p class="MsoNormal"The morning in Burrow turned out to be hot and cloudless. The sun's rays filtered through the painted window panes, bathing the kitchen in a warm glow. Mrs. Weasley, despite the early hour, was already busy at the stove, deftly wielding her wand. Pans bounced merrily, eggs and bacon were heaped onto plates, and corn on the cob was peeled in one go./p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Ronnie, honey, wake up!" she called, leaning out into the corridor. "It's time to get up, the Minister of Magic will be here soon."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"There was an audible groan from upstairs, followed by the muffled patter of bare feet on the floorboards. A sleepy Ron trotted down the stairs, his red curls sticking out in different directions./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Come on, mom, is it the minister again?" he grumbled, plopping down on a chair. "Maybe this time we can do without surprises?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Hermione, still disheveled and dressed, burst into the kitchen, led by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Good morning, Mrs. Weasley!" she exclaimed joyfully. "Can I have a cup? Where's Harry?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"As if answering her question, a dull thud of something heavy was heard from the living room, and everyone froze at once, listening./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Yes, so that the grindylow kisses me!" Harry's voice reached them, sounding very upset. "These seizures again!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Through the open door to the living room they saw Harry sitting on the floor and looking in confusion at the pieces of a broken vase. His tousled hair was damp with sweat, and a scar in the shape of a zigzag lightning bolt was clearly visible on his forehead./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Uh...everything okay there, buddy?" - Ron shouted, filling his mouth with oatmeal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry shook his head and rose to his feet, carefully pushing the shards aside with his foot./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Yes, everything is fine. It's just... the visions were tormenting me again. "He rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly. "Thanks to Voldemort, he doesn't let me live at all!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At that second, the front door burst open, and the bulky figure of the Minister of Magic himself, Cornelius Fudge, squeezed through the opening, dressed in a saggy three-piece suit and a knitted vest. His round face was glistening with sweat, and his tiny eyes were fluttering senselessly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Um... am I at the wrong time?" he muttered, looking around the mess in the living room and the dumbfounded faces of Ron and Hermione./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry rushed forward and ceremoniously shook Fudge's hand./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""What are you saying, sir, everything is just fine! Sit down, I'll clean everything up now. "He grabbed the pieces in his palms and hurriedly poured them into the trash can./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge nodded and walked over to the table, almost knocking over the coffee pot with his elbow as he tried to sit down in the cramped chair. Molly Weasley hurriedly picked up the coffee pot and poured the minister a full cup of the steaming drink./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Okay, gentlemen... and ladies," Fudge began, sipping his scalding coffee and dripping drops onto his vest. - I called you together on... um, a very delicate matter.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ron and Hermione looked at each other questioningly as Fudge reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a nondescript leather case. Fudge solemnly placed the case on the table and motioned for everyone to move closer. In the silence that reigned, only the ticking of the clock on the wall and the quiet clinking of a spoon in the minister's cup could be heard./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""As you know," Fudge began, looking around at the worried faces, "our mutual friend and mentor, Albus Dumbledore, passed away two weeks ago under... um, very tragic circumstances."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Hermione sobbed and wiped her eyes with the corner of her handkerchief. Ron put his arm around her shoulders sympathetically. Harry sat silently, clenching his fists until his knuckles turned white./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""However," Fudge continued, opening the lid of the case, "before Dumbledore died, he left… something important for you three."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Inside the case were three small cases - one made of ebony with a silver monogram, another covered with intricate carvings, and the third covered in scratches, as if it had been dragged around./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""He bequeathed these things to you," Fudge said solemnly. "And he asked me to personally hand them over after... leaving."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Unable to contain his curiosity, Harry reached for the battered case and opened the lid. Inside the first case was an unremarkable golden snitch. Harry carefully removed it, and the tiny wings fluttered as if the toy had just been freed from its shackles./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""This Snitch..." said Harry, twirling the shiny ball in his fingers. "I didn't think I'd ever get it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge nodded with the air of someone who was well aware of the meaning of this gift. The minister then pulled out a carved case and handed it to Ron./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""And this, I suppose, is for you, Mr. Weasley."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ron opened the lid in bewilderment and stared at the strange object inside, reminiscent of an ordinary silver lighter./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Is this... a deluminator?" he said uncertainly, turning the wonder in his hands. "Why should I..