Harry Potter 04 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Our Fellow Magical Creatures and Campaign for a Change in Their Legal Status – but it wouldn’t fit. So that’s the heading of our manifesto.’
    She brandished the sheaf of parchment at them. ‘I’ve been researching it thoroughly in the library. Elf enslavement goes back centuries. I can’t believe no one’s done anything about it before now.’
    ‘Hermione – open your ears,’ said Ron loudly. ‘They. Like. It. They like being enslaved!’
    ‘Our short-term aims,’ said Hermione, speaking even more loudly than Ron, and acting as though she hadn’t heard a word, ‘are to secure house-elves fair wages and working conditions. Our long-term aims include changing the law about non-wand-use, and trying to get an elf into the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, because they’re shockingly under-represented.’
    ‘And how do we do all this?’ Harry asked.
    ‘We start by recruiting members,’ said Hermione happily. ‘I thought two Sickles to join – that buys a badge – and the proceeds can fund our leaflet campaign. You’re treasurer, Ron – I’ve got you a collecting tin upstairs – and Harry, you’re secretary, so you might want to write down everything I’m saying now, as a record of our first meeting.’
    There was a pause in which Hermione beamed at the pair of them, and Harry sat, torn between exasperation at Hermione, and amusement at the look on Ron’s face. The silence was broken, not by Ron, who in any case looked as though he was temporarily dumbstruck, but by a soft tap, tap on the window. Harry looked across the now empty common room, and saw, illuminated by the moonlight, a snowy owl perched on the window-sill.
    ‘Hedwig!’ he shouted, and he launched himself out of his chair and across the room to pull open the window.
    Hedwig flew inside, soared across the room and landed on the table on top of Harry’s predictions.
    ‘About time!’ said Harry, hurrying after her.
    ‘She’s got an answer!’ said Ron excitedly, pointing at the grubby piece of parchment tied to Hedwig’s leg.
    Harry hastily untied it and sat down to read it, whereupon Hedwig fluttered onto his knee, hooting softly.
    ‘What does it say?’ Hermione asked breathlessly.
    The letter was very short, and looked as though it had been scrawled in a great hurry. Harry read it aloud:
     
    Harry –
    I’m flying north immediately. This news about your scar is the latest in a series of strange rumours that have reached me here. If it hurts again, go straight to Dumbledore – they’re saying he’s got Mad-Eye out of retirement, which means he’s reading the signs, even if no one else is.
    I’ll be in touch soon. My best to Ron and Hermione. Keep your eyes open, Harry.
    Sirius
     
    Harry looked up at Ron and Hermione, who stared back at him.
    ‘He’s flying north?’ Hermione whispered. ‘He’s coming back ?’
    ‘Dumbledore’s reading what signs?’ said Ron, looking perplexed. ‘Harry – what’s up?’
    For Harry had just hit himself in the forehead with his fist, jolting Hedwig out of his lap.
    ‘I shouldn’t’ve told him!’ Harry said furiously.
    ‘What are you on about?’ said Ron, in surprise.
    ‘It’s made him think he’s got to come back!’ said Harry, now slamming his fist on the table so that Hedwig landed on the back of Ron’s chair, hooting indignantly. ‘Coming back, because he thinks I’m in trouble! And there’s nothing wrong with me! And I haven’t got anything for you,’ Harry snapped at Hedwig, who was clicking her beak expectantly, ‘you’ll have to go up to the Owlery if you want food.’
    Hedwig gave him an extremely offended look and took off for the open window, cuffing him around the head with her outstretched wing as she went.
    ‘Harry,’ Hermione began, in a pacifying sort of voice.
    ‘I’m going to bed,’ said Harry shortly. ‘See you in the morning.’
    Upstairs in the dormitory he pulled on his pyjamas and got into his four-poster, but he didn’t feel remotely tired.
    If Sirius came back and got caught, it would be his, Harry’s, fault. Why hadn’t he kept his mouth shut? A few seconds’ pain and he’d had to blab … if he’d just had the sense to keep it to himself …
    He heard Ron come up into the dormitory a short while later, but did not speak to him. For a long time, Harry lay staring up at the dark canopy of his bed. The dormitory was completely silent, and, had he been less preoccupied, Harry would have