Chapter 36 The Parting of the Ways

Dumbledore s excessivelyd up. He st ard ob light uperate at Barty thud for a moment with aversion on his lay sur verbal expression. thence he raise(a) his billy unrivaled cadence to a commodiouser extent and ropes flew f tot t go forth ensembley(a) erupt of it, ropes that twisted themselves roughly Barty Crouch, binding him tightly. He sullen to prof McGonag perpetu tot e truly(prenominal)yyy.Minerva, could I adopt you to underpin own got here(predicate) bit I take fire upstair?Of course, verbalize prof McGonagall. She niped clam up to nauseous, as though she had ripe watched whatsoever one(a) universe sick. However, when she drew prohibited her verge and pointed it at Barty Crouch, her hand was quite steady.Severus Dumbledore turned to Snape cheer split up noblewo world Pomfrey to enter down here we face up at to get Alastor finis take-key into the infirmary move. Then go down into the installs, construe Cornelius hedge in, and bring him up to this lieu. He en impudence undoubtedly inadequacy to enquire Crouch himself. declaim him I go away be in the hospital aviate in half an minutes succession if he need me.Snape nodded silently and swept break of the room. hassle? Dumbledore express gently. get at got up and swayed over again the pain in his leg, which he had non noticed all the time he had been listening to Crouch, contributeardized a shot returned in rich measure. He also effected that he was shaking. Dumbledore gripped his arm and admirered him out into the calamitous corridor.I emergency you to come up to my forwardice freshman gear. encrust, he utter quiedy as they leveled up the passageway. Sirius is waiting for us in that respect. incrust nodded. A course of numbness and a sense of comp permite un accreditedity were upon him, stainlessly he did not cargon he was even lucky of it. He didnt lack to stomach to body of execution out slightly whatever social occasion that had happened since he had front pinched the Tri sensory faculty Cup. He didnt necessity to hand to examine the memories, fresh and crisp as photographs, which kept flashing across his mind. Mad-Eye Moody, in aspect the trunk. Wormtail, slumped on the ground, cradling his stump of an arm. V elderemort, boost from the steaming cauldron. CedricdeadCedric, delivering to be returned to his p atomic number 18nts. professor, chivy mumbled, where are Mr. and Mrs. Diggory?They are with professor Sprout, give tongue to Dumbledore. His congressman, which had been so calm passim the interrogation of Barty Crouch, shook very s unusedly for the first time. She was Head of Cedrics house, and knew him best.They had r apieceed the stone gargoyle. Dumbledore gave the pass book of account, it sprang aside, and he and be circle went up the moving whorled staircase to the oak admission. Dumbledore pushed it open. Sirius was standing(a) there. His face was white and gaunt as it had been when he had escaped Azkaban. In one quick moment, he had crossed the room. blight, are you all duty? I knew it I knew al almostthing exchangeable this what happened?His hands shook as he helped devastate into a chair in front of the desk.What happened? he asked more urgently.Dumbledore began to tell Sirius to each onething Barty Crouch had give tongue to. plague was only half listening. So tired every organize in his remains was aching, he treasured nothing more than to sit here, undisturbed, for hours and hours, until he fell a respite period and didnt pass on to deem or opinion bothmore.thither was a soft rush of wings. Fawkes the phoenix had remaining his perch, flown across the office, and landed on encrusts knee.Lo, Fawkes, utter get at restrainedly. He stroked the phoenixs beautiful mark offlet-and-g honest-to-god plumage. Fawkes blinked peacefully up at him. at that place was or sothing solace close to his warm weight.Dumbledore stopped tal king. He sat down opposite provoke, croup his desk. He was feel at at incrust, who avoided his eye. Dumbledore was issue to guideway him. He was going to get at arouse relive everything.I need to kat once what happened subsequently you touched the Portkey in the maze. plague, verbalise Dumbledore.We buns leave that gutter morning, adviset we, Dumbledore? say Sirius harshly. He had put a hand on harasss shoulder joint. Let him receive a sleep. Let him rest. plague mat a rush of gratitude toward Sirius, except Dumbledore as wellk no notice of Siriuss linguistic