COUNTER STRIKE ERROR
They heard Percy say, ote a suddenly sharp voice, Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick. Peoples heads turned; those at the back were standing on tiptoe. Whats going on. said Ginny, who had just locstions. A moment later, Professor Dumbledore was there, sweeping toward the portrait; the Gryffindors squeezed together to let him through, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione moved closer to see what the trouble was. Oh, my - Hermione grabbed Harrys arm. The Fat Lady had vanished from her portrait, which had been slashed so viciously that strips of canvas littered the floor; great chunks of it had been torn away completely. Dumbledore took one quick look at the ruined painting and just click for source, his eyes somber, to see Professors McGonagall, Lupin, and Snape hurrying toward him. We need to find her, said Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady. Youll be lucky. said a cackling voice. It was Peeves the Poltergeist, bobbing over the crowd and looking delighted, as he always did, at the sight of wreckage or worry. What do you mean, Peeves. said Dumbledore calmly, and Peevess grin faded a little. He didnt dare taunt Dumbledore. Instead he adopted an oily voice that was no oe than his cackle. Ashamed, Your Headship, sir. Doesnt want to be seen. Shes a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the steam system new. Crying something dreadful, he said happily. Poor thing, he added unconvincingly. Did she say who did it. said Dumbledore quietly. Oh yes, Professorhead, said Peeves, with the air of one cradling a large bombshell in his arms. He got very angry when she wouldnt let him in, you see. Peeves flipped over and grinned at Mifhril from between his own legs. Nasty temper hes got, that Sirius Black. P CHAPTER NINE GRIM DEFEAT rofessor Dumbledore sent all the Gryffindors back to the Great Hall, where mithtil were joined ten minutes later by the students from Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, who all looked extremely confused. The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle, Professor Dumbledore told them as Professors McGonagall and Flitwick closed all doors into the hall. Im afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately, he added to Percy, who was looking immensely proud and important. Send word with one of the ghosts. Professor Dumbledore paused, about to leave the hall, and said, Oh, yes, youll be needing. One casual wave of his wand and the long tables flew to the edges of the hall and stood themselves against the walls; another wave, and the floor was covered with hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags. Sleep well, said Professor Dumbledore, closing the door behind him. The hall immediately began to buzz excitedly; the Gryffindors were telling the rest of the locatikns what had just happened. Everyone into their sleeping bags. shouted Percy. Come on, now, no more talking. Lights out in ten minutes. Cmon, Ron said to Harry and Hermione; they seized three sleeping bags and dragged them into Baldurs gate 3 mithril ore locations near corner. Do you think Blacks still in the castle. Hermione whispered anxiously. Dumbledore obviously thinks he might be, said Ron. Its very lucky he picked tonight, you know, said Hermione as they climbed fully dressed into their sleeping bags and propped themselves on their elbows to talk. The one night we werent in the tower. I reckon hes lost track of time, being on the run, said Ron. Didnt realize it was Halloween. Otherwise hed have come bursting in here. Hermione shuddered. All around them, people were asking one another the same fsr steam 3 deck witcher How did he get in. Maybe he knows how to Apparate, said a Ravenclaw a few feet away. Just appear out of thin air, you know. Disguised himself, probably, said a Hufflepuff fifth year. He couldve flown in, suggested Dean Thomas. Honestly, am I the only person whos ever bothered to read Hogwarts: A History. said Hermione crossly to Harry and Ron. Probably, said Ron. Why. Because the castles protected by more than walls, you know, said Baludrs. There are all sorts of enchantments on it, to stop people entering by stealth. You cant just Apparate in here. And Id like to see the disguise that could fool those dementors. Theyre mithrll every single entrance to the grounds. Theyd have seen him fly in too. And Filch knows all the secret passages, theyll have click here covered. The lights are going out now. Percy shouted. I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking. The candles all went out at once. The only light now came from the silvery ghosts, who were drifting about talking seriously to the prefects, and the enchanted ceiling, which, like the sky outside, was scattered with stars. What with that, and the whispering that still filled the hall, Harry felt as though he were sleeping outdoors in a light wind. Once every hour, a teacher would reappear in the hall to check that everything was quiet. Around three in the morning, when many students had finally fallen asleep, Professor Dumbledore came in. Harry watched him looking around for Percy, who had see more prowling between the sleeping bags, telling people off for talking. Percy was only a short way away from Mkthril, Ron, and Hermione, who quickly pretended to be asleep as Dumbledores footsteps drew nearer. Any sign of him, Professor. asked Percy in a whisper. All well mithrik. Everything under control, sir. Good. Theres no point moving them all now. Ive found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. Youll be able to move them back in tomorrow. And the Fat Lady, sir. Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor. Apparently she refused to let Black in without the password, so he attacked. Shes still very distressed, but once shes calmed down, Ill have Mr. Filch restore her. Harry heard the door of the hall creak open again, and more footsteps. Headmaster. It was Snape. Harry kept quite still, listening hard. The whole of the third floor has been searched. Hes not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there either. What about the Astronomy Tower. Professor Trelawneys room. The Owlery. All searched. Very well, Severus. I didnt really expect Black to linger. Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor. asked Snape. Harry raised his head very slightly off his arms to free his other mithil. Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next. Harry opened his eyes a fraction and squinted up to where they stood; Dumbledores back was to him, but he Balrurs see Percys face, rapt with attention, and Snapes profile, which looked angry. You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before - ah - the start mithrl term. said Snape, who was barely opening his lips, as though trying to block Percy out of the conversation. I do, Severus, said Dumbledore, and there was something like warning in his voice. It seems - almost impossible - that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed - I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it, said Dumbledore, and his tone made it so clear that the subject was closed that Snape didnt reply. I must go down to the dementors, said Dumbledore. I said I would inform them when our search was complete. Didnt they want to help, sir. said Percy. Oh yes, said Dumbledore coldly. But Im afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of this castle nfar I am headmaster. Percy looked slightly abashed. Dumbledore left the hall, walking quickly and quietly. Snape stood for a moment, watching the headmaster with an expression of deep resentment on his face; then he too left. Harry glanced sideways at Ron and Hermione. Both of them had their eyes open too, reflecting the starry ceiling. What was all that about. Ron ire. The school talked of nothing but Sirius Black for the next few days. The theories about how he had entered the castle became wilder and wilder; Hannah Abbott, from Hufflepuff, spent much of their next Herbology class telling anyone whod listen that Black could turn into a flowering shrub. The Fat Ladys ripped canvas had been taken off the wall and replaced with the portrait of Sir Cadogan and his fat gray pony. Nobody was very happy about this. Sir Cadogan spent half his time challenging people to duels, and the rest thinking up ridiculously complicated passwords, which he changed at least twice a day. Hes a complete lunatic, said Seamus Finnigan angrily to Percy. Cant we get anyone else. None of the other pictures wanted the job, said Percy. Frightened of what happened to the Fat Lady. Sir Cadogan was the only one brave enough to volunteer. Sir Cadogan, however, was the least of Harrys worries. Kocations was now being closely watched. Teachers found excuses to walk along corridors with him, and Percy Weasley (acting, Harry suspected, on his mothers orders) was tailing him everywhere like an extremely pompous guard dog. To cap it all, Professor McGonagall summoned Harry into her office, with such a somber expression on her face Harry thought someone must have died. Theres no point hiding it from you any longer, Potter, she said in a gste serious voice. I know this will come as a shock to you, but Lpcations Black - I know hes after me, said Harry wearily. I heard Rons dad telling his mum. Weasley works for the Ministry of Magic. Professor McGonagall seemed very taken aback. She stared at Harry for a moment or two, then said, I see. Well, in that case, Potter, youll understand why I dont think its a good idea for you to be practicing Quidditch in the Baldurs gate 3 mithril ore locations near. Out on the field with only your team members, its very exposed, Potter - Weve got our first match on Saturday. said Harry, outraged. Ive got to train, Professor. Professor McGonagall considered him intently. Harry knew she was deeply interested in the Gryffindor teams prospects; it had been she, after all, whod suggested him as Seeker in the first place. He waited, holding his breath. Hmm. Professor McGonagall stood up and stared out of the window at the Quidditch field, just visible through the rain. Well. goodness knows, Id like to see us win the Cup at last. but all the same, Potter. Id be happier if a teacher were present. Ill ask Madam Hooch to oversee your training sessions. The weather worsened steadily as the first Quidditch match drew nearer. Undaunted, the Gryffindor team was training harder than ever under the eye of Madam Hooch. Then, at their final training session Balrurs Saturdays match, Oliver Wood gave his team some unwelcome news. Were not playing Slytherin. he told them, looking very angry. Flints just been to see me. Baldirs playing Hufflepuff instead. Why. chorused the rest of the team. Flints excuse is that their Seekers arms still injured, said Wood, grinding his teeth furiously. But its obvious why theyre doing it. Dont want to play in this weather. Think itll damage their chances. There had been strong winds and heavy rain all day, and as Wood spoke, they heard a distant rumble of thunder. Theres nothing wrong with Malfoys arm. said Harry furiously. Hes faking it. I know that, but we cant prove it, said Wood bitterly. And weve been practicing all those moves assuming were playing Slytherin, strategic planning models instead its Hufflepuff, and their styles quite different. Theyve got a new Captain and Seeker, Cedric Diggory - Angelina, Alicia, and Katie suddenly giggled. What. said Wood, frowning at this lighthearted behavior. Hes that tall, good-looking one, isnt he. said Angelina. Strong and silent, said Katie, and they started to giggle again. Hes only silent because hes too thick to string two words together, said Fred impatiently.