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"But Fudge just shrugged, making it clear that he did not know the purpose of the mysterious artifact. Finally, he handed the monogrammed case to Hermione. The girl opened it with fascination and widened her eyes, looking at the tattered book bound in leather./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Tales of the Bard... Beadle?" she said, leafing through the yellowed pages./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge dabbed his forehead with a large checkered handkerchief./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""As you can see, our mutual friend Albus Dumbledore left... special personal items for each of you. This must be what he wanted..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge leaned back in his chair and pulled out a crumpled envelope containing red sealing wax from his inside jacket pocket./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Here are the last orders of Professor Dumbledore," he announced solemnly, taking out the covered sheets of paper. "Let me read out the relevant fragment."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"He cleared his throat and read aloud in a trembling voice:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""To Harry James Potter, I leave the Golden Snitch that he caught in his first match as a Gryffindor, as a reminder of the rewards that come from perseverance and skill..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry fell silent, stunned, clutching the Snitch in his palm and wondering what those mysterious words could mean./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""To Ronald Bilius Weasley," Fudge continued, his voice trembling with emotion, "I bequeath my deluminator in memory of the fact that it should shine in the darkness that was the human soul..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ron turned the strange object in his hands, puzzled, wondering what these words could mean./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""And to Miss Hermione Jean Granger," Fudge read, "I leave a copy of the tales of Beedle the Bard, in the hope that she will find them entertaining and instructive..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Hearing this, Hermione clutched the book tighter to her chest, her eyes widening in amazement. Fudge exhaled and put the will aside./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""This is what Albus Dumbledore wanted to convey to you before his death." These objects would probably reveal some important secret to you if you were to unravel their true meaning.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge leaned back in his chair and folded his hands over his stomach. Suspicion flickered in his gaze as he glanced around the trio at the table./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Although... to be honest, I'm still wondering why Albus left such strange things for you three?" he drawled, narrowing his eyes. "Judge for yourself, you are still very young... Has the old man really decided to stir up something like that?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ron began to grumble indignantly, but Hermione beat him to it:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""What do you mean by this, Minister?" She raised her eyebrows. "Professor Dumbledore was a great wizard, he would never..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""I don't want to say anything, Miss Granger," Fudge besieged her, raising his palm. "I'm just surprised by the choice... of heirs." We all know how the old man sometimes contradicted the Ministry and personally..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry pushed his chair back and jumped to his feet. His fists were clenched and his green eyes blazed with barely contained rage./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Professor Dumbledore was a great man!" he exclaimed angrily. "And if he left us these... things, then there was a reason for it!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge blinked in confusion and backed towards the door, as if Harry was about to pounce on him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Okay, okay, don't get angry, Potter! I'm just thinking out loud... The main thing is don't get into trouble, do you hear?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge took another step back, getting close to the door, and looked around the trio with a pointed gaze./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Although, I must admit, I continue to be perplexed... Why did the old man leave these particular things? And just you three?" He again reached for the will. "Let me quote... "Harry Potter has a golden snitch... with a wish to take a closer look at it..." Fudge stared at Harry expectantly. "And what's wrong with this Snitch, Potter?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry just shrugged, clutching the Snitch in his palm. Fudge turned his gaze to Ron ./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""A deluminator for Ronald Weasley, so that he can shine in the darkness... What does that mean, young man?/span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ron shivered uncomfortably, twirling the deluminator in his fingers./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Well... I somehow didn't... And for you, Miss Granger," Fudge turned to Hermione, "he left a book of fairy tales, a true wizard, he says, for me, one of a kind... A hint of something?" What is your special purpose?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Hermione stood up abruptly, clutching the book to her chest./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- You put too much burden on yourself, Minister! Professor Dumbledore was a great man, and I'm sure he had his reasons.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- Which do you know, then? - Fudge interrupted her insinuatingly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"There was an oppressive silence. It was clear that the minister's questions struck a chord with the heroes. Now they themselves were perplexed - what did Dumbledore mean by giving them these strange things?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At that very moment, the door swung open, and a tall figure in flowing scarlet robes, vaguely reminiscent of the outfit of an ancient Roman emperor, floated into the room. It was Ellen. Her eyes, a subtle emerald hue, sparkled like precious stones./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- What's going on here? - her ringing voice rang out, breaking the tense silence. Ellen slid gracefully towards the table, on which stood several glasses and a jug of water. "Minister, you allow yourself too much in the presence of the noble knights of Gryffindor."