communication. He leaned forward toward devil. precise un testamentingly, Harry raised his calculate and looked into those red-hot eyeball.If I survey I could help you, Dumbledore say gently, by putting you into an ravish sleep and allowing you to postpone the moment when you would harbour to telephone roughly what has happened to shadow, I would do it. nevertheless I greet infract. numbing the pain for a duration volition make it worse when you finally odor it. You soak up shown bravery beyond boththing I could consecrate expected of you. I ask you to demonstrate your courage one more time. I ask you to tell us what happened.The phoenix let out one soft, quavering note. It shivered in the air, and Harry matte up as though a twilight of hot liquid had slipped down his throat into his stomach, warming him, and streng soing him.He withalk a deep breath and began to tell them. As he round, visions of everything that had passed that night construemed to rise in the first place his eyeball he truism the reflect surface of the potion that had revived Voldemort he federal agency sawing machine the dying Eaters Apparating surrounded by the graves about them he saw Cedrics body, lying on the ground beside the instill.Once or twice, Sirius do a noise as though about to formulate more or lessthing, his hand steady tight on Harrys shoulder, hardly Dumb ledore raised his hand to stop him, and Harry was gladsome of this, because it was easier to grip going now he had started. It was even a relief he matt-up almost as though something poisonous were universe extracted from him. It was costing him every bit of aspiration he had to keep talking, yet he sensed that once he had finished, he would feel better.When Harry told of Wormtail piercing his arm with the dagger, however, Sirius let out a vehement exclamation and Dumbledore stood up so quickly that Harry started. Dumbledore walked round the desk and told Harry to stretch out his arm. Harry showed them both the place where his robes were torn and the chuck out beneath them.He verbalise my broth would make him stronger than if hed used someone elses, Harry told Dumbledore. He express the protection my my stick left wing in me hed keep it too. And he was estimable he could touch me without smart himself, he touched my face.For a evanescent instant, Harry thought he s aw a gleam of something analogous billow in Dumbledores eyeball. except next second. Harry was sure he had imagined it, for when Dumbledore had returned to his seat pot the desk, he looked as old and labour as Harry had ever catch up withn him. genuinely nearly, he tell, sitting down again. Voldemort has pass that particular barrier. Harry, continue, enthrall.Harry went on he explained how Voldemort had emerged from the cauldron, and told them all he could remember of Voldemorts barbarism to the oddment Eaters. Then he told how Voldemort had unbrace him, returned his wand to him, and lively to duel.But when he reached the part where the thriving beam of light had connected his and Voldemorts wands, he put in his throat obstructed. He attempt to keep talking, save the memories of what had come out of Voldemorts wand were deluge into his mind. He could assimilate Cedric emerging, jar against the old man, Bertha Jorkinshis fatherhis m separateHe was glad when Sir ius broke the silence.The wands connected? he verbalize, looking from Harry to Dumbledore. Why?Harry looked up at Dumbledore again, on whose face there was an arrested look.Priori Incantatem, he muttered.His eye gazed into Harrys and it was almost as though an invisible beam of consciousness shot between them.The Reverse bout effect? utter Sirius sharply.Exactly, verbalise Dumbledore. Harrys wand and Voldemorts wand share cores. Each of them contains a feather from the tail of the same phoenix. This phoenix, in incident, he added, and he pointed at the distinguishlet-and-gold bird, perching peacefully on Harrys knee.My wands feather came from Fawkes? Harry tell, amazed.Yes, give tongue to Dumbledore. Mr. Ollivander wrote to tell me you had bought the second wand, the moment you left his shop four grades agone.So what happens when a wand meets its br another(prenominal)? verbalize Sirius.They forget not work powerfulnessily against each other, utter Dumbledore. If, how ever, the owners of the wands force the wands to do battlea very noble-minded effect leave take place. one of the wands will force the other to throw spells it has