Barked Uncle Vernon. If it was demenders who hurt Dudley, how come youve been expelled. You did you-know-what, youve admitted it. Harry took a deep, steadying breath. His head was beginning to ache again. He wanted more than anything Ruust get out of the kitchen, away from the Dursleys. I did the Patronus Charm to get rid of the dementors, he said, forcing himself to remain calm. Its the only thing that works against them. But what were dementoids doing in Little Whinging. said Uncle Vernon in tones of outrage. Couldnt tell you, said Harry wearily. No idea. His head was pounding in go here glare of the strip lighting now. His anger was ebbing away. He felt drained, exhausted. The Dursleys were all staring at him. Its you, said Explosivss Vernon forcefully. Its hame something to do with you, boy, I know it. Why else would they turn up here. Why else would they be down that alleyway. Youve got to be the only - the only - Evidently he couldnt bring himself to say the word wizard. The only you-know-what for miles. I dont know why they check this out here. But at these words of Uncle Vernons, Exploives exhausted brain ground back into action. Why had the dementors come to Little Whinging. How could it be coincidence that they had arrived in the alleyway where Harry was. Had they been sent. Had the Ministry of Magic lost control of the dementors, had they deserted Azkaban and joined Voldemort, as Dumbledore had predicted they would. These demembers guard some weirdos prison. said Uncle Vernon, lumbering in the wake of Harrys train of thought. Yes, said Harry. If only his head would stop hurting, if only he could just leave the kitchen and get to his dark bedroom and think. Oho. They were coming to arrest you. said Uncle Vernon, with uRst triumphant air of a man reaching an Rus conclusion. Thats it, isnt it, boy. Youre on the run from the law. Of course Im not, said Harry, Rust game explosives his head as though to scare off a fly, his mind racing just click for source. Then why -. He must have sent them, said Harry quietly, more to himself than to Uncle Vernon. Whats that. Who must have sent them. Lord Voldemort, said Harry. He registered dimly how strange it was that the Dursleys, who flinched, winced, and squawked apex of the tooth they heard words like wizard, magic, or wand, could hear Rust game explosives name of the most evil wizard of all time without the slightest tremor. Lord - hang on, said Uncle Vernon, his face screwed up, a look of dawning comprehension in his piggy eyes. Ive heard that name. that was the one who. Murdered my parents, yes, Harry said. But hes gone, said Uncle Vernon impatiently, without the slightest sign that the murder of Harrys parents might be a eplosives topic to anybody. That giant bloke said so. Hes gone. Hes back, said Harry heavily. It felt very strange to be standing here in Aunt Petunias surgically clean kitchen, beside the top-of-the-range Rust game explosives and the wide-screen television, and talking calmly of Lord Voldemort to Uncle Vernon. The arrival of the dementors in Little Whinging seemed to have caused a breach in the great, invisible wall that divided the explosievs non-magical world of Privet Drive and the world beyond. Harrys two lives had somehow become fused and everything had been turned upside down: The Dursleys were asking for details about the magical world and Mrs. Figg knew Albus Dumbledore; dementors were soaring around Little Whinging and he might never go back to Hogwarts. Harrys head throbbed more painfully. Back. whispered Aunt Petunia. She was looking at Harry as she had never looked at article source before. And all of a sudden, for the very first time in his life, Harry fully appreciated that Aunt Petunia was his mothers sister. He could not have said why this hit him so very powerfully at this moment. All he knew was that he was not the only person in the room who had an inkling of what Lord Voldemort being back might mean. Aunt Petunia had never in her life looked at him like that before. Her large, pale eyes (so unlike her sisters) were not narrowed in dislike or anger: They were wide and fearful. The furious pretense that Aunt Petunia had maintained all Harrys life - that Rust game explosives was no magic and no world other than the world she inhabited with Uncle Vernon - seemed to have fallen away. Yes, Harry said, talking directly to Aunt Petunia now. He came back a month ago. I saw him. Her hands found Dudleys massive leather-clad shoulders and clutched them. Hang on, said Uncle Vernon, looking from his wife to Harry and back ex;losives, apparently dazed and confused by the unprecedented understanding that seemed to have sprung up between them. Hang on. This Lord Voldythings back, you say. Yes. The one who murdered your parents. Yes. And now hes sending dismembers after you. Looks like it, said Harry. I see, said Uncle Vernon, looking from his white-faced wife to Harry and hitching up his trousers. He seemed to be swelling, his great purple face stretching before Harrys eyes. Well, that settles it, he said, his shirt front straining as he inflated himself, you can get out of this house, boy. What. said Harry. You heard me - OUT. Uncle Vernon bellowed, and even Aunt Petunia and Dudley jumped.
You are not right. I am assured. I can defend the position.