Horn as fast as he could, given the extreme clutter of the room.

"There's a description in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them! Mr.

Lovegood, you need to get rid of it straightaway, don't you know it can

explode at the slightest touch?"

"The Crumple Horned Snorkack" said Xenophilius very clearly, a mulish

look upon his face, “is a shy and highly magical creature, and it's horn -"

"Mr. Lovegood. I recognize the grooved markings around the base, that's

an Erumpent horn and it's incredibly dangerous - I don't know where you got

It-"

"I bought it," said Xenophilius dogmatically. "Two weeks ago, from a

Delightful young wizard who knew my interest in the exquisite Snorkack. A

Christmas surprise for my Luna. Now," he said, turning to Harry, "why

exactly have you come here, Mr. Potter?"

"We need some help," said Harry, before Hermione could start again.

"Ah," said Xenophilius, "Help, Hmm."

His good eye moved again to Harry's scar. He seemed simultaneously

Terrified and mesmerized.

"Yes. The thing is ... helping Harry Potter ... rather dangerous..."

"Aren't you the one who keeps telling everyone it's their first duty to

help Harry?" said Ron. "In that magazine of yours?"

Xenophilius glanced behind him at the concealed printing press, still

Banging and clattering beneath the tablecloth.

"Er - yes, I have expressed that view. however -"

"That's for everyone else to do, not you personally?" said Ron.

Xenophilius did not answer. He kept swallowing, his eyes darting between

The three of them. Harry had the impression that he was undergoing some

Painful internal struggle.

"Where's Luna?" asked Hermione. "Let's see what she thinks."

Xenophilius gulped. He seemed to be steeling himself. Finally he said in

a shaky voice difficult to hear over the noise of the printing press, "Luna

Is down at the stream, fishing for Freshwater Plimpies. She...she will like

to see you. I'll go and call her and then - yes, very well. I shall try to

help you."

He disappeared down the spiral staircase and they heard the front open

And close. They looked at each other.

"Cowardly old wart," said Ron. "Luna's got ten times his guts."

"He's probably worried about what'll happen to them if the Death Eaters

find out I was here" said Harry.

"Well, I agree with Ron, " said Hermione, "Awful old hypocrite, telling

Everyone else to help you and trying to worm our of it himself. And for

heaven's sake keep away from that horn."

Harry crossed to the window on the far side of the room. He could see a

Stream, a thin, glittering ribbon lying far below them at the base of the

Hill. They were very high up; a bird fluttered past the window as he stared

In the direction of the Burrow, now invisible beyond another line of hills.

Ginny was over there somewhere. They were closer to each other today than

they had been since Bill and Fleur's wedding, but she could have no idea he

Was gazing toward her now, thinking of her. He suppose he ought to be glad

of it; anyone he came into contact with was in danger, Xenophilius's attitude

Proved that.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 712