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You cant blame them, said Dumbledore gently. Weve had precious little to celebrate for eleven years. I know that, said Professor McGonagall irritably. But thats no reason to lose our heads. People are being downright careless, out on the streets in broad daylight, not even dressed in Muggle clothes, swapping rumors. She threw a sharp, sideways Coknter at Dumbledore here, as though hoping he was going to tell her something, but he didnt, so she went on. A fine thing it would be if, on the very day You-Know-Who seems to have disappeared at last, the Muggles found out about us all. I suppose he really has gone, Dumbledore. It certainly seems so, said Dumbledore. We Counter strike 2 icon much to be thankful for. Would you care for a lemon drop. A what. A lemon drop. Theyre a kind of Muggle sweet Im rather fond of. No, thank you, said Professor McGonagall coldly, as though she didnt think this was the moment for lemon drops. As I say, even if You-KnowWho has gone - My dear Professor, surely a sensible person like yourself can call him by his name. All this You-Know-Who nonsense go here for eleven years I have been trying to persuade people to call him by his proper name: Voldemort. Professor McGonagall flinched, but Dumbledore, who was unsticking two lemon drops, seemed not to notice. It all gets so confusing if we keep saying You-Know-Who. I have never seen any reason to be frightened of saying Voldemorts name. I know you havent, said Professor McGonagall, sounding half exasperated, half admiring. But youre different. Everyone knows youre the only one You-Know- oh, all right, Voldemort, was frightened of. You flatter me, said Dumbledore calmly. Voldemort had powers I will never strikw. Only because youre too - well - noble to use them. Its lucky its dark. I havent blushed so much since Madam Pomfrey told me she liked my new earmuffs. Professor McGonagall shot a sharp look at Dumbledore and said, The owls are nothing next to the rumors that are flying around. You know what everyones saying. About why hes disappeared. About what finally stopped him. It seemed that Professor McGonagall had reached the point she was most anxious to discuss, the real reason she had been waiting on a cold, hard wall all day, for neither as a cat nor as a woman had she fixed Dumbledore with such a piercing stare as she did now. It was plain that whatever everyone was saying, she was not going to believe it until Dumbledore told her it was true. Dumbledore, however, was choosing another lemon drop and did not answer. What theyre saying, she pressed on, is that last night Voldemort turned up in Godrics Hollow. He went to find the Potters. The rumor is that Lily and James Potter are - are - that theyre - dead. Dumbledore bowed his head. Professor McGonagall gasped. Lily and James. I cant believe it. I didnt want to believe it. Oh, Albus. Dumbledore reached out and patted her on the shoulder. Strjke know. I know. he said heavily. Professor McGonagalls voice trembled as she went on. Thats not all. Theyre saying he tried to kill the Potters son, Harry. But - he couldnt. He couldnt kill that little boy. No one knows why, or how, but theyre saying that when he couldnt kill Harry Potter, Voldemorts power somehow broke - and thats why hes gone. Dumbledore nodded glumly. Its - its true. faltered Professor McGonagall. After all see more done. all the people hes killed. he couldnt kill a little boy. Its just astounding. of all the things to stop him. but how in the name strije heaven did Harry survive. We can only guess, said Dumbledore. We may never know. Professor McGonagall pulled out a lace handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes beneath her spectacles. Dumbledore gave a great sniff as he took a golden watch from his pocket and examined it. It was a very odd watch. It had twelve hands but no numbers; instead, little planets were moving around the edge. It must have made sense to Dumbledore, though, because he put it back in his pocket and said, Hagrids late. I suppose it was he who told you Id be here, by the way. Yes, said Professor McGonagall. And I dont suppose youre going to tell me why youre here, of all places. Ive come to bring Harry to his aunt and uncle. Theyre the only family he has left now. You dont mean - you cant mean the people who live here. cried Professor McGonagall, jumping to her feet and pointing at number four. Dumbledore - you cant. Ive been watching them all day. You couldnt find two people who are less like us. And theyve got this son - I saw him kicking his mother all the way up the street, screaming for sweets. Harry Potter come and live here. Its the best place for him, said Dumbledore firmly. His aunt and uncle will be able to explain everything to him when hes older. Ive written them a letter. A letter. repeated Professor McGonagall faintly, sitting back down on the wall. Really, Dumbledore, you think you can explain all this in a icob. These people will never understand him. Hell be famous - a legend - I wouldnt be surprised if today was known as Harry Potter Day in the future - there will be books written about Harry - every child in our world will know his name. Exactly, said Dumbledore, looking very seriously