Chapter 11 Aboard the Hogwart Express

on that point was a definite end-of-the-holidays gloom in the air when kick up awoke neighboring morning. Heavy rain was lull splattering over against the window as he got dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt they would change into their school robes on the Hogwarts behave.He, Ron, Fred, and George had save reached the first-floor landing on their way down to breakfast, when Mrs. Weasley appe atomic number 18d at the foot of the stairs, feeling harassed.Arthur she forebodeed up the staircase. Arthur Urgent message from the MinistryHarry flattened himself against the wall as Mr. Weasley came clattering past with his robes on concealment-to- fore discontinue and hurtled show up of sight. When Harry and the others entered the kitchen, they saw Mrs. Weasley rummaging anxiously in the drawers Ive got a quill here mostwhere and Mr. Weasley bending ever soyp em grisly the fire, talking to Harry shut his eyes hard and opened them again to make for sure that they were working pr operly.Amos Diggorys head was sitting in the midway of the flames equivalent a large, bearded egg. It was talking very fast, completely unflurried by the sparks flying just ab forbidden it and the flames licking its ears.Muggle neighbors heard bangs and sh discovering, so they went and called those what-dyou-call-ems please-men. Arthur, youve got to bilk over there -Here verbalise Mrs. Weasley breathlessly, pushing a segment of parchment, a bottle of ink, and a crumpled quill into Mr. Weasleys hands.- its a realistic stroke of luck I heard active it, tell Mr. Diggorys head. I had to come into the outice early to send a couple of owls, and I found the Improper Use of trick locoweed all position off if Rita Skeeter gos h experienced of this one, Arthur -What does Mad-Eye say happened? asked Mr. Weasley, unscrewing the ink bottle, loading up his quill, and preparing to allow in notes.Mr. Diggorys head rolled its eyes. Says he heard an intruder in his yard. Says he was creeping toward the house, but was ambushed by his dustbins.What did the dustbins do? asked Mr. Weasley, scribbling frantically.Made one perdition of a noise and fired rubbish everywhere, as far as I can tell, state Mr. Diggory. App deformly one of them was still rocketing approximately when the please-men turned up -Mr. Weasley groaned.And what about the intruder?Arthur, you experience Mad-Eye, give tongue to Mr. Diggorys head, bankroll its eyes again. Someone creeping into his yard in the dead of darkness? More likely theres a very shell-shocked cat wandering around somewhere, covered in potato peelings. nevertheless if the Improper Use of Magic lot annoy their hands on Mad-Eye, hes had it bet of his record weve got to get him off on a minor charge, something in your department what atomic number 18 exploding dustbins worth?Might be a caution, verbalise Mr. Weasley, still committal to writing very fast, his brow furrowed. Mad-Eye didnt use his wand? He didnt actua lly fervor eitherone?Ill bet he leapt out of bed and started jinxing everything he could reach through with(predicate) the window, say Mr. Diggory, but theyll fall in a job proving it, there atomic number 18nt any casualties.All right, Im off, Mr. Weasley verbalise, and he stuffed the parchment with his notes on it into his pocket and dashed out of the kitchen again.Mr. Diggorys head looked around at Mrs. Weasley.Sorry about this, Molly, it tell, more than than calmly, bothering you so early and everythingbut Arthurs the yet one who can get Mad-Eye off, and Mad-Eyes hypothetic to be get-go his new job today. wherefore he had to use up last nightNever mind, Amos, verbalise Mrs. Weasley. Sure you wont have a bit of toast or anything before you go?Oh go on, thusly, said Mr. Diggory.Mrs. Weasley in any casek a piece of buttered toast from a stack on the kitchen table, limit it into the fire tongs, and transferred it into Mr. Diggorys mouth.Fanks, he said in a gagd voi ce, and then, with a small pop, vanished.Harry could hear Mr. Weasley calling hurried good-byes to declivityup, Charlie, Percy, and the girls. Within quintet minutes, he was back in the kitchen, his robes on the right way now, draw a comb through his hair.Id better hurry you have a good term, boys, said Mr. Weasley to Harry, Ron, and the twins, fastening a cloak over his shoulders and preparing to Disapparate. Molly, are you passing to be all right taking the kids to Kings Cross?Of personal line of credit I will, she said. You just look later Mad-Eye, well be fine.As Mr. Weasley vanished, Bill and Charlie entered the kitchen.Did someone say Mad-Eye? Bill asked. Whats he been up to now.He says someone tried to break into his house last night, said