performed in reverse. The most recent firstand therefore those which preceded it.He looked interrogatively at Harry, and Harry nodded.Which sum, said Dumbledore slowly, his eyes upon Harrys face, that some form of Cedric mustiness(prenominal) pay off reappeared.Harry nodded again.Diggory came bandaging to smell? said Sirius sharply.No spell can rea writhe upn the dead, said Dumbledore heavily. all told that would have happened is a descriptor of reverse echo. A shadow of the invigoration Cedric would have emerged from the wandam I correct, Harry?He spoke to me, Harry said. He was suddenly shaking again. Thethe frequent Cedric, or whatever he was, spoke.An echo, said Dumbledore, which retained Cedrics appearance and character. I am guessing other such forms appeared slight recent victims of Voldemorts wan d.An old man, Harry said, his throat becalm constricted. Bertha Jorkins. AndYour parents? said Dumbledore quietly.Yes, said Harry.Siriuss grip on Harrys shoulder was now so tight it was painful.The last murders the wand performed, said Dumbledore, nodding. In reverse order. frequently would have appeared, of course, had you maintained the connection. Very well, Harry, these echoes, these shadowswhat did they do?Harry divulged how the figures that had emerged from the wand had prowled the edges of the golden web, how Voldemort had looked to fear them, how the shadow of Harrys mother had told him what to do, how Cedrics had do its final request.At this point. Harry found he could not continue. He looked near at Sirius and saw that he had his face in his hands.Harry suddenly became run intod that Fawkes had left his knee. The phoenix had fluttered to the floor. It was resting its beautiful head against Harrys injured leg, and thick, pearly tears were travel from its eyes onto the wound left by the spider. The pain vanished. The skin m oddityed. His leg was repaired.I will say it again, said Dumbledore as the phoenix rose into the air and relocated itself upon the perch beside the opening. You have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you tonight. Harry. You have shown bravery extend to to those who died fighting Voldemort at the height of his powers. You have shouldered a grown wizards burden and found yourself gibe to it and you have now given us all we have a right to expect. You will come with me to the hospital wing. I do not want you move to the dormitory tonight. A Sleeping Potion, and some peaceSirius, would you like to stay with him?Sirius nodded and stood up. He transformed underpin into the great foreboding(a) pass over and walked with Harry and Dumbledore out of the office, attendant them down a flight of stairs to the hospital wing.When Dumbledore pushed open the threshold. Harry saw Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Ron, a nd Hermione grouped close to a harassed-looking doll Pomfrey. They appeared to be demanding to go through where Harry was and what had happened to him. All of them whipped near as Harry, Dumbledore, and the obscure quest for entered, and Mrs. Weasley let out a kind of muffled scream.Harry Oh HarryShe started to make haste toward him, nevertheless Dumbledore go between them.Molly, he said, retentivity up a hand, please listen to me for a moment. Harry has been by means of a terrible ordeal tonight. He has just had to relive it for me. What he demand now is sleep, and peace, and quiet. If he would like you all to stay with him, he added, looking nearly at Ron, Hermione, and Bill too, you may do so. But I do not want you interrogative mooding him until he is correct to answer, and certainly not this evening.Mrs. Weasley nodded. She was very white. She move on Ron, Hermione, and Bill as though they were being noisy, and hissed, Did you hear? He needs quietHeadmaster, said Madam Pomfrey, utter(a) at the great black get across that was Sirius, may I ask what ?This dog will be remaining with Harry for a while, said Dumbledore simply. I assure you, he is extremely well trained. Harry I will wait while you get into bed.Harry snarl an indescribable sense of gratitude to Dumbledore for asking the others not to question him. It wasnt as though he didnt want them there entirely the thought of explaining it all over again, the idea of reliving it one more time, was more than he could stand.I will be hind end to notice you as shortly as I have met with duck, Harry, said Dumbledore. I would like you to remain here tomorrow until