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge was petrified, as if the Empress of Rome herself had been carried to him by the wind. Ron gaped, unable to take his eyes off the mesmerizing beauty./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- L-Lady Ellen! - Fudge babbled, sniffing his short legs. - I... just asked them a couple of questions.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ellen raised her eyebrows and looked intently at the will lying on the table./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- Isn't it obvious? - She gestured to the heroes' belongings. "Dumbledore tried to convey to them some important knowledge through these artifacts. He believed in them, just as they once believed in me.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Her vision became blurred, as if she had fallen into a memory./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""By the way, Minister," Ellen suddenly woke up, "you now fully and completely recognize the revival of Voldemort?" What happened in the fall of 1995 that you changed your mind so abruptly?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge blushed and looked away, depressed by Ellen's menacing appearance. The girl looked around at the heroes and smiled faintly, as if encouraging them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""...By the way, Minister," Ellen seemed to glare at Fudge with a piercing gaze, "you now fully and completely recognize the revival of Voldemort?" And you won't back down, even though he has been appointed... Prime Minister of Britain?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Suspicion flashed in her cold purple eyes. Ellen tilted her head gracefully to the side, looking expectantly at Fudge. He blinked in embarrassment and began to clench his palms in his suddenly sweaty palms./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- I... Of course, I admit it, madam! - he stammered, fidgeting in his chair. - Facts are facts, after all. Even if You-Know-Who... temporarily leads the Muggles, it doesn't change.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"But Ellen no longer listened to him. Her eyebrows frowned and her gaze became distant, as if she was thinking about something else, much more important./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other in confusion. What is it like to live in a world where the one who is considered the most powerful dark wizard of all time suddenly becomes prime minister? And at the same time trust the Minister of Magic, whose words are as vague as the predictions of a fortune teller from Hogsmeade./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At the last words, Fudge fell silent, meeting Ellen's piercing, prickly gaze. With a sharp gesture, the girl snatched a thin rapier from the belt of her scarlet dress and with a lightning-quick movement threw it up, resting its tip on the hole between Fudge's collarbones./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- Doesn't change, you say? - she said through clenched teeth. Ellen's emerald eyes flashed with a menacing glow. - Well, prove that you are not under the spell of Imperius now!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge gasped and pulled back as far as the chair would allow. The rapier blade trembled, almost piercing his skinny chest./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Wha...what are you doing?! I am the Minister of Magic!" he screamed, pouring out cold sweat. "Lower your weapon immediately!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"But Ellen only narrowed her eyes, not taking her burning gaze off him. Her hair flashed like a golden glow./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""The Minister of Magic or a simple idiot on Voldemort's errands?" she said with an undisguised threat in her voice. "The choice is yours!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Hermione threw up her hands in horror, covering her mouth with her hand. Ron cowered in his chair, and Harry watched Ellen with delight and horror at the same time./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"The rapier in Ellen's hand trembled slightly, casting reflections on her marble skin. The girl's chest heaved powerfully, as if she had just survived a fierce fight./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Come on, Minister," she said through her teeth, without lowering her weapon./span "Show me that you are not a weak-willed puppet waiting for strings from your puppeteer!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At her words, Fudge seemed to shrink, as if a bucket of ice water had been thrown on him. His little eyes darted around in horror./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""I...I'm not...I'm not anyone's puppeteer!" he stammered, pressing himself into the back of the chair. "I am my own master, Lady Ellen! P-Please, put your weapon down!/span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At that moment, the rapier blade trembled and made a thin scratch on Fudge's neck, from which a tiny pearl of blood immediately appeared./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Convincing?" Ellen said venomously. Her emerald eyes sparkled. "Or shall we continue?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge gasped and raised his palms in a pleading gesture. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""D-don't, I beg you! I...I am loyal to the Ministry! And I'm ready to prove it even now!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ellen's gaze softened for a moment, after which she lowered the rapier with a smooth movement. The scarlet blade glistened, as if traces of blood were still visible on it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Okay, Minister," she nodded. "I will accept your oath of allegiance." But keep in mind - now there is a great game in which life is the smallest possible stake..