah," Ash said.
Harry remained crouched, the thought, apparated into the greenhouse. Neville and Parvati in the hands of Dean Thomas, the skeletal fingers to Parvati's throat, the wand to Neville's. Vines from the table reaching out.
"I see you," Finnigan snapped.
A glance to Finnigan, the eyes that lied, however, Wayne Hopkins was in front of one door, Anthony Goldstein covered the other.
"I see—" Macmillan started, pointed.
Harry spotted it, the two aberrations, the figures to the wall, and he ran. Close enough to spot Hermione's and Ron's shapes; Harry grabbed their hands, disapparated.
"How'd you get there Ron?" asked Ash.
"Excuse me," Wood said, "What's—"
Harry felt for Gia, felt her, and disapparated.
"They're not there," Wayne Hopkins said.
"They've gotta be in here," Finnigan said, "Means they're great at disillusionment. No, if the bell rings, kill those." Finnigan pointed to Neville and Parvati.
"We'll be expelled," Dean Thomas said.
"One point four million," Finnigan said, "Think that'd soothe our consciences."
"How many do you think you have in here?" Harry asked.
"Potter!" Finnigan snapped.
Harry apparated as the red curse flew. Two steps from Dean Thomas, the eyes, too twitchy in thought to implant anything sensible.
"Your survival depends on theirs," Harry said.
"Harry!" Neville said, "Go!"
Harry apparated back as soon as the ropes flew. Harry watched the vines nearby.
"I see them," Harry said, "What do the vines do Neville?"
Harry apparated over to the other side, renewed his Invisibility charm.
"There is one discredited claim to vines," Neville said, "Nobody's seen them since."
"Sentience?" Harry asked, he apparated in front of the three, noticed the red curse that hit where he had been.
Dean Thomas in his canary yellow between two tables, one row in front of Harry; contrasted to Parvati and Neville. Harry touched his wand to the vine to the left, the tendril of it, the glow, and it began to extend, toward Neville. A touch to the vine on the plant to the right, that extended toward Parvati. Vines to either side of Harry touched him, held his hands.
"Potter?" Dean Thomas asked, "You still there?"
"Maybe he's gone," Neville said.
"Impossible," Finnigan said, "All the doors are guarded, Imperturbment charms to keep this matter…private. We kill you two and Potter gets blamed—maybe even kissed."
An after image of Parvati halfway between the rows, next to an after image of Neville.
"Sure," Dean Thomas said, pushed Neville and Parvati forward.
Harry stepped forward.
"AVADA—" started a voice.
"Now!" Harry snapped.
Harry felt the chill through him, Dean that walked back, with the Parvati and Neville of a second in the past. Harry grabbed Neville's and Parvati's hands, a thought, disapparated both with himself.
"Mr. Longbottom, Ms. Patil," said Professor McGonagall, "Explain yourselves."
"Somebody started a killing curse in the greenhouse," Neville said, "I do not know how I got here."
"Sprout excused herself early to give them cover," Harry said.
Professor McGonagall left fast. Harry's Invisibility dropped, he was still holding Neville's and Parvati's hands.
"Harry?" Neville asked.
Harry let go. Ron and Hermione dropped their disillusion; Gia's fell.
"Hermione." Harry took the few steps to her, inches away. "Time Turners are made with Anjser?"
"Amber nectar," Hermione said.
Ring!
"Got it," Harry said.
"You seem to like going for entrances?" Wood asked.
"I prefer surviving Herbology," Harry said.
The reasons breathed around him.
"We stayed put," Ash said.
Professor McGonagall returned.
"Pardon me Wood," Professor McGonagall said, "First years have a change in schedule, study hall in lieu of Herbology. Can you please oversee them?"
Wood nodded.
"Minerva—please!" came Professor Sprout's voice.
"You abandoned your post," Professor McGonagall said, "One of your students clearly ate the plant and he is now under the care of Madam Pomfrey until it clears."
"You heard," Wood said.
The first years left, along with Wood.
"Harry," Neville said, "What did happen?"
Harry went up to the board, grabbed the chalk.
"ANJSER" Harry said as he wrote, began to sketch out the plant, with the broad hairy leaves, the vines and the berries attached. "This is what I saw of that plant. Fawkes, one moment."
Harry disapparated, apparated into the greenhouse, empty of people, the plants still on the tables. Harry went to one.
"Mind?" Harry asked, "For the bird."
Harry picked a couple of berries, the ones that were large, felt juicy, with the same shimmering as before. He disapparated, apparated into the Headmaster's office, by the perch of Fawkes.
"For you," Harry suggested to the crimson bird, held the berries out in an outstretched hand.
"I told you," said Professor Sprout, "I stepped out of the greenhouse after collecting their essays, I thought I could trust them for a moment, but then Filius was available, you know how he is."
Harry watched as Fawkes ate the berries, the squawk.
"Mr. Potter," said Professor Dumbledore said, "Will you please not sneak around and simply wait for me outside."
"I wasn't waiting on you," Harry said.
Harry took the stroll, left the office. He disapparated, apparated back into the transfiguration classroom.
"You're getting good with the disillusion Harry," Ron said.
Professor McGonagall was there, her eyes on Harry.
"Want to see it again?" Harry asked, "Or not?"
A swish of his wand, the Invisibility Charm. Two steps to his left, and he let it go.
"That was effective," Professor McGonagall said.