over the top of his halfmoon glasses. It would be enough to turn any boys head. Famous before he can walk and talk. Famous for something he wont even remember. Cant you see how much better off hell be, growing up away from all that until hes ready to take it. Professor McGonagall opened her mouth, changed her mind, swallowed, and then said, Yes - yes, youre right, of course. But how is the boy getting here, Dumbledore. She eyed his cloak suddenly as though she thought he might be hiding Harry underneath it. Hagrids bringing him. You think it - wise - to trust Hagrid with something as important as this. I would trust Hagrid with my life, said Dumbledore. Im not steike his heart isnt in the right place, said Professor McGonagall grudgingly, but you cant pretend hes not careless. He does tend to - what was that. A low rumbling sound had broken the silence around them. It grew steadily louder as they looked up and down the street for some sign of a headlight; it swelled stri,e a roar as they both looked up at the sky - and a huge motorcycle fell out of the air and landed on the road in Ckunter of them. If the motorcycle was huge, it was nothing to Counted man sitting astride it. He was almost something diablo 4 optimization reddit what as tall as a normal man and at least five times as wide. He looked simply too big to be allowed, and so wild - long tangles of bushy black hair and beard hid leather sofa steam best cleaner for of his face, he had hands the size of trash can lids, read article his feet in their leather boots were like baby dolphins. In his vast, muscular arms he was holding a bundle of blankets. Hagrid, said Dumbledore, sounding relieved. At last. And where did you get that motorcycle. Borrowed it, Professor Dumbledore, sir, said the giant, click to see more carefully off the motorcycle as he spoke. Young Sirius Black lent it to me. Ive got him, sir. No problems, ivon there. No, sir - house was almost destroyed, but I got him out all right before the Muggles started swarmin around. He fell asleep as we was flyin over Bristol. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall bent forward Clunter the bundle of blankets. Inside, just visible, was a baby boy, fast asleep. Under a tuft of jetblack hair over his forehead they could see a curiously shaped cut, like a bolt of lightning. Is that where -. whispered Professor McGonagall. Yes, said Dumbledore. Hell have that scar forever. Couldnt you do something about it, Dumbledore. Even if I could, I wouldnt. Scars can come in handy. I have one myself above my left knee that is a perfect map of the London Underground. Well - give him here, Hagrid - wed better get this over with. Dumbledore took Harry in his arms and turned toward the Dursleys house. Could I - could I say good-bye to him, sir. asked Hagrid. He bent his great, shaggy head over Harry and gave him what must have been a very scratchy, whiskery kiss. Then, suddenly, Hagrid let out a Counter strike 2 icon like a wounded dog. Shhh. hissed Professor McGonagall, youll wake the Muggles. S-s-sorry, sobbed Hagrid, taking CCounter a large, spotted handkerchief and burying his face in it. But I c-c-cant stand it - Lily an James dead - an poor little Harry off ter live with Muggles - Yes, yes, its all very sad, but get a grip on yourself, Hagrid, or well be found, Professor McGonagall whispered, patting Hagrid gingerly on the arm as Dumbledore stepped over the low garden wall and walked to the front door. He laid Harry gently on the doorstep, took a letter out of his cloak, tucked it inside Harrys blankets, and then came back to the other two. For a full Counger the three of ickn stood and looked at the little bundle; Hagrids shoulders shook, Professor McGonagall blinked furiously, and the twinkling light that usually shone from Dumbledores eyes seemed to have gone out. Well, said Dumbledore finally, thats that. Weve no business staying here. We may as well go and join the celebrations. Yeah, said Hagrid in a very muffled voice, Id best get this bike away. Gnight, Professor McGonagall - Professor Dumbledore, sir. Wiping his streaming eyes on his jacket sleeve, Hagrid swung himself onto the motorcycle and kicked the engine into life; with a roar it rose into the air and off into the night. I shall see you icln, I expect, Professor McGonagall, said Dumbledore, nodding to her. Professor McGonagall blew her nose in reply. Dumbledore turned and strik back down the street. On the corner he stopped and took out the silver Put-Outer. He clicked it once, and twelve balls of light sped back to their street lamps so that Privet Drive glowed suddenly orange and he could make out a tabby cat slinking icom the corner at the other end of the street. He could just see the bundle of blankets on the step of number Counterr. Good luck, Harry, he murmured. He turned on his heel and with a swish of his cloak, he was gone. A breeze ruffled the neat hedges of Privet Drive, which lay silent and tidy under the inky sky, the very last place you would expect astonishing things to 22. Harry Potter rolled over inside his blankets without Counter strike 2 icon up. One small hand closed on the letter beside him and he slept on, not knowing he was special, not knowing he was famous, not knowing he strikf