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Her words hung in oppressive silence. Ron wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve, and Harry and Hermione looked at each other in horror - what else does the "great game" have in store for them?../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At that second, the front door swung open sharply, and the heavy figure of Alastor Moody appeared on the threshold. The former Auror froze in place, his magical eye bulging and looking around the scene in front of him with a stunned gaze./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge was still huddled in his chair, his hands raised pleadingly. Ellen stood with a gleaming rapier bald, her magnificent clothes and formidable appearance gave her a resemblance to a warlike Valkyrie. And the disheveled Ron, Harry and Hermione simply sat in stupor./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""This is... um ... I'll come by later," Moody rasped through his teeth after a long pause. His scarred face twisted into a crooked grin. "I won't bother you guys."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"He backed away and slammed the door behind him, almost hitting his shoulder on the frame. His heavy footsteps were heard walking away from outside./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"In the silence that followed, Ellen exhaled noisily and put the rapier back into her belt. Her cheeks turned slightly pink./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""You see, Minister," she turned to the dumbfounded Fudge. "You better not test my patience. Otherwise, next time we may not get away with just... an awkward incident./span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other silently, still under the impression of the strange scene. What exactly happened here? They knew one thing for sure - this could no longer be called a simple courtesy visit./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"It seemed that Ellen was about to release Fudge with stern instructions. But suddenly her face hardened and her eyes widened, as if she saw some terrible news in the distant glow of a candle./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"The hand itself reached for the hilt of the rapier, tightly gripping the scarlet blade. Ellen took a shaky breath, gathering her strength, and then raised her fiery gaze to Fudge, who was cowering in his chair./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Minister... I see the path that winds before you, winding and treacherous," she whispered in a choked voice. "And I clearly discern... death at its end. Close, as if around the corner./span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Her words hung in deathly silence. Ron swallowed, Hermione's face went white as a sheet. Fudge shifted in his chair, trying to look away./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""What?.. What are you talking about?.." he finally squeezed out, breaking out in cold sweat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ellen tilted her head to the side, like a proud empress looking at a prostrate slave./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Your loyalty to the Ministry, your oaths... All this will crumble into smoke and dust at the crossroads. And at night you will be surrounded by pitch darkness... which you cannot cope with./span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Her fingers clenched on the rapier's hilt until her knuckles turned white./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""But the choice is yours, Minister Fudge. Light or darkness... I don't see it./span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Holding their breath, the trio of heroes looked at Ellen in awe. An unearthly grandeur suddenly appeared in her appearance and speech, as if the goddess of war herself had appeared before them. And the secret of her true identity took on more and more sinister contours./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Ronnie, honey, wake up!" she called, leaning out into the corridor. "It's time to get up, the Minister of Magic will be here soon."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"There was an audible groan from upstairs, followed by the muffled patter of bare feet on the floorboards. A sleepy Ron trotted down the stairs, his red curls sticking out in different directions./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Come on, mom, is it the minister again?" he grumbled, plopping down on a chair. "Maybe this time we can do without surprises?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Hermione, still disheveled and dressed, burst into the kitchen, led by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Good morning, Mrs. Weasley!" she exclaimed joyfully. "Can I have a cup? Where's Harry?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"As if answering her question, a dull thud of something heavy was heard from the living room, and everyone froze at once, listening./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Yes, so that the grindylow kisses me!" Harry's voice reached them, sounding very upset. "These seizures again!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Through the open door to the living room they saw Harry sitting on the floor and looking in confusion at the pieces of a broken vase. His tousled hair was damp with sweat, and a scar in the shape of a zigzag lightning bolt was clearly visible on his forehead./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Uh...everything okay there, buddy?" - Ron shouted, filling his mouth with oatmeal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry shook his head and rose to his feet, carefully pushing the shards aside with his foot./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Yes, everything is fine. It's just... the visions were tormenting me again. "He rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly. "Thanks to Voldemort, he doesn't let me live at all!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At that second, the front door burst open, and the bulky figure of the Minister of Magic himself, Cornelius Fudge, squeezed through the opening, dressed in a saggy three-piece suit and a knitted vest. His round face was glistening with sweat, and his tiny eyes were fluttering senselessly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Um... am I at the wrong time?" he muttered, looking around the mess in the living room and the dumbfounded faces of Ron and Hermione./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry rushed forward and ceremoniously shook Fudge's hand./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""What are you saying, sir, everything is just fine! Sit down, I'll clean everything up now. "He grabbed the pieces in his palms and hurriedly poured them into the trash can./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge nodded and walked over to the table, almost knocking over the coffee pot with his elbow as he tried to sit down in the cramped chair. Molly Weasley hurriedly picked up the coffee pot and poured the minister a full cup of the steaming drink./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Okay, gentlemen... and ladies," Fudge began, sipping his scalding coffee and dripping drops onto his vest. - I called you together on... um, a very delicate matter.