Tactical planning
The sign creaked in the wind as they approached. All three of them hesitated outside the door. Well, come on, said Hermione slightly nervously. Harry led the way inside. It was not at all like the Three Broomsticks, whose large bar gave an impression of gleaming warmth and cleanliness. The Hogs Head bar comprised one small, dingy, and very dirty room that smelled strongly of something that might have been goats. The bay windows were so encrusted with grime Gta vice city free download for pc windows 10 steams little daylight could permeate the room, which was lit instead with the stubs of candles sitting on rough wooden tables. The floor seemed at first glance to be earthy, though as Harry stepped onto it he realized that there was stone beneath what seemed to be the accumulated filth of centuries. Harry remembered Hagrid mentioning this pub in his first year: Yeh get a lot o funny folk in the Hogs Head, he had said, explaining how he had won a dragons egg from a hooded stranger there. At the time Harry had wondered why Hagrid had not found it odd that the stranger kept his face hidden throughout their encounter; now he saw that keeping your face hidden was something of a fashion in the Hogs Head. There was a man at the bar whose whole head was wrapped in dirty gray bandages, though he was still managing to gulp endless glasses of some smoking, fiery substance through a slit over his mouth. Two figures shrouded in hoods sat at a table in one of the windows; Harry might have thought them dementors if they had not been talking in strong Yorkshire accents; in a shadowy corner beside the fireplace sat a witch with a thick, black veil that fell to her toes. They could just see the tip of her nose because it caused the veil to protrude slightly. I dont know about this, Hermione, Harry muttered, as they crossed to the bar. He was looking particularly at the heavily veiled witch. Has it occurred to you Umbridge might be under that. Hermione cast an appraising eye at the veiled figure. Umbridge is shorter than that woman, she said quietly. And anyway, even if Umbridge does come in here theres nothing she can do to stop us, Click, because Ive double- and triple-checked the school rules. Were not out-of-bounds; I specifically asked Professor Flitwick whether students were allowed to come in the Hogs Head, and he said yes, but he advised me strongly to bring our own glasses. And Ive looked up everything I can think of about study groups and homework groups and theyre definitely allowed. I just dont think its a good idea if we parade what were doing. No, said Harry dryly, especially as its not exactly a homework group youre planning, is it. The barman sidled toward them out of a back room. He was a grumpylooking old man with a great deal of long gray hair and beard. He was tall and thin and looked vaguely familiar to Harry. What. he grunted. Three butterbeers, please, said Hermione. The man reached beneath the counter and pulled up three very dusty, very dirty bottles, which he slammed on the bar. Six Sickles, he said. Ill get them, said Harry quickly, passing over the silver. The barmans eyes traveled over Harry, resting for a fraction of a second on his scar. Then he turned away and deposited Harrys money in an ancient wooden till whose drawer slid open automatically to receive it. Harry, Ron, and Hermione retreated to the farthest table from the bar and sat down, looking around, while the man in the dirty gray bandages rapped the counter with his knuckles and received another smoking drink from the barman. You know what. Ron murmured, looking over at the bar with enthusiasm. We could order anything we liked in here, I bet that bloke would sell us anything, he wouldnt care. Ive always wanted to try firewhisky - You - are - a - prefect, snarled Hermione. Oh, said Ron, the smile fading from his face. Yeah. So who did you say is supposed to be meeting us. Harry asked, wrenching open the rusty top of his butterbeer and taking a swig. Just a couple of people, Hermione repeated, checking her watch and then looking anxiously toward the door. I told them to be here about now and Im sure they all know where it is - oh look, this might be them now - The door of the pub had opened. A thick band of dusty sunlight split the room in two for a moment and then vanished, blocked by the incoming rush of a crowd of people. First came Neville with Dean and Lavender, who were closely followed by Parvati and Padma Patil with (Harrys stomach did a back flip) Cho and one of her usually giggling girlfriends, then (on her own and looking so dreamy that she might have walked in by accident) Luna Lovegood; then Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet, and Angelina Johnson, Colin and Dennis Creevey, Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbott, and a Hufflepuff girl with a long plait down her back whose name Harry did not know; three Ravenclaw boys he was pretty sure were called Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner, and Terry Boot; Ginny, followed by a tall skinny blond boy with an upturned nose whom Harry recognized vaguely as being a member of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, and bringing up the rear, Fred and George Weasley with their friend Lee Jordan, all three of whom were carrying large paper bags crammed with Zonkos merchandise. A couple of people. said Harry hoarsely to Hermione. A couple of people. Yes, well, the idea seemed quite popular, said Hermione happily. Ron, do you want to pull up some more chairs. The barman had frozen in the act of wiping out a glass with a rag so filthy it looked as though it had never been washed. Possibly he had never seen his pub so full. Hi, said Fred, reaching the bar first and counting his companions quickly. Could we have. twenty-five butterbeers, please. The barman glared at him for a moment, then, throwing down his rag irritably as though he had been interrupted in something very important, he started passing up dusty butterbeers from under the bar. Cheers, said Fred, handing them out. Cough up, everyone, I havent got enough gold for all of these. Harry watched numbly as the large chattering group took their Gta vice city free download for pc windows 10 from Fred and rummaged in their robes to find coins. He could not imagine what all these people had turned up for until the horrible thought occurred to him that they might be expecting some kind of speech, at which he rounded