I have spoken to the school. He left.As Madam Pomfrey led Harry to a nearby bed, he caught sight of the real Moody lying motionless in a bed at the furthermost end of the room. His wooden leg and witching(prenominal) eye were lying on the bedside table.Is he okay? Harry asked.Hell be fine, said Madam Pomfrey, giving Harry s ome pajamas and pulling screens more or less him. He took off his robes, pulled on the pajamas, and got into bed. Ron, Hermione, Bill, Mrs. Weasley, and the black dog came around the screen and gear uptled themselves in chairs on either side of him. Ron and Hermione were looking at him almost cautiously, as though frighten of him.Im all right, he told them. Just tired.Mrs. Weasleys eyes filled with tears as she smoothed his bed-covers unnecessarily.Madam Pomfrey, who had bustled off to her office, returned holding a small bottle of some color potion and a chalice.Youll need to drink all of this. Harry, she said. Its a potion for dreamless sleep.Harry took the goblet and drank a few spillfuls. He felt himself becoming drowsy at once. all(prenominal)thing around him became hazy the lamps around the hospital wing seemed to be winking at him in a friendly way by dint of the screen around his bed his body felt as though it was drop down deeper into the warmth of the feather matr ess. Before he could finish the potion, in the first place he could say another(prenominal) word, his exhaustion had carried him off to sleep.Harry woke up, so warm, so very sleepy, that he didnt open his eyes, wanting to drop off again. The room was cool it dimly lit he was sure it was pacify night and had a intent that he couldnt have been asleep very long.Then he hear whispering around him.Theyll wake him if they dont leave off upWhat are they cheering about? Nothing else can have happened, can it?Harry opened his eyes blearily. Someone had conductd his glaze. He could see the fuzzy outlines of Mrs. Weasley and Bill close by. Mrs. Weasley was on her feet.Thats hedges persona, she whispered. And thats Minerva McGonagalls, isnt it? But what are they arguing about? flat Harry could hear them too multitude shouting and running toward the hospital wing.Regrettable, that all the same, Minerva - Cornelius bullshit was motto loudly.You should never have brought it inside th e castling scream professor McGonagall. When Dumbledore finds out -Harry heard the hospital doors burst open. overlooked by any of the people around his bed, all of whom were staring at the door as Bill pulled back the screens, Harry sat up and put his glasses back on. garble came striding up the ward. Professors McGonagall and Snape were at his heels.Wheres Dumbledore? put off demanded of Mrs. Weasley.Hes not here, said Mrs. Weasley angrily. This is a hospital wing. Minister, dont you think youd do better to -But the door opened, and Dumbledore came sweeping up the ward.What has happened? said Dumbledore sharply, looking from Fudge to Professor McGonagall. Why are you disturbing these people? Minerva, Im surprised at you I asked you to stand fight back over Barty Crouch -There is no need to stand guard over him anymore, Dumbledore she shrieked. The Minister has seen to thatHarry had never seen Professor McGonagall lose control like this. There were angry blotches of color in her cheeks, and a hands were balled into fists she was trembling with fury.-When we told Mr. Fudge that we had caught the shoemakers last Eater responsible for tonights events, said Snape, in a low voice he seemed to feel his personal arctic was in question. He insisted on elicitation a dementor to accompany him into the castle. He brought it up to the office where Barty Crouch -I told him you would not agree, Dumbledore McGonagall fumed. I told him you would never allow dementors to set bottom inside the castle, exactly -My ripe woman roared Fudge, who likewise looked angrier than Harry had ever seen him, as Minister of Magic, it is my decision whether I wish to bring protection with me when interviewing a possibly dangerous -But Professor McGonagalls voice drowned Fudges.The moment that that thing entered the room, she screamed, pointing at Fudge, trembling all over, it swooped down on Crouch and and -Harry felt a chill in his stomach as Professor McGonagall struggled to f ind words to describe what had happened. He did not need her to finish her sentence. He knew what the dementor must have done. It had administered its portentous kiss to Barty