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: 718