Harry Potter 06 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

–’
    ‘It was the Fat Lady who drank a vat of five-hundred-year-old wine, Harry, not me. So what was this important news you wanted to tell me?’
    She looked too fierce to argue with at that moment, so Harry dropped the subject of Ron and recounted all that he had overheard between Malfoy and Snape.
    When he had finished, Hermione sat in thought for a moment and then said, ‘Don’t you think –?’
    ‘– he was pretending to offer help so that he could trick Malfoy into telling him what he’s doing?’
    ‘Well, yes,’ said Hermione.
    ‘Ron’s dad and Lupin think so,’ Harry said grudgingly. ‘But this definitely proves Malfoy’s planning something, you can’t deny that.’
    ‘No, I can’t,’ she answered slowly.
    ‘And he’s acting on Voldemort’s orders, just like I said!’
    ‘Hmm … did either of them actually mention Voldemort’s name?’
    Harry frowned, trying to remember.
    ‘I’m not sure … Snape definitely said “your master”, and who else would that be?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ said Hermione, biting her lip. ‘Maybe his father?’
    She stared across the room, apparently lost in thought, not even noticing Lavender tickling Ron. ‘How’s Lupin?’
    ‘Not great,’ said Harry, and he told her all about Lupin’s mission among the werewolves and the difficulties he was facing. ‘Have you heard of this Fenrir Greyback?’
    ‘Yes, I have!’ said Hermione, sounding startled. ‘And so have you, Harry!’
    ‘When, History of Magic? You know full well I never listened …’
    ‘No, no, not History of Magic – Malfoy threatened Borgin with him!’ said Hermione. ‘Back in Knockturn Alley, don’t you remember? He told Borgin that Greyback was an old family friend and that he’d be checking up on Borgin’s progress!’
    Harry gaped at her. ‘I forgot! But this proves Malfoy’s a Death Eater, how else could he be in contact with Greyback and telling him what to do?’
    ‘It is pretty suspicious,’ breathed Hermione. ‘Unless …’
    ‘Oh, come on,’ said Harry in exasperation, ‘you can’t get round this one!’
    ‘Well … there is the possibility it was an empty threat.’
    ‘You’re unbelievable, you are,’ said Harry, shaking his head. ‘We’ll see who’s right … you’ll be eating your words, Hermione, just like the Ministry. Oh yeah, I had a row with Rufus Scrimgeour as well …’
    And the rest of the evening passed amicably with both of them abusing the Minister for Magic, for Hermione, like Ron, thought that after all the Ministry had put Harry through the previous year, they had a great nerve asking him for help now.
    The new term started next morning with a pleasant surprise for the sixth-years: a large sign had been pinned to the common-room noticeboards overnight.
     
    APPARITION LESSONS
     
    If you are seventeen years of age, or will turn seventeen on or before 31st August, you are eligible for a twelve-week course of Apparition Lessons from a Ministry of Magic Apparition Instructor.
    Please sign below if you would like to participate.
    Cost: 12 Galleons.
     
    Harry and Ron joined the crowd that was jostling around the notice and taking it in turns to write their names underneath. Ron was just taking out his quill to sign after Hermione when Lavender crept up behind him, slipped her hands over his eyes and trilled, ‘Guess who, Won-Won?’ Harry turned to see Hermione stalking off; he caught up with her, having no wish to stay behind with Ron and Lavender, but to his surprise, Ron caught them up only a little way beyond the portrait hole, his ears bright red and his expression disgruntled. Without a word, Hermione sped up to walk with Neville.
    ‘So – Apparition,’ said Ron, his tone making it perfectly plain that Harry was not to mention what had just happened. ‘Should be a laugh, eh?’
    ‘I dunno,’ said Harry. ‘Maybe it’s better when you do it yourself, I didn’t enjoy it much when Dumbledore took me along for the ride.’
    ‘I forgot you’d already done it … I’d better pass my test first time,’ said Ron, looking anxious. ‘Fred and George did.’
    ‘Charlie failed, though, didn’t he?’
    ‘Yeah, but Charlie’s bigger than me,’ Ron held his arms out from his body as though he were a gorilla, ‘so Fred and George didn’t go on about it much … not to his face, anyway …’
    ‘When can we take the actual test?’
    ‘Soon as we’re seventeen. That’s only March for me!’
    ‘Yeah, but you wouldn’t be