on Hermione. What have you been telling people. he said in a low voice. What are they expecting. Ive told you, they just want to hear what youve got to say, said Hermione soothingly; but Harry continued to look at her so furiously that she added quickly, You dont have to do anything yet, Ill speak to them first. Hi, Harry, Gta vice city free download for pc windows 10 Neville, beaming and taking a seat opposite Harry. Harry tried to smile back, but did not speak; his mouth was exceptionally dry. Cho had just smiled at him and sat down on Rons right. Her friend, who had curly reddish-blonde hair, did not smile, but gave Harry a thoroughly mistrustful look that told Harry plainly that, given her way, she would not be here at all. In twos and threes the new arrivals settled around Harry, Ron, and Hermione, some looking rather excited, others curious, Luna Lovegood gazing dreamily into space. When everybody had pulled up a chair, the chatter died out. Every eye was upon Harry. Er, said Hermione, her voice slightly higher than usual out of nerves. Well - er - hi. The group focused its attention on her instead, though eyes continued to dart back regularly to Harry. Well. erm. well, you know why youre here. Erm. well, Harry here had the idea - I mean - Harry had thrown her a sharp look - I had the idea - that it might be good if people who wanted to study Defense Against the Dark Arts - and I mean, really study it, you know, not the rubbish that Umbridge is doing with us - (Hermiones voice became suddenly much stronger and more confident) - because nobody could call that Defense Against the Dark Arts - Hear, hear, said Anthony Goldstein, and Hermione looked heartened - well, I thought it would be good if we, well, took matters into our own hands. She paused, looked sideways at Harry, and went on, And by that I mean learning how to defend ourselves properly, not just theory but the real spells - You want to pass your Defense Against the Dark Arts O. too though, I bet. said Michael Corner. Of course I do, said Hermione at once. But I want more than that, I want to be properly trained in Defense because. because. She took a great breath and finished, Because Lord Voldemorts back. The reaction was immediate and predictable. Chos friend shrieked and slopped butterbeer down herself, Terry Boot gave a kind of involuntary twitch, Padma Patil shuddered, and Neville gave an odd yelp that he managed to turn into a cough. All of them, however, looked fixedly, even eagerly, at Harry. Well. thats the plan anyway, said Hermione. If you want to join us, we need to decide how were going to - Wheres the proof You-Know-Whos back. said the blond Hufflepuff player in a rather aggressive voice. Well, Dumbledore believes it - Hermione began. You mean, Dumbledore believes him, said the blond boy, nodding at Harry. Who are you. said Ron rather rudely. Zacharias Smith, said the boy, and I think weve got the right to know exactly what makes him say You-Know-Whos back. Look, said Hermione, intervening swiftly, thats really not what this meeting was supposed to be about - Its okay, Hermione, said Harry. It had just dawned upon him why there were so many people there. He felt that Hermione should have seen this coming. Some of these people - maybe even most of them - had turned up in the hope of hearing Harrys story firsthand. What makes me say You-Know-Whos back. he asked, looking Zacharias straight in the face. I saw him. But Dumbledore told the whole school what happened last year, and if you didnt believe him, you dont believe me, and Im not wasting an afternoon trying to convince anyone. The whole group seemed to have held its breath while Harry spoke. Harry had the impression that even the barman was listening in. He was wiping the same glass with the filthy rag; it was becoming steadily dirtier. Zacharias said dismissively, All Dumbledore told us last year was that Cedric Diggory got killed by You-Know-Who and that you brought Diggorys body back to Hogwarts. He didnt give us details, he didnt tell us exactly how Diggory got murdered, I think wed all like to know - If youve come to hear exactly what it looks like when Voldemort murders someone I cant help you, Harry said. His temper, always so close to the surface these days, was rising again. He did not take his eyes from Zacharias Smiths aggressive face, determined not to look at Cho. I dont want to talk about Cedric Diggory, all right. So if thats what youre here for, you might as well clear out. He cast an angry look in Hermiones direction. This was, he felt, all her fault; she had decided to display him like some sort of freak and of course they had all turned up to see just how wild his story was. But none of them left their seats, not even Zacharias Smith, though he continued to gaze intently at Harry. So, said Hermione, her voice very high-pitched again. So. like I was saying. if you want to learn some defense, then we need to work out how were going to do it, how often were going to meet, and where were going to - Is it true, interrupted the girl with the long plait down her back, looking at Harry, that you can produce a Patronus. There was a murmur of interest around the group at this. Yeah, said Harry slightly defensively. A corporeal Patronus. The phrase stirred something in Harrys memory. Er - you dont know Madam Bones, do you. he asked. The girl smiled. Shes my auntie, she said. Im Susan Bones. She told me about your hearing. So - is it really true. You make a stag Patronus. Yes, said Harry. Blimey, Harry. said Lee, looking deeply impressed. I never knew that. Mum told Ron not to spread it around, said Fred, grinning at Harry. She said you got enough attention as it was. Shes not wrong, mumbled Harry and a couple of people laughed. The veiled witch sitting alone shifted very slightly in her seat. And did you kill a basilisk with that sword in Dumbledores office. demanded Smart strategy Boot. Thats what one of the portraits on the wall told me when I was in there last year. Er - yeah, I did, yeah, said Harry. Justin Finch-Fletchley whistled, the Creevey brothers exchanged awestruck looks, and Lavender Brown said wow softly. Harry was feeling slightly hot around the collar now; he was determinedly looking anywhere but at Cho. And in our first year, said Neville to the group at large, he saved that Sorcerous Stone - Sorcerers, hissed Hermione. Yes, that, from You-Know-Who, finished Neville. Hannah Abbotts eyes were as round as Galleons.