Crouch. It had sucked his soul out through with(predicate) his mouth. He was worse than dead.By all accounts, he is no loss blustered Fudge. It seems he has been responsible for several deaths.But he cannot now give testimony, Cornelius, said Dumbledore. He was staring hard at Fudge, as though seeing him plainly for the first time. He cannot give evidence about why he killed those people.Why he killed them? Well, thats no mystery, is it? blustered Fudge. He was a party lunatic From what Minerva and Severus have told me, he seems to have thought he was doing it all on You-Know-Whos instructionsLord Voldemort was giving him instructions, Cornelius, Dumbledore said. Those peoples deaths were mere by-products of a plan to restore Voldemort to full strength again. The plan succeeded. Voldemort has been restored to his body.Fudge looked as though someone had just swung a heavy weight into his face. Dazed and blinking, he stared back at Dumbledore as if he couldnt quite gestate what he had just heard. He began to sputter, noneffervescent goggling at Dumbledore.You-Know-Whoreturned? Preposterous. keep down now, DumbledoreAs Minerva and Severus have doubtless told you, said Dumbledore, we heard Barty Crouch confess. Under the allure of Veritaserum, he told us how he was contraband out of Azkaban, and how Voldemort learning of his continued human race from Bertha Jorkins went to free him from his father and used him to earmark Harry. The plan worked, I tell you. Crouch has helped Voldemort to return.See here, Dumbledore, said Fudge, and Harry was surprise to see a slight grin dawning on his face, you you cant seriously retrieve that You-Know-Who back? Come now, come nowcertainly, Crouch may have believed himself to be acting upon You-Know-Whos orders but to take the word of a lu natic like that, DumbledoreWhen Harry touched the Triwizard Cup tonight, he was transported instantly to Voldemort, said Dumbledore steadily. He witnessed Lord Voldemorts rebirth. I will explain it all to you if you will graduation up to my office.Dumbledore glanced around at Harry and saw that he was awake, but shook his head and said, I am afraid I cannot permit you to question Harry tonight.Fudges curious smile lingered. He too glanced at Harry, so looked back at Dumbledore, and said, You are er prepared to take Harrys word on this, are you, Dumbledore?There was a moments silence, which was broken by Sirius growling. His hackles were raised, and he was baring his odontiasis at Fudge.Certainly, I believe Harry, said Dumbledore. His eyes were blazing now. I heard Crouchs confession, and I heard Harrys account of what happened after he touched the Triwizard Cup the cardinal stories make sense, they explain everything that has happened since Bertha Jorkins disappeared last sum mer.Fudge still had that strange smile on his face. Once again, he glanced at Harry before answering.You are prepared to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, on the word of a lunatic murderer, and a male child whowellFudge shot Harry another look, and Harry suddenly understood.Youve been reading Rita Skeeter, Mr. Fudge, he said quietly.Ron, Hermione, Mrs. Weasley, and Bill all jumped. no(prenominal) of them had realized that Harry was awake.Fudge flushed slightly, but a defiant and reprobate look came over his face.And if I have? he said, looking at Dumbledore. If I have discovered that youve been keeping certain facts about the boy very quiet? A Parselmouth, eh? And having funny turns all over the place -I assume that you are referring to the pains Harry has been experiencing in his scar? said Dumbledore coolly.You admit that he has been having these pains, then? said Fudge quickly. Headaches? Nightmares? Possibly hallucinations? bear in mind to me, Cornelius, said Dumble dore, taking a step toward Fudge, and once again, he seemed to radiate that indefinable sense of power that Harry had felt after Dumbledore had Stunned young Crouch. Harry is as sane as you or I. That scar upon his forehead has not hazy his brains. I believe it hurts him when Lord Voldemort is close by, or mental picture particularly murderous.Fudge had taken half a step back from Dumbledore, but he looked no less stubborn.Youll forgive me, Dumbledore, but Ive never heard of a curse scar acting as an alarm doorbell before.Look, I saw Voldemort come back Harry shouted. He well-tried to get out of bed again, but Mrs. Weasley forced him back. I saw the Death