Shock and misery, and threw himself back onto the ground.It took them nearly half an hour to calm down Kreacher, who was so overcome to
Be presented with a Black family heirloom for his very own that he was too weak at the
Knees to stand properly. When finally he was able to totter a few steps they all
Accompanied him to his cupboard, watched him tuck up the locket safely in his dirty
Blankets, and assured him that they would make its protection their first priority while he
Was away. He then made two low bows to Harry and Ron, and even gave a funny little
spasm in Hermione’s direction that might have been an attempt at a respectful salute,
Before Disapparating with the usual loud crack.
The Bribe
If Kreacher could escape a lake full of Inferi, Harry was confident that the capture
Of Mundungus would take a few hours at most, and he prowled the house all morning in a
State of high anticipation. However, Kreacher did not return that morning or even that
Afternoon. By nightfall, Harry felt discouraged and anxious, and a supper composed
Largely of moldy bread, upon which Hermione had tried a variety of unsuccessful
Transfigurations, did nothing to help.
Kreacher did not return the following day, nor the day after that. However, two
Cloaked men had appeared in the square outside number twelve, and they remained there
Into the night, gazing in the direction of the house that they could not see.
“Death Eaters, for sure,” said Ron, as he, Harry, and Hermione watched from the
drawing room windows. “Reckon they know we’re in here?”
“I don’t think so,” said Hermione, though she looked frightened, “or they’d have
sent Snape in after us, wouldn’t they?”
“D’you reckon he’s been in here and has his tongue tied by Moody’s curse?”
Asked Ron.
“Yes,” said Hermione, “otherwise he’d have been able to tell that lot how to get in,
wouldn’t he? But they’re probably watching to see whether we turn up. They know that
Harry owns the house, after all.”
“How do they --?” began Harry.
“Wizarding wills are examined by the Ministry, remember? They’ll know Sirius
left you the place.”
The presence of the Death Eaters outside increased the ominous mood inside
Number twelve. They had not heard a word form anyone beyond Grimmauld Place since
Mr. Weasley’s Patronus, and the strain was starting to tell. Restless and irritable, Ron had
Developed an annoying habit of playing with the Deluminator in his pocket; This
Particularly infuriated Hermione, who was whiling away the wait for Kreacher by
Studying The Tales of Beedle the Bard and did not appreciate the way the lights kept
Flashing on and off.
“Will you stop it!” she cried on the third evening of Kreacher’s absence, as all the
Light was sucked from the drawing room yet again.
“Sorry, sorry!” said Ron, clicking the Deluminator and restoring the lights. “I
don’t know I’m doing it!”
“Well, can’t you find something useful to occupy yourself?”
“What, like reading kids’ stories?”
“Dumbledore left me this book, Ron –”
“—and he left me the Deluminator, maybe I’m supposed to use it!”
Unable to stand the bickering, Harry slipped out of the room unnoticed by either
Date: 2015-12-11; view: 708
|