Mrs. Weasley.Mad-Eye Moody? said George thought aboundingy, spreading marmalade on his toast. Isnt he that nutter -Your grow thinks very passing of Mad-Eye Moody, said Mrs. Weasley sternly.Yeah, well, pa collects plugs, doesnt he? said Fred quietly as Mrs. Weasley odd the room. Birds of a feather.Moody was a great principal in his time, said Bill.Hes an old friend of Dumbledores, isnt he? said Charlie.Dumbledores not what youd call normal, though, is he? said Fred. I think up, I know hes a asterisk and everything.Who is Mad-Eye? asked Harry.Hes retired, used to work at the Ministry, said Charlie. I met him once when Dad as wellk me into work with him. He was an Auror one of the besta Dark wizard catcher, he added, entranceing Harrys blank look. Half the cells in Azkaban are full because of him. He make himself loads of enemies, thoughthe families of bulk he caught, chieflyand I heard hes been getting rattling paranoid in his old age. Doesnt trust anyone anymore. Sees Dark wizards everywhere.Bill and Charlie decided to come and see everyone off at Kings Cross station, but Percy, apologizing most profusely, said that he really needed to get to work.I just cant justify taking more time off at the m oment, he told them. Mr. Crouch is really starting to rely on me.Yeah, you know what, Percy? said George seriously. I reckon hell know your name soon.Mrs. Weasley had braved the telephone in the village post office to disposition cardinal ordinary Muggle taxis to take them into London.Arthur tried to borrow Ministry cars for us, Mrs. Weasley whispered to Harry as they stood in the rain-washed yard, c shoveing the taxi drivers heaving six ponderous Hogwarts trunks into their cars. But there werent any to spare.Oh dear, they dont look happy, do they?Harry didnt like to tell Mrs. Weasley that Muggle taxi drivers rarely transported overexcited owls, and Pigwidgeon was reservation an earsplitting racket. Nor did it help that a number of Filibusters Fabulous No-Heat, Wet-Start Fireworks went off circumstantially when Freds trunk sprang open, causing the driver carrying it to yell with fright and pain as Crookshanks clawed his way up the mans leg.The journey was uncomfortable, owing t o the fact that they were pile in the back of the taxis with their trunks. Crookshanks took quite a while to recover from the fireworks, and by the time they entered London, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all severely scratched. They were very relieved to get out at Kings Cross, even though the rain was coming down harder than ever, and they got mischievous carrying their trunks across the busy road and into the station.Harry was used to getting onto platform nine and three-quarters by now. It was a simple matter of paseo straight through the apparently solid barrier dividing platforms nine and ten. The only tricky part was doing this in an unobtrusive way, so as to deflect attracting Muggle attention. They did it in groups today Harry, Ron, and Hermione (the most conspicuous, since they were accompanied by Pigwidgeon and Crookshanks) went first they leaned coolly against the barrier, chatting unconcernedly, and slid sideways through itand as they did so, platform nine and three- quarters materialized in front of them.The Hogwarts Express, a gleaming scarlet steam engine, was already there, clouds of steam soar from it, through which the many Hogwarts students and parents on the platform appeared like dark ghosts. Pigwidgeon became noisier than ever in response to the hooting of many owls through the mist. Harry, Ron, and Hermione set off to watch over seats, and were soon stowing their luggage in a compartment halfway on the train. They then hopped back down onto the platform to say good-bye to Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie.I might be seeing you all sooner than you think, said Charlie, grinning, as he hugged Ginny good-bye.Why? said Fred keenly.Youll see, said Charlie. Just dont tell Percy I mentioned itits classified information, until such time as the Ministry sees fit to release it, after all.Yeah, I manikin of wish I were back at Hogwarts this year, said Bill, hands in his pockets, looking almost wistfully at the train.Why? said George impatiently .Youre going to have an inte reposeing year, said Bill, his eyes twinkling. I might even get time off to come and watch a bit of it.A bit of what? said Ron.But at that moment, the whistle blew, and Mrs. Weasley chivvied them toward the train admittances.Thanks for having us to stay, Mrs. Weasley, said Hermione as they climbed on board, closed the door, and leaned out of the window to talk to her.Yeah, thanks for everything, Mrs. Weasley, said Harry.Oh it was my pleasure, dears, said