Games
Innumerable candles were hovering in midair over four long, crowded tables, making the golden plates and goblets sparkle. Overhead, the bewitched ceiling, which always mirrored the sky outside, sparkled with stars. Through the forest of pointed black Hogwarts hats, Harry saw a long line of scared-looking first years filing into the Hall. Ginny was among them, easily visible because of her vivid Weasley https://warstrategygames.cloud/gta/gta-san-andreas-pc-download-windows-10.php. Meanwhile, Professor McGonagall, a bespectacled witch with her hair in a tight bun, was placing the famous Hogwarts Sorting Hat on a stool before the newcomers. Every year, this aged old hat, patched, frayed, and dirty, sorted new students into the four Hogwarts Houses (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin). Harry well remembered putting it on, exactly one year ago, and waiting, petrified, for its decision as it muttered aloud in his ear. For a few horrible seconds he had feared that the hat was going to put him in Slytherin, the House that had turned out more Dark witches and wizards than any other - but he had ended up in Gryffindor, along with Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the Weasleys. Last term, Harry and Ron had helped Gryffindor win the House Championship, beating Slytherin for the first time in seven years. A very small, mousy-haired boy had been called forward to place the hat on his head. Harrys eyes wandered past him to where Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, sat watching the Sorting from the staff table, his long silver beard and half-moon glasses shining brightly in the candlelight. Several seats along, Harry saw Gilderoy Lockhart, dressed in robes of aquamarine. And there at the end was Hagrid, huge and hairy, drinking deeply from his continue reading. Hang on. Harry muttered to Ron. Theres an empty chair at the staff table. Wheres Snape. Professor Severus Snape was Harrys least favorite teacher. Harry also happened to be Snapes least favorite student. Cruel, sarcastic, and disliked by everybody except the students from his own House (Slytherin), Snape taught Potions. Maybe hes ill. said Ron hopefully. Maybe hes left, said Harry, because he missed out on the Defense Against the Dark Arts job again. Or he might have been sacked. said Ron enthusiastically. I mean, everyone hates him - Or maybe, said check this out very cold voice right behind them, hes waiting to hear why you two didnt arrive on the school train. Harry spun around. There, his black robes rippling in a cold breeze, stood Severus Snape. He was a thin man with sallow skin, a hooked nose, and greasy, shoulder-length black hair, and at this moment, he was smiling in a way that told Harry he and Ron were in very deep trouble. Follow me, said Snape. Not daring even to look at each other, Harry and Ron followed Snape up the steps into the vast, echoing entrance hall, which was lit with flaming torches. A delicious smell of food was wafting from the Great Hall, but Snape led them away from the warmth and light, down a narrow stone staircase that led into the dungeons. he said, opening a door halfway down the cold passageway and pointing. They entered Snapes office, shivering. The shadowy walls were lined with shelves of large glass jars, in which floated all manner of revolting things Harry didnt really want to know the name of at the moment. The fireplace was dark and empty. Snape closed the door and turned to look at them. Go here, he said softly, the train isnt good enough for the famous Harry Potter and his faithful sidekick Weasley. Wanted to arrive with a bang, did we, boys. No, link, it was the barrier at Kings Cross, it - Silence. said Snape coldly. What have you done with the car. Ron gulped. This wasnt the first time Snape had given Harry the impression of being able to read minds. But a moment later, he understood, as Snape unrolled todays issue of the Evening Prophet. You were seen, he hissed, showing them the headline: FLYING FORD ANGLIA MYSTIFIES MUGGLES. He began to read aloud: Two Muggles in Games, convinced they saw an old car flying over the Post Office tower. at noon in Norfolk, Mrs. Hetty Bayliss, while hanging out her washing. Angus Fleet, of Peebles, reported to police. Six or seven Muggles in all. I believe your father works in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office. he said, looking up at Ron and smiling still more nastily. Dear, dear. his own son. Harry felt as though hed just article source walloped in the stomach by one of the mad trees larger branches. If anyone found out Mr. Weasley had bewitched the car. he hadnt thought of that. I noticed, in my search of the park, that considerable damage seems to have been done to a very valuable Whomping Willow, Snape went on. That tree did more damage to us than we - Ron blurted out. Silence. snapped Snape again. Most unfortunately, you are not in my House and the decision to click at this page you does not rest with me. I shall go and fetch the people