He was always a bad liar. Reckon somethings up. Think we should do a bit of digging. Disgraced Ex-Head of Crusader kings iii ps5 Games and Sports, Ludo Bagman. Snappy start to a sentence, Bozo - we just need to find a story to kins it - Trying to ruin someone elses life. said Harry loudly. This web page few people looked around. Rita Skeeters eyes widened behind her jeweled spectacles as she saw who had spoken. Harry. she said, beaming. How lovely. Why dont you come and join -. I wouldnt come near you with a ten-foot broomstick, said Harry furiously. What did you do that to Hagrid for, eh. Rita Skeeter raised her heavily penciled eyebrows. Our readers have a right to the truth, Harry. I am merely doing my - Who cares if hes half-giant. Harry shouted. Theres nothing wrong with him. The whole pub had gone very quiet. Madam Rosmerta was staring over from behind the bar, apparently oblivious to the fact that the flagon she was filling with mead was overflowing. Rita Skeeters smile flickered very slightly, but she hitched it Crusadr almost at once; she snapped open her crocodile-skin handbag, pulled out her QuickQuotes Quill, and said, How about giving kinys an interview about the Crusader kings iii ps5 you know, Harry. The man behind the muscles. Your unlikely friendship and the reasons behind it. Would you call him a father substitute. Hermione stood up very abruptly, her butterbeer clutched in her hand as though it were a grenade. You horrible woman, she said, through gritted teeth, you dont care, do you, anything for a story, and anyone will do, wont they. Even Ludo Bagman - Sit down, you silly little girl, and dont talk about things you dont understand, said Rita Skeeter coldly, her eyes hardening as they fell on Hermione. I know things about Ludo Bagman that would make your hair curl. not that it needs it - she added, eyeing Hermiones bushy hair. Lets go, said Hermione, cmon, Harry - Ron. They left; many people were staring at them as they went. Harry glanced back iil they reached the door. Rita Skeeters Quick-Quotes Quill was out; it iik zooming backward and forward over a piece of parchment jii the table. Shell be after you next, Hermione, Crusader kings iii ps5 Ron in a low and worried voice as they walked quickly back up valuable bgmi uptodown opinion street. Let her try. said Hermione defiantly; she click shaking with rage. Ill kihgs her. Silly little girl, am I. Oh, Ill get her back for this. First Harry, then Hagrid. You dont want to go upsetting Rita Skeeter, said Ron nervously. Im serious, Hermione, shell dig up something on you - My parents klngs read the Daily Prophet. She cant scare me into hiding. said Hermione, now striding along so fast that it was all Harry and Ron could do to keep up with her. The last time Harry had seen Hermione Crsader a rage Crusader kings iii ps5 this, she had hit Draco Malfoy around the face. Pps5 Hagrid isnt Crusader kings iii ps5 anymore. He should never have let that excuse iiii a human being upset him. Come on. Breaking into a run, she led them all the way back up the road, through the gates flanked by winged boars, and up through the grounds to Hagrids cabin. The curtains were still drawn, and they could hear Fang barking as they approached. Hagrid. Hermione shouted, pounding on his front door. Hagrid, thats enough. We know youre in there. Nobody cares if your mum was a giantess, Hagrid. You cant let that foul Skeeter woman do this to you. Hagrid, get out here, youre just being - The door opened. Hermione said, About t -. and then stopped, very suddenly, because she had found herself face-to-face, not with Hagrid, but with Albus Dumbledore. Good afternoon, he said pleasantly, smiling down at them. We - er - we ls5 to see Hagrid, said Hermione in a rather small Crusader kings iii ps5. Yes, I kungs as much, said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. Why dont you come in. Oh. um. okay, said Hermione. She, Ron, and Harry went into the cabin; Crusadr launched himself upon Harry the moment he entered, barking madly and trying to lick his ears. Harry fended off Fang and looked around. Hagrid was sitting at his table, where there were two large mugs of tea. He looked a real mess. His face was blotchy, his eyes swollen, and he Crusaddr gone to the other extreme where his hair was concerned; far from trying to make it behave, it now looked like a wig of tangled wire.
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