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ron and Hermione looked at each other questioningly as Fudge reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a nondescript leather case. Fudge solemnly placed the case on the table and motioned for everyone to move closer. In the silence that reigned, only the ticking of the clock on the wall and the quiet clinking of a spoon in the minister's cup could be heard./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""As you know," Fudge began, looking around at the worried faces, "our mutual friend and mentor, Albus Dumbledore, passed away two weeks ago under... um, very tragic circumstances."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Hermione sobbed and wiped her eyes with the corner of her handkerchief. Ron put his arm around her shoulders sympathetically. Harry sat silently, clenching his fists until his knuckles turned white./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""However," Fudge continued, opening the lid of the case, "before Dumbledore died, he left… something important for you three."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Inside the case were three small cases - one made of ebony with a silver monogram, another covered with intricate carvings, and the third covered in scratches, as if it had been dragged around./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""He bequeathed these things to you," Fudge said solemnly. "And he asked me to personally hand them over after... leaving."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Unable to contain his curiosity, Harry reached for the battered case and opened the lid. Inside the first case was an unremarkable golden snitch. Harry carefully removed it, and the tiny wings fluttered as if the toy had just been freed from its shackles./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""This Snitch..." said Harry, twirling the shiny ball in his fingers. "I didn't think I'd ever get it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge nodded with the air of someone who was well aware of the meaning of this gift. The minister then pulled out a carved case and handed it to Ron./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""And this, I suppose, is for you, Mr. Weasley."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ron opened the lid in bewilderment and stared at the strange object inside, reminiscent of an ordinary silver lighter./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Is this... a deluminator?" he said uncertainly, turning the wonder in his hands. "Why should I..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"But Fudge just shrugged, making it clear that he did not know the purpose of the mysterious artifact. Finally, he handed the monogrammed case to Hermione. The girl opened it with fascination and widened her eyes, looking at the tattered book bound in leather./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Tales of the Bard... Beadle?" she said, leafing through the yellowed pages./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge dabbed his forehead with a large checkered handkerchief./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""As you can see, our mutual friend Albus Dumbledore left... special personal items for each of you. This must be what he wanted..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge leaned back in his chair and pulled out a crumpled envelope containing red sealing wax from his inside jacket pocket./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Here are the last orders of Professor Dumbledore," he announced solemnly, taking out the covered sheets of paper. "Let me read out the relevant fragment."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"He cleared his throat and read aloud in a trembling voice:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""To Harry James Potter, I leave the Golden Snitch that he caught in his first match as a Gryffindor, as a reminder of the rewards that come from perseverance and skill..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry fell silent, stunned, clutching the Snitch in his palm and wondering what those mysterious words could mean./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""To Ronald Bilius Weasley," Fudge continued, his voice trembling with emotion, "I bequeath my deluminator in memory of the fact that it should shine in the darkness that was the human soul..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ron turned the strange object in his hands, puzzled, wondering what these words could mean./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""And to Miss Hermione Jean Granger," Fudge read, "I leave a copy of the tales of Beedle the Bard, in the hope that she will find them entertaining and instructive..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Hearing this, Hermione clutched the book tighter to her chest, her eyes widening in amazement. Fudge exhaled and put the will aside./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""This is what Albus Dumbledore wanted to convey to you before his death." These objects would probably reveal some important secret to you if you were to unravel their true meaning.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge leaned back in his chair and folded his hands over his stomach. Suspicion flickered in his gaze as he glanced around the trio at the table./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Although... to be honest, I'm still wondering why Albus left such strange things for you three?" he drawled, narrowing his eyes. "Judge for yourself, you are still very young... Has the old man really decided to stir up something like that?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ron began to grumble indignantly, but Hermione beat him to it:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""What do you mean by this, Minister?" She raised her eyebrows. "Professor Dumbledore was a great wizard, he would never..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""I don't want to say anything, Miss Granger," Fudge besieged her, raising his palm. "I'm just surprised by the choice... of heirs." We all know how the old man sometimes contradicted the Ministry and personally..