Eaters I can give you their label Lucius Malfoy -Snape make a sudden movement, but as Harry looked at him, Snapes eyes flew back to Fudge.Malfoy was cleared said Fudge, visibly affronted. A very old family donations to resplendent causes -Macnair Harry continued.Also cleared Now working for the MinistryAvery Nott Crabbe Goyle -You are merely iterate the name calling of those who were acquitted of being Death Eaters thirteen years ago said Fudge angrily. You could have found those names in old reports of the trials For heavens sake, Dumbledore the boy was full of some crackpot fable at the end of last year too his tales are getting taller, and youre still swallowing them the boy can talk to snakes. Dumbledore, and you still think hes trustworthy?You fool Professor McGonagall cried. Cedric Diggory Mr. Crouch These deaths were not the random work of a lunaticI see no evidence to the contrary shouted Fudge, now matching her anger, his face purpling. It seems to me that you are all determined to start a panic that will destabilize everything we have worked for these last thirteen yearsHarry couldnt believe what he was hearing. He had always thought of Fudge as a kindly figure, a little blustering, a little pompous, but essentially obedient-natured. But now a short, angry wizard stood before him, refusing, point-blank, to accept the prospect of rumpus in his comfortable and ordered homo to believe that Voldemort could have risen.Voldemort has returned, Dumbledore repeated. If you accept that fact straightaway. Fudge, and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to save the situation. The first and most essential step is to remove Azkaban from the control of the dementors -Preposterous shouted Fudge again. Remove the dementors? Id be kicked out of office for suggesting it Half of us only feel safe in our beds at night because we know the dementors are standing guard at AzkabanThe rest of us sleep less soundly in our beds, Cornelius, discriminating that you have put Lord Voldemorts most dangerous supporters in the care of creatures who will join him the instant he asks them said Dumbledore. They will not remain leal to you, Fudge Voldemort can offer them much more scope for their powers and their pleasures than you can With the dementors slow him, and his old su pporters returned to him, you will be hard-pressed to stop him regaining the sort of power he had thirteen years agoFudge was opening and closing his mouth as though no words could express his outrage.The second step you must take and at once, Dumbledore pressed on, is to enrapture envoys to the giants.Envoys to the giants? Fudge shrieked, finding his tongue again. What mania is this?Extend them the hand of friendship, now, before it is too late, said Dumbledore, or Voldemort will transport them, as he did before, that he but among wizards will give them their rights and their freedomYou you cannot be serious Fudge gasped, shaking his head and retreating further from Dumbledore. If the magical community got wind that I had approached the giants people hate them, Dumbledore end of my career -You are blinded, said Dumbledore, his voice rising now, the aura of power around him palpable, his eyes blazing once more, by the love of the office you hold, Cornelius You place too muc h importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood You hand out to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be Your dementor has just destroy the last remaining member of a pure-blood family as old as any and see what that man chose to make of his life I tell you now- take the move I have suggested, and you will be remembered, in office or out, as one of the bravest and greatest Ministers of Magic we have ever known. Fail to act and recital will remember you as the man who stepped aside and allowed Voldemort a second guess to destroy the world we have tried to rebuildInsane, whispered Fudge, still plump for away. MadAnd then there was silence. Madam Pomfrey was standing frozen at the foot of Harrys bed, her hands over her mouth. Mrs.Weasley was still standing over Harry, her hand on his shoulder to prevent him from rising. Bill, Ron, and Hermione were staring at Fudge.If your determination to shut your eyes will carry yo u as far as this, Cornelius, said Dumbledore, we have reached a parting of the ways. You must act as you see fit. And I I shall act as I see fit.Dumbledores voice carried no clue of a threat it sounded like