"An incident occurs by me simply wanting to attend Herbology, unmolested," Harry said, "Instead it's a very practical exercise in Defense Against the Dark Arts, failure isn't some bad mark, it's death. I take all measures to protect those in my charge, and I will not apologize for that."
Harry spotted the maternal pride. He went to the board.
"Yes," Harry said, "Dumbledore's Phoenix Fawkes eats the berries, therefore, either the bird shares in my imagination, or those things are real. I don't know why you're not able to see them."
"Harry," Hermione said, "Nobody else is seeing that."
"Not the first time I've had an ability that nobody else does," Harry said as he walked to her, "What I do know is that it's sentient, it knew what I needed, and it's what pulled Neville, Parvati, and myself a moment earlier in time, which is all I needed to rescue them."
"How many times can we bang with that?" Gia asked.
Harry snickered.
"And nobody died," Harry said.
"Remains to be seen," said Professor McGonagall.
Harry spun.
"Mr. Thomas apparently ingested the plant," Professor McGonagall said, "Madam Pomfrey's unsure."
"I'm…" Harry cast the Invisibility Charm as he walked, disapparated. Feet onto the marble of the Hospital Wing.
"You sent?" asked Professor Snape as he entered.
A grab toward where Harry stood.
"Severus," said Madam Pomfrey, "Poisoning and the common Antidote fails to work."
"I need to ask the Headmaster for a raise," Professor Snape said, "Bezoars are hard to come by."
Harry walked behind the Potions master, through the curtain screens to the idled Dean Thomas. Vines without leaves circled, bound him.
"That won't work," Harry said.
"Potter!" Professor Snape said.
"Hurry," said Madam Pomfrey.
Professor Snape pushed the stone like mass between the lips, the wand aimed, and Harry heard the gulp.
"No effect," Professor Snape said.
"Step aside," Harry snapped.
Harry felt his disillusionment drop. Harry let his guard down, knew the Potion Master was watching what Harry saw, the vine that shrouded, wrapped Dean. Harry aimed his wand, brought the tip to touch the vine.
"Nobody dies today," Harry said, "Let the fool learn from his mistakes, and come with me."
Harry watched the vine move, coil itself around Harry's arm, around his back, to the other arm.
"Dean offended it," Harry said.
Harry cast his Invisibility Charm, disapparated, apparated back into the Headmaster's office next to Fawkes; Professor Dumbledore at his desk, though no others.
"Alas," Professor Dumbledore said, "Another visit?"
"Because nobody dies today," Harry said, his charm dropped.
Harry raised his arm, Fawkes nibbled at the vine, it moved over, wove itself into the nest.
"Anjser made for an interesting Herbology lesson," Harry said.
"Going beyond the textbook?" asked the Headmaster.
"Yeah," Harry said, "Excuse me. I need to get back to Transfiguration."
Harry went back through the door, out to the stairs. A disapparation, apparation, he reappeared in the classroom, next to Gia.
"Mischief managed," Harry said to Ron, "Or so I hope."
Harry wondered about the headache of going to lunch.
"How has your day been so far?" Harry asked.
"Interesting," Gia said.
He leaned over, kissed her.
That afternoon, Harry glanced at Ron, the beetle on the crimson of his Quidditch Robes. Gia and Hermione joined as they entered the Headmaster's office.
"Good afternoon," Professor Dumbledore said, one hand on the cane, the other held up a magnifying glass to the eye, "Fine day for a bit of flying."
"Quidditch practice," Harry said as he stepped up.
On the dark wood of the desk, laid three small thin cylinders thinner than a tuna can, dissected open. The tin under scrutiny full of little black strands of hair, brown and red in the others.
"Guessing it's the latest—" Harry said.
"Bugged," Ron warned.
Harry spotted the delay in the Headmaster's blue eyes.
"Fancy a look," Professor Dumbledore said.
"Hairs," Harry said, "Mine?"
Professor Dumbledore had a pair of forceps in his fingers, held up a small pearl white sphere about the size of a marble, held it up to the light. Within the solid translucent substance, a single black hair.
"Should be obvious," the Headmaster said.
"Hair trap," Hermione said.
"Harvest them from me," Harry said, "That's why there hasn't been an incident—they need more hairs."
"So empty these out and make them wait?" Gia asked.
Ron snickered.
"This trap is like the other two planted in the wall outside Wood's office," Professor Dumbledore said, "Separate traps to keep the collection sorted."
"So we walk past, and pluck?" Ron asked, "A haircut to the collection?"
"Affirmative Mr. Weasley," Professor Dumbledore said.
"Not enough for us to notice it," Harry said.
"And it'd give them an unlimited supply if we hadn't found it," the Headmaster said.
"I'd prefer to keep the unlimited supply," Gia said.
"We got these three," Harry said, "There could be more."
"Moody and Professor Tonks are still searching for more," the Headmaster said.
"As these do not directly threaten your safety," Professor Dumbledore said, "I leave Quidditch Practice up to you."
"Good chance to brush up on my Healing," Hermione said.
"Quidditch is safe," Ron said.
"Last match?" Hermione asked.
"A fluke," Ron said, "It's not every time our brooms get jinxed."
Harry spotted the bemusement in the old man's eyes.
"Fly safe," the Headmaster said to Harry.
Harry stuck his arm out, Gia held on, and they followed Ron and Hermione out the door and onto the stairs.
Date: Tue Mar 26 07:59:48 2024