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry pushed his chair back and jumped to his feet. His fists were clenched and his green eyes blazed with barely contained rage./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Professor Dumbledore was a great man!" he exclaimed angrily. "And if he left us these... things, then there was a reason for it!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge blinked in confusion and backed towards the door, as if Harry was about to pounce on him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Okay, okay, don't get angry, Potter! I'm just thinking out loud... The main thing is don't get into trouble, do you hear?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge took another step back, getting close to the door, and looked around the trio with a pointed gaze./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Although, I must admit, I continue to be perplexed... Why did the old man leave these particular things? And just you three?" He again reached for the will. "Let me quote... "Harry Potter has a golden snitch... with a wish to take a closer look at it..." Fudge stared at Harry expectantly. "And what's wrong with this Snitch, Potter?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry just shrugged, clutching the Snitch in his palm. Fudge turned his gaze to Ron ./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""A deluminator for Ronald Weasley, so that he can shine in the darkness... What does that mean, young man?/span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ron shivered uncomfortably, twirling the deluminator in his fingers./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Well... I somehow didn't... And for you, Miss Granger," Fudge turned to Hermione, "he left a book of fairy tales, a true wizard, he says, for me, one of a kind... A hint of something?" What is your special purpose?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Hermione stood up abruptly, clutching the book to her chest./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- You put too much burden on yourself, Minister! Professor Dumbledore was a great man, and I'm sure he had his reasons.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- Which do you know, then? - Fudge interrupted her insinuatingly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"There was an oppressive silence. It was clear that the minister's questions struck a chord with the heroes. Now they themselves were perplexed - what did Dumbledore mean by giving them these strange things?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At that very moment, the door swung open, and a tall figure in flowing scarlet robes, vaguely reminiscent of the outfit of an ancient Roman emperor, floated into the room. It was Ellen. Her eyes, a subtle emerald hue, sparkled like precious stones./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- What's going on here? - her ringing voice rang out, breaking the tense silence. Ellen slid gracefully towards the table, on which stood several glasses and a jug of water. "Minister, you allow yourself too much in the presence of the noble knights of Gryffindor."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge was petrified, as if the Empress of Rome herself had been carried to him by the wind. Ron gaped, unable to take his eyes off the mesmerizing beauty./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- L-Lady Ellen! - Fudge babbled, sniffing his short legs. - I... just asked them a couple of questions.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ellen raised her eyebrows and looked intently at the will lying on the table./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- Isn't it obvious? - She gestured to the heroes' belongings. "Dumbledore tried to convey to them some important knowledge through these artifacts. He believed in them, just as they once believed in me.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Her vision became blurred, as if she had fallen into a memory./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""By the way, Minister," Ellen suddenly woke up, "you now fully and completely recognize the revival of Voldemort?" What happened in the fall of 1995 that you changed your mind so abruptly?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge blushed and looked away, depressed by Ellen's menacing appearance. The girl looked around at the heroes and smiled faintly, as if encouraging them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""...By the way, Minister," Ellen seemed to glare at Fudge with a piercing gaze, "you now fully and completely recognize the revival of Voldemort?" And you won't back down, even though he has been appointed... Prime Minister of Britain?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Suspicion flashed in her cold purple eyes. Ellen tilted her head gracefully to the side, looking expectantly at Fudge. He blinked in embarrassment and began to clench his palms in his suddenly sweaty palms./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- I... Of course, I admit it, madam! - he stammered, fidgeting in his chair. - Facts are facts, after all. Even if You-Know-Who... temporarily leads the Muggles, it doesn't change.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"But Ellen no longer listened to him. Her eyebrows frowned and her gaze became distant, as if she was thinking about something else, much more important./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other in confusion. What is it like to live in a world where the one who is considered the most powerful dark wizard of all time suddenly becomes prime minister? And at the same time trust the Minister of Magic, whose words are as vague as the predictions of a fortune teller from Hogsmeade./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At the last words, Fudge fell silent, meeting Ellen's piercing, prickly gaze. With a sharp gesture, the girl snatched a thin rapier from the belt of her scarlet dress and with a lightning-quick movement threw it up, resting its tip on the hole between Fudge's collarbones./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"- Doesn't change, you say? - she said through clenched teeth. Ellen's emerald eyes flashed with a menacing glow. - Well, prove that you are not under the spell of Imperius now!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge gasped and pulled back as far as the chair would allow. The rapier blade trembled, almost piercing his skinny chest./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Wha...what are you doing?! I am the Minister of Magic!" he screamed, pouring out cold sweat. "Lower your weapon immediately!