Weight of tension leaving him.

“And the rumors that he keeps being sighted abroad?” asked Lee.

“Well, who wouldn’t want a nice little holiday after all the hard work he’s been

putting in?” asked Fred. “Point is, people, don’t get lulled into a false sense of security,

thinking he’s out of the country. Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t, but the fact remains he can

move faster than Severus Snape confronted with shampoo when he wants to, so don’t

count on him being a long way away if you’re planning to take any risks. I never thought

I’d hear myself say it, but safety first!”

“Thank you very much for those wise words, Rapier,” said Lee. ”Listeners, that

brings us to the end of another Potterwatch. We don’t know when it will be possible to

broadcast again, but you can be sure we shall be back. Keep twiddling those dials: The

next password will be ‘Mad-Eye.’ Keep each other safe: Keep faith. Good night.”

The radio’s dial twirled and the lights behind the tuning panel went out. Harry,

Ron, and Hermione were still beaming. Hearing familiar, friendly voices was an

Extraordinary tonic; Harry had become so used to their isolation he had nearly forgotten

That other people were resisting Voldemort. It was like waking from a long sleep.

“Good, eh?” said Ron happily.

“Brilliant,” said Harry.

“It’s so brave of them,” sighed Hermione admiringly. “If they were found …”

“Well, they keep on the move, don’t they?” said Ron. “Like us.”

“But did you hear what Fred said?” asked Harry excitedly; now the broadcast was

over, his thoughts turned around toward his all consuming obsession. “He’s abroad! He’s

still looking for the Wand, I knew it!”

“Harry—“

“Come on, Hermione, why are you so determined not to admit it? Vol –“

“HARRY, NO!”

“—demort’s after the Elder Wand!”

“The name’s Taboo!” Ron bellowed, leaping to his feet as a loud crack sounded

outside the tent. “I told you, Harry, I told you, we can’t say it anymore – we’ve got to put

the protection back around us – quickly – it’s how they find –“

But Ron stopped talking, and Harry knew why. The Sneakoscope on the table had

lit up and begun to spin; they could hear voices coming nearer and nearer: rough, excited

voices. Ron pulled the Deluminator out of his pocket and clicked it: Their lamps went out.

“Come out of there with your hands up!” came a rasping voice through the

darkness. “We know you’re in there! You’ve got half a dozen wands pointing at you and

we don’t care who we curse!”

Malfoy Manor

Harry looked around at the other two, now mere outlines in the darkness. He saw

Hermione point her wand, set toward the outside, but into his face; there was a bang, a

Burst of white light, and he buckled in agony, unable to see. He could feel his face

Swelling rapidly under his hands as heavy footfalls surrounded him.

"Get up, vermin."

Unknown hands dragged Harry roughly off the ground, before he could stop them,

Someone had rummaged through his pockets and removed the blackthorn wand. Harry

Clutched at his excruciatingly painful face, which felt unrecognizable beneath his fingers,

Tight, swollen, and puffy as though he had suffered some violent allergic reaction. His

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 631