Mrs. Weasley. Id invite you for Christmas, butwell, I expect youre all going to insufficiency to stay at Hogwarts, what withone thing and another.Mum said Ron irritably. What dyou three know that we dont?Youll find out this evening, I expect, said Mrs. Weasley, smiling. Its going to be very exciting mind you, Im very glad theyve changed the rules -What rules? said Harry, Ron, Fred, and George together.Im sure Professor Dumbledore will tell you.Now, behave, wont you? Wont you, Fred? And you, George?The pistons hissed loudly and the train began to move.Tell us whats happening at Hogwarts Fred bellowed out of the window as Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie sped away from them. What rules are they changing?But Mrs. Weasley only smiled and waved. Before the train had rounded the corner, she, Bill, and Charlie had Disapparated.Harry, Ron, and Hermione went back to their compartment. The thick rain splattering the windows made it very difficult to see out of them. Ron undid his trunk, pulled out his maroon dress robes, and flung them over Pigwidgeons cage to muffle his hooting.Bagman needinessed to tell us whats happening at Hogwarts, he said grumpily, sitting down next to Harry. At the World Cup, think about? But my own mother wont say. Wonder what -Shh Hermione whispered suddenly, pressing her thumb to her lips and pointing toward the compartment next to theirs. Harry and Ron listened, and heard a familiar drawling voice drifting in through the open door.Father actually considered s ending me to Durmstrang quite an than Hogwarts, you know. He knows the headmaster, you see. hearty, you know his opinion of Dumbledore the mans such a Mudblood-lover and Durmstrang doesnt admit that sort of riffraff. But Mother didnt like the idea of me going to school so far away. Father says Durmstrang takes a far more sensible line than Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually learn them, not just the defense rubbish we do.Hermione got up, tiptoed to the compartment door, and slid it shut, blocking out Malfoys voice.So he thinks Durmstrang would have suited him, does he? she said angrily. I wish he had gone, then we wouldnt have to put up with him.Durmstrangs another wizarding school? said Harry.Yes, said Hermione sniffily, and its got a horrible reputation. According to An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe, it puts a lot of emphasis on the Dark Arts.I think Ive heard of it, said Ron vaguely. Where is it? What country?Well, nobody knows, do they? sai d Hermione, summit her eyebrows.Er why not? said Harry.Theres traditionally been a lot of rivalry between all the magic schools. Durmstrang and Beauxbatons like to conceal their whereabouts so nobody can steal their secrets, said Hermione matter-of-factly.Come off it, said Ron, starting to laugh. Durmstrangs got to be about the same size as Hogwarts how are you going to hide a great big castle?But Hogwarts is hidden, said Hermione, in surprise. Everyone knows thatwell, everyone whos read Hogwarts, A History, anyway.Just you, then, said Ron. So go on how dyou hide a place like Hogwarts?Its bewitched, said Hermione. If a Muggle looks at it, all they see is a moldering old crack with a sign over the entrance saying DANGER, DO non ENTER, UNSAFE.So Durmstrangll just look like a ruin to an outsider too?Maybe, said Hermione, shrugging, or it might have Muggle-repelling charms on it, like the World Cup stadium. And to keep foreign wizards from finding it, theyll have made it Unplotta ble -Come again?Well, you can enchant a building so its impossible to plot on a map, cant you?Erif you say so, said Harry.But I think Durmstrang must be somewhere in the far north, said Hermione thoughtfully. Somewhere very cold, because theyve got fur capes as part of their uniforms.Ah, think of the possibilities, said Ron dreamily. It wouldve been so easy to push Malfoy off a glacier and make it look like an accident.Shame his mother likes him.The rain became heavier and heavier as the train moved farther north. The sky was so dark and the windows so steamy that the lanterns were lit by midday. The lunch trolley came rattling a large the corridor, and Harry bought a large stack of Cauldron Cakes for them to share.Several of their friends looked in on them as the afternoon progressed, including Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Neville Longbottom, a round-faced, extremely short(p) boy who had been brought up by his formidable witch of a grandmother. Seamus was still wearing his Ir eland rosette. Some of its magic seemed to be wearing off now it was still squeaking Troy Mullet Moran but in a very feeble and exhausted sort of way. After half an second or so, Hermione, growing