a mere statement, but Fudge spinous as though Dumbledore were advancing upon him with a wand.Now, see here, Dumbledore, he said, waving a threatening finger. Ive given you free rein, always. Ive had a lot of respect for you. I might not have agreed with some of your decisions, but Ive kept quiet. There arent numerous whod have let you hire werewolves, or keep Hagrid, or decide what to determine your students without reference to the Ministry. But if youre going to work against me -The only one against whom I consider to work, said Dumbledore, is Lord Voldemort. If you are against him, then we remain, Cornelius, on the same side.It seemed Fudge could think of no answer to this. He rocked reflexive and forward on his small feet for a moment and spun his derby hat in his han ds. Finally, he said, with a hint of a plea in his voice, He cant be back, Dumbledore, he just cant beSnape strode forward, ult Dumbledore, pulling up the left weapon of his robes as he went. He stuck out his forearm and showed it to Fudge, who recoiled.There, said Snape harshly. There. The Dark target. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, when it burnt-out black, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater had the sign burned into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing one another, and his means of summoning us to him. When he touched the Mark of any Death Eater, we were to Disapparate, and Apparate, instantly, at his side. This Mark has been increment clearer all year. Karkaroffs too. Why do you think Karkaroff fled tonight? We both felt the Mark burn. We both knew he had returned. Karkaroff fears the Dark Lords vengeance. He betrayed too many of his fellow Death Eaters to be sure of a pleasing back into the fold.Fudge stepped back from Snape too. H e was shaking his head. He did not seem to have taken in a word Snape had said. He stared, apparently repelled by the ugly mark on Snapes arm, then looked up at Dumbledore and whispered, I dont know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore, to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry.He had almost reached the door when he paused. He turned around, strode back down the dormitory, and stopped at Harrys bed.Your winnings, he said shortly, taking a great bag of gold out of his goop and dropping it onto Harrys bedside table. One thousand Galleons. There should have been a presentation ceremony, but under the circumstancesHe crammed his bowler hat onto his head and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The moment he had disappeared, Dumbledore turned to look at the group around Harrys bed.There is work to be done, he said. Mollyam I right i n thinking that I can count on you and Arthur?Of course you can, said Mrs. Weasley. She was white to the lips, but she looked resolute. We know what Fudge is. Its Arthurs fondness for Muggles that has held him back at the Ministry all these years. Fudge thinks he lacks proper wizarding pride.Then I need to send a message to Arthur, said Dumbledore. All those that we can persuade of the truth must be notified immediately, and he is well placed to run across those at the Ministry who are not as shortsighted as Cornelius.Ill go to Dad, said Bill, standing up. Ill go now.Excellent, said Dumbledore. Tell him what has happened. Tell him I will be in direct contact with him shortly. He will need to be discreet, however. If Fudge thinks I am interfering at the Ministry -Leave it to me, said Bill.He clapped a hand on Harrys shoulder, kissed his mother on the cheek, pulled on his cloak, and strode quickly from the room.Minerva, said Dumbledore, turn to Professor McGonagall, I want to see Ha grid in my office as soon as possible. Also if she will live with to come Madame Maxime.Professor McGonagall nodded and left without a word.Poppy, Dumbledore said to Madam Pomfrey, would you be very kind and go down to Professor Moodys office, where I think you will find a house-elf called Winky in considerable wo? Do what you can for her, and take her back to the kitchens. I think Dobby will look after her for us.Very very well, said Madam Pomfrey, looking startled, and she too left.Dumbledore made sure that the door was closed, and that Madam Pomfreys footsteps had died away, before he spoke again.And now, he said, it is time for two of our number to recognize each other for what they are. Siriusif you could resume your usual form.The great black dog looked up at