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"But Ellen only narrowed her eyes, not taking her burning gaze off him. Her hair flashed like a golden glow./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""The Minister of Magic or a simple idiot on Voldemort's errands?" she said with an undisguised threat in her voice. "The choice is yours!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Hermione threw up her hands in horror, covering her mouth with her hand. Ron cowered in his chair, and Harry watched Ellen with delight and horror at the same time./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"The rapier in Ellen's hand trembled slightly, casting reflections on her marble skin. The girl's chest heaved powerfully, as if she had just survived a fierce fight./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Come on, Minister," she said through her teeth, without lowering her weapon./span "Show me that you are not a weak-willed puppet waiting for strings from your puppeteer!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At her words, Fudge seemed to shrink, as if a bucket of ice water had been thrown on him. His little eyes darted around in horror./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""I...I'm not...I'm not anyone's puppeteer!" he stammered, pressing himself into the back of the chair. "I am my own master, Lady Ellen! P-Please, put your weapon down!/span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At that moment, the rapier blade trembled and made a thin scratch on Fudge's neck, from which a tiny pearl of blood immediately appeared./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Convincing?" Ellen said venomously. Her emerald eyes sparkled. "Or shall we continue?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge gasped and raised his palms in a pleading gesture. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""D-don't, I beg you! I...I am loyal to the Ministry! And I'm ready to prove it even now!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ellen's gaze softened for a moment, after which she lowered the rapier with a smooth movement. The scarlet blade glistened, as if traces of blood were still visible on it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Okay, Minister," she nodded. "I will accept your oath of allegiance." But keep in mind - now there is a great game in which life is the smallest possible stake..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Her words hung in oppressive silence. Ron wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve, and Harry and Hermione looked at each other in horror - what else does the "great game" have in store for them?../span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"At that second, the front door swung open sharply, and the heavy figure of Alastor Moody appeared on the threshold. The former Auror froze in place, his magical eye bulging and looking around the scene in front of him with a stunned gaze./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Fudge was still huddled in his chair, his hands raised pleadingly. Ellen stood with a gleaming rapier bald, her magnificent clothes and formidable appearance gave her a resemblance to a warlike Valkyrie. And the disheveled Ron, Harry and Hermione simply sat in stupor./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""This is... um ... I'll come by later," Moody rasped through his teeth after a long pause. His scarred face twisted into a crooked grin. "I won't bother you guys."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"He backed away and slammed the door behind him, almost hitting his shoulder on the frame. His heavy footsteps were heard walking away from outside./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"In the silence that followed, Ellen exhaled noisily and put the rapier back into her belt. Her cheeks turned slightly pink./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""You see, Minister," she turned to the dumbfounded Fudge. "You better not test my patience. Otherwise, next time we may not get away with just... an awkward incident./span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other silently, still under the impression of the strange scene. What exactly happened here? They knew one thing for sure - this could no longer be called a simple courtesy visit./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"It seemed that Ellen was about to release Fudge with stern instructions. But suddenly her face hardened and her eyes widened, as if she saw some terrible news in the distant glow of a candle./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"The hand itself reached for the hilt of the rapier, tightly gripping the scarlet blade. Ellen took a shaky breath, gathering her strength, and then raised her fiery gaze to Fudge, who was cowering in his chair./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Minister... I see the path that winds before you, winding and treacherous," she whispered in a choked voice. "And I clearly discern... death at its end. Close, as if around the corner./span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Her words hung in deathly silence. Ron swallowed, Hermione's face went white as a sheet. Fudge shifted in his chair, trying to look away./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""What?.. What are you talking about?.." he finally squeezed out, breaking out in cold sweat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Ellen tilted her head to the side, like a proud empress looking at a prostrate slave./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""Your loyalty to the Ministry, your oaths... All this will crumble into smoke and dust at the crossroads. And at night you will be surrounded by pitch darkness... which you cannot cope with./span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Her fingers clenched on the rapier's hilt until her knuckles turned white./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN""But the choice is yours, Minister Fudge. Light or darkness... I don't see it./span"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN"Holding their breath, the trio of heroes looked at Ellen in awe. An unearthly grandeur suddenly appeared in her appearance and speech, as if the goddess of war herself had appeared before them. And the secret of her true identity took on more and more sinister contours./span/p