tired of the endless Quidditch talk, buried herself once more in The Standard obligate of Spells, Grade 4, and started trying to learn a Summoning Charm.Neville listened jealously to the others conversation as they relived the Cup match.Gran didnt want to go, he said miserably. Wouldnt buy tickets. It sounded amazing though.It was, said Ron. Look at this, NevilleHe rummaged in his trunk up in the luggage rack and pulled out the miniature figure of Viktor Krum.Oh wow, said Neville enviously as Ron atilt Krum onto his pudgy hand.We saw him right up close, as well, said Ron. We were in the Top Box -For the first and last time in your life, Weasley.genus Draco Malfoy had appeared in the doorway. Behind him stood Crabbe and Goyle, his enormous, thuggish cronies, both of whom appeared to ha ve grown at to the lowest degree a foot during the summer. Evidently they had overheard the conversation through the compartment door, which Dean and Seamus had go away ajar.Dont remember asking you to join us, Malfoy, said Harry coolly.Weasleywhat is that? said Malfoy, pointing at Pigwidgeons cage. A sleeve of Rons dress robes was dangling from it, swaying with the motion of the train, the moldy lace cuff very obvious.Ron made to stuff the robes out of sight, but Malfoy was too quick for him he seized the sleeve and pulled.Look at this said Malfoy in ecstasy, holding up Rons robes and showing Crabbe and Goyle, Weasley, you werent thinking of wearing these, were you? I mean they were very fashionable in about eighteen ninety eliminate dung, Malfoy said Ron, the same color as the dress robes as he snatched them back out of Malfoys grip. Malfoy howled with derisive laughter Crabbe and Goyle guffawed stupidly.Sogoing to enter, Weasley? dismissal to try and bring a bit of glory to t he family name? Theres silver involved as well, you knowyoud be able to afford some decent robes if you won.What are you talking about? snapped Ron.Are you going to enter? Malfoy repeated. I suppose you will, Potter? You never miss a chance to show off, do you?Either explain what youre on about or go away, Malfoy, said Hermione testily, over the top of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4.A gleeful smile spread across Malfoys pale faceDont tell me you dont know? he said delightedly. Youve got a father and brother at the Ministry and you dont even know? My God, my father told me about it ages agoheard it from Cornelius Fudge. But then, Fathers always associated with the top people at the Ministry.Maybe your fathers too junior to know about it, Weasleyyesthey probably dont talk about alpha stuff in front of him.Laughing once more, Malfoy beckoned to Crabbe and Goyle, and the three of them disappeared.Ron got to his feet and slammed the slip compartment door so hard behind them tha t the glass shattered.Ron said Hermione reproachfully, and she pulled out her wand, muttered Reparo and the glass shards flew back into a single pane and back into the door.Wellmaking it look like he knows everything and we dont. Ron snarled. Fathers always associated with the top people at the MinistryDad couldve got a promotion any timehe just likes it where he is.Of course he does, said Hermione quietly. Dont let Malfoy get to you, Ron -Him Get to me? As if said Ron, picking up one of the be Cauldron Cakes and squashing it into a pulp.Rons bad mood continued for the rest of the journey. He didnt talk much as they changed into their school robes, and was still glowering when the Hogwarts Express slowed down at last and finally stopped in the pitch-darkness of Hogsmeade station.As the train doors opened, there was a rumble of thunder overhead. Hermione bundled up Crookshanks in her cloak and Ron left his dress robes over Pigwidgeon as they left the train, heads bent and eyes narro wed against the downpour. The rain was now coming down so thick and fast that it was as though buckets of ice-cold water were creation emptied repeatedly over their heads.Hi, Hagrid Harry yelled, seeing a gigantic silhouette at the far end of the platform.All righ, Harry? Hagrid bellowed back, waving. See yeh at the feast if we don drownFirst years traditionally reached Hogwarts Castle by sailing across the lake with Hagrid.Oooh, I wouldnt fancy crossing the lake in this weather, said Hermione fervently, shivering as they inched slowly along the dark platform with the rest of the crowd. A hundred horseless carriages stood waiting for them outside the station. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville climbed gratefully into one of them, the door shut with a snap, and a few moments later, with a great lurch, the long procession of carriages was rumbling and splashing its way up the track toward Hogwarts Castle.