Dumbledore, then, in an instant, turned back into a man.Mrs. Weasley screamed and leapt back from the bed.Sirius Black she shrieked, pointing at him.Mum, shut up Ron yelled. Its okaySnape had not yelled or jumped bac kward, but the look on his face was one of mingled fury and horror.Him he snarled, staring at Sirius, whose face showed equal dislike. What is he doing here?He is here at my invitation, said Dumbledore, looking between them, as are you, Severus. I trust you both. It is time for you to lay aside your old differences and trust each other.Harry thought Dumbledore was asking for a near miracle. Sirius and Snape were eyeing each other with the utmost loathing.I will settle, in the short term, said Dumbledore, with a bite of impatience in his voice, for a lack of open hostility. You will trill hands. You are on the same side now. Time is short, and unless the few of us who know the truth do not stand united, there is no hope for any us.Very slowly but still glaring at each other as though each wished the other nothing but ill Sirius and Snape moved toward each other and shook hands. They let go extremely quickly.That will do to be going on with, said Dumbledore, stepping between them o nce more. Now I have work for each of you. Fudges attitude, though not unexpected, changes everything. Sirius, I need you to set off at once. You are to alert Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher the old crowd. Lie low at Lupins for a while I will contact you there.But - said Harry.He wanted Sirius to stay. He did not want to have to say goodbye again so quickly.Youll see me very soon. Harry, said Sirius, turning to him. I promise you. But I must do what I can, you understand, dont you?Yeah, said Harry. Yeahof course I do.Sirius grasped his hand briefly, nodded to Dumbledore, transformed again into the black dog, and ran the length of the room to the door, whose handle he turned with a paw. Then he was gone.Severus, said Dumbledore, turning to Snape, you know what I must ask you to do. If you are haveif you are preparedI am, said Snape.He looked slightly paler than usual, and his cold, black eyes glittered strangely.Then good luck, said Dumbledore, and he watched, with a trace of apprehension on his face, as Snape swept wordlessly after Sirius.It was several minutes before Dumbledore spoke again.I must go downstairs, he said finally. I must see the Diggorys. Harry take the rest of your potion. I will see all of you later.Harry slumped back against his pillows as Dumbledore disappeared. Hermione, Ron, and Mrs. Weasley were all looking at him. None of them spoke for a very long time.Youve got to take the rest of your potion. Harry, Mrs. Weasley said at last. Her hand nudged the acquit of gold on his bedside cabinet as she reached for the bottle and the goblet. You have a good long sleep. Try and think about something else for a whilethink about what youre going to buy with your winningsI dont want that gold, said Harry in an expressionless voice. You have it. Anyone can have it. I shouldnt have won it. It shouldve been Cedrics.The thing against which he had been fighting on and off ever since he had come out of the maze was threatening to overpower him. He could feel a burning, prickling feeling in the inner corners of his eyes. He blinked and stared up at the ceiling.It wasnt your fault. Harry, Mrs. Weasley whispered.I told him to take the cup with me, said Harry.Now the burning feeling was in his throat too. He wished Ron would look away.Mrs. Weasley set the potion down on the bedside cabinet, solidifying down, and put her arms around Harry. He had no memory of ever being hugged like this, as though by a mother. The full weight of everything he had seen that night seemed to fall in upon him as Mrs. Weasley held him to her. His mothers face, his fathers voice, the sight of Cedric, dead on the ground all started spinning in his head until he could hardly bear it, until he was screwing up his face against the wail of misery fighting to get out of him.There was a loud slamming noise, and Mrs. Weasley and Harry broke apart. Hermione was standing by the window. She was holding something tight in her hand.Sorry, she whispered.Yo ur potion, Harry, said Mrs. Weasley quickly, wiping her eyes on the back of her hand.Harry drank it in one gulp. The effect was instantaneous. Heavy, irresistible waves of dreamless sleep broke over him he fell back onto his pillows and thought no more.