Neville, and Luna probably had a good laugh with Hagrid. The Forbidden Forest . . .

they’ve faced plenty worse than the Forbidden Forest, big deal!”

He felt relieved; he had been imagining horrors, the Cruciatus Curse at the very

Least.

“What we really wanted to know, Professor Black, is whether anyone else has, um,

taken out the sword at all? Maybe it’s been taken away for cleaning—or something!”

Phineas Nigellus paused again in his struggles to free his eyes and sniggered.

“Muggle-born,” he said, “Goblin-made armor does not require cleaning, simple

girl. Goblin’s silver repels mundane dirt, imbibing only that which strengthens it.”

“Don’t call Hermione simple,” said Harry.

“I grow weary of contradiction,” said Phineas Nigellus. “perhaps it is time for me

to return to the headmaster’s office.?”

Still blindfolded, he began groping the side of his frame, trying to feel his way out

Of his picture and back into the one at Hogwarts. Harry had a sudden inspiration.

“Dumbledore! Can’t you bring us Dumbledore?”

“I beg your pardon?” asked Phineas Nigellus.

“Professor Dumbledore’s portrait—couldn’t you bring him along, here, into

yours?”

Phineas Nigellus turned his face in the direction of Harry’s voice.

“Evidently it is not only Muggle-borns who are ignorant, Potter. The portraits of

Hogwarts may commune with each other, but they cannot travel outside of the castle

Except to visit a painting of themselves elsewhere. Dumbledore cannot come here with

Me, and after the treatment I have received at your hands, I can assure you that I will not

be making a return visit!”

Slightly crestfallen, Harry watched Phineas redouble his attempts to leave his

Frame.

“Professor Black,” said Hermione, “couldn’t you just tell us, please, when was the

last time the sword was taken out of its case? Before Ginny took it out, I mean?”

Phineas snorted impatiently.

“I believe that the last time I saw the sword of Gryffindor leave its case was when

Professor Dumbledore used it to break open a ring.”

Hermione whipped around to look at Harry. Neither of them dared say more in

Front of Phineas Nigellus, who had at least managed to locate the exit.

“Well, good night to you,” he said a little waspishly, and he began to move out of

Sight again. Only the edge of his hat brim remained in view when Harry gave a sudden

Shout.

“Wait! Have you told Snape you saw this?”

Phineas Nigellus stuck his blindfolded head back into the picture.

“Professor Snape has more important things on his mind that the many

eccentricities of Albus Dumbledore. Good-bye, Potter!”

And with that, he vanished completely, leaving behind him nothing but his murky

Backdrop.

“Harry!” Hermione cried.

“I know!” Harry shouted. Unable to contain himself, he punched the air; it was

More than he had dared to hope for. He strode up and down the tent, feeling that he could

Have run a mile; he did not even feel hungry anymore. Hermione was squashing Phineas

Nigellus’s back into the beaded bag; when she had fastened the clasp she threw the bag

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1467