Smashed apart by a jinx that had sailed through another broken window. Their remains

Stirred feebly on the floor, and as Harry leapt over one of their disembodied heads, it

moaned faintly. “Oh, don’t mind me . . . I’ll just be here and crumble. . . .”

Its ugly stone face made Harry think suddenly of the marble bust of Rowena

Ravenclaw at Xenophilius’s house, wearing that mad headdress – and then of the statue

In Ravenclaw Tower, with the stone diadem upon her white curls. . . .

And as he reached the end of the passage, the memory of a third stone effigy

came back to him: that of an ugly old warlock, onto whose head Harry himself had

Placed a wig and a battered old hat. The shock shot through Harry with the heat of

Firewhisky, and he nearly stumbled.

He knew, at least, where the Horcrux sat waiting for him. . . .

Tom Riddle, who confided in no one and operated alone, might have been

Arrogant enough to assume that he, and only he, had penetrated the deepest mysteries of

Hogwarts Castle. Of course, Dumbledore and Flitwick, those model pupils, had never set

Foot in that particular place, but he, Harry, had strayed off the beaten track in his time at

school – here at least was a secret area he and Voldemort knew, that Dumbledore had

never discovered –

He was roused by Professor Sprout, who was thundering past followed by Neville

And half a dozen others, all of them wearing earmuffs and carrying what appeared to be

Large potted plants.

“Mandrakes!” Neville bellowed at Harry over his shoulder as he ran. “Going to

lob them over the walls – they won’t like this!”

Harry knew now where to go. He sped off, with Hagrid and Fang galloping

Behind him. They passed portrait after portrait, and the painted figures raced alongside

Them, wizards and witches in ruffs and breeches, in armor and cloaks, cramming

themselves into each others’ canvases, screaming news from other parts of the castle. As

They reached the end of this corridor, the whole castle shook, and Harry knew, as a

Gigantic vase blew off its plinth with explosive force, that it was in the grip of

Enchantments more sinister than those of the teachers and the Order.

“It’s all righ’, Fang – it’s all righ’!” yelled Hagrid, but the great boarhound had

Taken flight as slivers of china flew like shrapnel through the air, and Hagrid pounded off

After the terrified dog, leaving Harry alone.

He forged on through the trembling passages, his wand at the ready, and for the

Length of one corridor the little painted knight, Sir Cadrigan, rushed from painting to

Painting beside him, clanking along in his armor, screaming encouragement, his fat little

Pony cantering behind him.

“Braggarts and rogues, dogs and scoundrels, drive them out, Harry Potter, see

them off!”

Harry hurtled around a corner and found Fred and a small knot of students,

Including Lee Jordan and Hannah Abbott, standing beside another empty plinth, whose

Statue had concealed a secret passageway. Their wands were drawn and they were

Listening at the concealed hole.

“Nice night for it!” Fred shouted as the castle quaked again, and Harry sprinted by,

Elated and terrified in equal measure. Along yet another corridor he dashed, and then

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 543