who do have that happy power. You will wait here. Harry and Ron stared at each other, white-faced. Harry didnt feel hungry anymore. He now felt extremely sick. He tried not to look at a large, slimy something suspended in green liquid on a shelf behind Snapes desk. If Snape had gone to fetch Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor House, they were hardly any better off. She might be fairer than Snape, but she was still extremely strict. Ten minutes later, Snape returned, and sure enough it was Professor McGonagall who accompanied him. Harry had seen Professor McGonagall angry on several occasions, but either he had forgotten just how thin her mouth could go, or he had never seen her this angry before. She raised her wand the moment she entered; Harry and Ron both flinched, but she merely pointed it at the empty fireplace, where flames suddenly erupted. Sit, she said, and they both backed into chairs by the fire. Explain, she said, her glasses glinting ominously. Ron launched into the story, starting with the barrier at the station refusing to let them through. - so we had no choice, Professor, we couldnt get on the train. Why didnt you send us a letter by owl. I believe you have an owl. Professor McGonagall said coldly to Harry. Harry gaped at her. Now she said it, that seemed the obvious thing to have done. I - I didnt think - That, said Professor McGonagall, is obvious. There was a knock on the office door and Snape, now looking happier than ever, opened it. There stood the headmaster, Professor Dumbledore. Harrys whole body went numb. Dumbledore was looking unusually grave. He stared down his very crooked nose at them, and Harry suddenly found himself wishing he and Click the following article were still being beaten up by the Whomping Willow. There was a long silence. Then Dumbledore said, Please explain why you did this. It would have been better if he had shouted. Harry hated the disappointment in his voice. For some reason, he was unable to look Dumbledore in the eyes, and spoke instead to his knees. He told Dumbledore everything except that Mr. Weasley owned the bewitched car, making it sound as though he and Ron had happened to find a flying car parked outside the station. He knew Dumbledore would see through this at once, but Dumbledore asked no questions about the car. When Harry had finished, he merely continued to peer at them through his spectacles. Well go and get our stuff, said Ron in a hopeless sort of voice. What are you talking about, Weasley. barked Professor McGonagall. Well, youre expelling us, arent you. said Ron. Harry looked quickly at Dumbledore. Not today, Mr. Weasley, said Dumbledore. But I must impress upon both of you the seriousness of what you have done. I will be writing to both your families tonight. I must also warn you that if you do anything like this again, I will have no choice but to expel you. Snape looked as though Christmas had been canceled. He cleared his throat and said, Professor Dumbledore, these boys have flouted the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry, caused serious damage to an old and valuable tree - surely acts of this nature - It will be for Professor McGonagall to decide on these boys punishments, Learn more here, said Dumbledore calmly. They are in her House and are therefore her responsibility. He turned to Professor McGonagall. I must go back to the feast, Minerva, Ive got to give out a few notices. Come, Severus, theres a delicious-looking custard visit web page I want to sample - Snape shot a look of pure venom at Harry and Ron as he allowed himself to be swept out of his office, leaving them alone with Professor McGonagall, who was still eyeing them like a wrathful eagle. Youd better get along to the hospital wing, Weasley, youre bleeding. Not much, said Ron, hastily wiping the cut over his eye with his sleeve. Professor, I wanted to watch my sister being Sorted - The Sorting Ceremony is over, said Professor McGonagall. Your sister is also in Gryffindor. Oh, good, said Ron. And speaking of Gryffindor - Professor McGonagall said sharply, but Harry cut in: Professor, when we took the car, term hadnt started, so - so Gryffindor shouldnt really have points taken from it - should it. he finished, watching her anxiously. Professor McGonagall gave him a Games look, but he was sure she had almost smiled. Her mouth looked less thin, anyway. I will not take any points from Gryffindor, she said, and Harrys heart lightened considerably. But you will both get a detention. It was better than Harry had expected. As for Dumbledores writing to the Dursleys, that was nothing. Harry knew perfectly well theyd just be disappointed that the Whomping Willow hadnt squashed him flat. Professor McGonagall raised her wand again and pointed it at Snapes desk. A large plate of sandwiches, two silver goblets, and a jug of iced pumpkin juice appeared with a pop. You will eat in best turn based strategy games android and then go straight up to your dormitory, she said. I must also return to the feast. When the door had closed behind her, Ron let out a long, low whistle. I thought wed had it, he said, grabbing a sandwich. So did I, said Harry, taking one, too. Can you believe our luck, though. said Https://warstrategygames.cloud/war/european-war-6.php thickly through a mouthful of chicken and ham. Fred and George mustve flown that car five or six times and no Muggle ever saw them. He swallowed and took another huge bite. Why couldnt we get through the barrier. Harry shrugged. Well have to watch our step from now on, though, he said, taking a grateful swig of pumpkin juice. Wish we couldve gone up to the feast. She didnt want us showing off, said Ron sagely. Doesnt want people to think its clever, arriving by flying car. When they had eaten as many sandwiches as they could (the plate kept refilling itself), they rose and left the office, treading the familiar path to Gryffindor Tower. The castle was quiet; it seemed that the feast was over. They walked past muttering portraits and creaking suits of armor, and climbed narrow flights of stone stairs, until at last they reached the passage where the secret entrance to Gryffindor Tower was hidden, behind an oil painting of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress. Password. she said as they approached. Er - said Harry. They didnt know the new years password, not having met a Gryffindor prefect yet, but help came almost immediately; they heard hurrying feet behind them and turned to see Hermione dashing toward them. There you are. Where have you been. The most ridiculous rumors - someone said youd been expelled for crashing a flying car - Well, we havent been expelled, Harry assured her. Youre not telling me you did fly here. said Hermione, sounding almost as severe as Professor McGonagall. Skip the lecture, said Ron impatiently, and tell us the new password. Its wattlebird, said Hermione impatiently, but thats not the point - Her words were cut short, however, as the portrait of the fat lady swung open and there was a sudden storm of clapping. It looked as though the whole of Gryffindor House was still awake, packed into the circular common room, standing on the lopsided tables and squashy armchairs, waiting for them to arrive. Games reached through the portrait hole to pull Harry and Ron inside, leaving Hermione to scramble in after them. Brilliant. yelled Lee Jordan. Inspired. What an entrance. Flying a car right into the Whomping Willow, peoplell be talking about that one for years - Good for you, said a fifth year Harry had never spoken to; someone was patting him on the back as though hed just won a marathon; Fred and George pushed their way to the front of the crowd and said together, Why couldnt weve come in the car, eh. Ron was scarlet in the face, grinning embarrassedly, but Harry could see one person who didnt look happy at all. Percy was visible over the heads of some excited first years, and he seemed to be trying to get near enough to start telling them off. Harry nudged Ron in the ribs and nodded in Percys direction. Ron got the point at once. Got to get upstairs - bit tired, he said, and the two of them started pushing their way toward the door on the other side of the room, which led to a spiral staircase and the dormitories. Night, Harry called back to Hermione, who was wearing a scowl just like Percys. They managed to get to the other side of the common room, still having their backs slapped, and gained the peace of the staircase. They hurried up it, right to the top, and at last reached the door of their old dormitory, which now had a sign on it saying SECOND YEARS. They entered the familiar, circular room, with its five four-posters hung with red velvet and its high, narrow windows. Their trunks had been brought up for them and stood at the ends of their beds. Ron grinned guiltily at Harry. I know I shouldntve enjoyed that or anything, but - The dormitory door flew open and in came the other second year Gryffindor boys, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Neville Longbottom. Unbelievable. beamed Seamus. Cool, said Dean. Amazing, said Neville, awestruck. Harry couldnt help it. He grinned, too. T CHAPTER SIX GILDEROY LOCKHART he next day, however, Harry barely grinned once. Things started to go downhill from breakfast in the Great Hall. The four long House tables were laden with tureens of porridge, plates of kippers, mountains of toast, and dishes of eggs offensive mobile bacon, beneath the enchanted ceiling (today, a dull, cloudy gray). Harry and Ron sat down at the Gryffindor table next to Hermione, who had her copy of Voyages with Vampires propped open against a milk jug. There was a slight stiffness in the way she said Morning, which told Harry that she was still disapproving of the way they had arrived. Neville Longbottom, on the other hand, greeted them cheerfully. Neville was a roundfaced and accident-prone boy with the worst memory of anyone Harry had ever met. Mails due any minute - I think Grans sending a few things I forgot.
Harry stared up at Dumbledore. And then she sort of became normal again, and she couldnt remember anything shed said. Was it - was she making a real prediction. Dumbledore looked mildly impressed. Do you know, Harry, I think she might have been, he said thoughtfully. Whod apologise, ashes of the singularity escalation words thought it. That brings her total of real predictions up to two. I should offer her a pay raise. But - Harry looked at him, aghast. How Harley mobile legends Dumbledore take this so calmly. But - I stopped Sirius and Professor Lupin from killing Pettigrew. That makes it my fault if Voldemort comes back. It does not, said Dumbledore quietly. Hasnt your experience with the Time-Turner taught you anything, Harry. The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed. Professor Trelawney, bless her, is living proof of that. You did a very noble thing, in saving Pettigrews life. But if he helps Voldemort back to power -. Pettigrew owes his life to you. You have sent Voldemort a deputy who is in your debt. When one wizard saves another wizards life, it creates a certain bond between them. and Im much mistaken if Voldemort wants his servant in Harley mobile legends debt of Harry Potter. I dont want a bond with Pettigrew. said Harry. He betrayed my parents. This is magic at its deepest, its most impenetrable, Harry. But trust me. the time may come when you will be very glad you saved Pettigrews life. Harry couldnt imagine when that would be. Dumbledore looked as though he knew what Harry was thinking. I knew your father very well, both at Hogwarts and later, Harry, he said gently. He would have saved Pettigrew too, I am sure of it. Harry looked up at him. Dumbledore wouldnt laugh - he could tell Dumbledore. Last night. I thought it was my dad whod conjured my Patronus. I mean, when I saw myself across the Harley mobile legends. I thought I was seeing him. An easy mistake to make, said Dumbledore softly. I expect youll tire of hearing it, but you do look extraordinarily like James. Except for the eyes. you have your mothers eyes. Harry shook his head. It was stupid, thinking it was him, he muttered. I mean, I knew he was dead. You think the dead we have loved ever truly leave us. You think that we dont recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble. Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself most plainly when you have need of him. How else could you produce that particular Patronus. Prongs rode again last night. It took a moment for Harry to realize what Dumbledore had said. Last night Sirius told me all about how they became Animagi, said Dumbledore, smiling. An extraordinary achievement - not least, keeping it quiet from me. Harley mobile legends then Https://warstrategygames.cloud/android/crusader-kings-xbox.php remembered the most unusual form your Patronus took, when it charged Mr. Malfoy down at your Quidditch match against Ravenclaw. So you did see your father last night, Harry. You found him inside yourself. And Dumbledore left the office, leaving Harry to his very confused thoughts. Nobody at Hogwarts knew the truth of what had happened the night that Sirius, Buckbeak, and Pettigrew had vanished except Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore. As the end of term approached, Harry heard many different theories about what had really happened, but none of them came close to the truth. Malfoy was furious about Buckbeak. He was convinced that Hagrid had found a way of smuggling the hippogriff to safety, and seemed outraged that he and his father had been read more by a gamekeeper. Percy Weasley, meanwhile, had much to say on the subject of Siriuss escape. If I manage to get into the Ministry, Ill have a lot of proposals to make about Magical Law Enforcement. he told the only person who would listen - his girlfriend, Penelope. Though the weather was perfect, though the atmosphere was so cheerful, though he knew they had achieved the near impossible in helping Sirius to freedom, Harry had never approached the end of a school year in worse spirits. He certainly wasnt the only one who was sorry to see Professor Lupin go. The Harley mobile legends of Harrys Defense Against the Dark Arts class was miserable about his resignation. Wonder what theyll give us next year. said Seamus Finnigan gloomily. Maybe a vampire, suggested Dean Thomas hopefully. It wasnt only Professor Lupins departure that was weighing on Harrys mind. He couldnt help thinking a lot about Professor Trelawneys prediction. He kept wondering where Pettigrew was now, whether he had sought sanctuary with Voldemort yet. But the thing that was lowering Harrys spirits most of all was the prospect of returning to the Dursleys. For maybe half an hour, a glorious half hour, he had believed he would be living with Sirius from now on. his parents best friend. It would have been the next best thing to having his own father back. And while no news of Sirius was definitely good news, because it meant he had successfully gone into hiding, Harry couldnt help feeling miserable when he thought of the home he might have had, and the fact that it was now impossible. The exam results came out on the last day of term. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had passed every subject. Harry was amazed that he had got through Potions. He had a shrewd suspicion that Dumbledore might have stepped in to stop Snape failing him on purpose. Snapes behavior toward Harry over the past week had been quite alarming. Harry wouldnt have thought it possible that Snapes dislike for him could increase, but it certainly had. A muscle twitched unpleasantly at the corner of Snapes thin mouth every time he looked at Harry, and he was constantly flexing his fingers, as though itching to place are call of duty black ops cold war pc opinion around Harrys throat. Percy had got his top-grade N. s; Fred and George had scraped a handful of O. s each. Gryffindor House, meanwhile, largely thanks to their spectacular performance in the Quidditch Cup, had won the House Championship for the third year running. This meant that the end of term feast took place amid decorations of scarlet and gold, and that the Gryffindor table was the noisiest of the lot, as everybody celebrated. Even Harry managed to forget about the journey back to the Dursleys the next day as he ate, drank, talked, and laughed with the rest. As the Hogwarts Express pulled out of the station the next morning, Hermione gave Harry and Ron some surprising news. I went to see Professor McGonagall this morning, just before breakfast.
What do you wish to tell it?