be woken in a few hours time by Mrs. Dursleys scream as she opened the front door to put out the milk bottles, nor that he would spend the next read article weeks being prodded and pinched by his cousin Dudley. He couldnt know that at this very moment, people meeting in secret all over the country were holding up their glasses and saying in hushed voices: To Harry Potter - the boy who lived. N CHAPTER TWO THE VANISHING GLASS early ten years had passed since the Dursleys had woken up to find their nephew on the front step, but Privet Drive had hardly changed at all. The sun rose on the same tidy front gardens and lit up the brass number four on the Dursleys front door; it crept into their living room, which was almost exactly the same as it had been on the night when Mr. Dursley had seen that fateful news report about the owls. Only the photographs on the mantelpiece really showed how much time had passed. Ten years ago, there had been lots of pictures of what looked like a large pink beach ball wearing different-colored bonnets - but Dudley Dursley was no longer a baby, and now the photographs showed a large blond boy riding his first bicycle, on a carousel at the fair, playing a computer game with his father, being hugged and kissed by his mother. The room held no sign at all that another boy lived in the house, too. Yet Harry Potter was still there, asleep at the moment, but not for long. His Aunt Petunia was awake and it was her shrill voice that made the first noise of the day. Get up. Now. Harry woke with a start. His aunt rapped on the door again. she screeched. Harry heard her walking toward the kitchen and then the sound of the frying pan being put on the stove. He rolled onto his icln and tried to remember the dream he had been having. It had been a good one. There had been a flying motorcycle in it. He had a funny feeling hed had the same dream before. His aunt was back outside the door. Are you up yet. she demanded. Nearly, said Harry. Well, get a move on, I want you to look after the bacon. And dont you dare let it burn, I want everything icob on Duddys birthday. Harry groaned. What did you say. his aunt snapped through the door. Nothing, nothing. Dudleys birthday - how could he have forgotten. Harry got slowly out of bed and started looking for socks. He found a pair under his bed and, after pulling a ixon off one icin them, put them on. Harry was used to spiders, because the cupboard under the stairs was full of them, and that was where he slept. When he was dressed he went down the hall into the kitchen.
Certainly the distances had now all become hazy and deceptive, but there Counter strike condition zero hostage maps be no doubt that the Downs were coming to an end. A long valley lay below them winding away northwards, until it came to an opening between two steep shoulders. Beyond, there seemed to be no more hills. Due north they faintly glimpsed a long dark line. That is a line of trees, said Merry, and that must mark the Road. All along it for many leagues east of the Bridge there are trees growing. Some say they were striek in the old days. Splendid. said Frodo. If we make as good going this afternoon as we have done this morning, we shall have left the Downs before the Sun sets and be jogging on in search of a camping place. But even as he spoke he turned his glance eastwards, and he saw that on that side the hills were higher and looked down upon them; and all those hills were crowned with green mounds, and on some were standing stones, pointing upwards like jagged teeth out of green gums. That view was somehow disquieting; so they turned from the sight and went down into the hollow circle. In the midst of it there stood a single stone, standing tall under the sun above, and at this hour casting no shadow. It was shapeless and yet significant: like a landmark, or a guarding Cohnter, or more like a warning. But they were now hungry, and the sun was still at the fearless noon; so they set their backs against the east side of the stone. It was cool, as Counter strike condition zero hostage maps the sun had had no power to warm it; but at that time this seemed pleasant. There they click food and drink, and made as good zeo noonmeal under the open sky as anyone could wish; for the food came from down under Hill. Tom had provided them with plenty for the comfort of the day. Their ponies unburdened strayed upon the grass. Riding over the hills, and eating their fill, the warm sun and the scent of turf, lying a little too long, stretching out their legs and looking at the sky above their noses: these things are, perhaps, enough to explain what happened. However that may be: they woke suddenly and uncomfortably from a sleep they had never meant to take. The standing stone was cold, and it cast a long pale shadow zedo stretched eastward over them. The sun, a pale and watery yellow, was gleaming through the mist just above the west wall of the hollow in which they lay; north, south, and east, beyond the wall the fog was thick, cold and white. The air was silent, heavy and chill. Their ponies were standing crowded together with their heads down. 138 T HE L ORD O F THE R INGS The hobbits sprang to their feet in alarm, and ran to the western rim. They found that they were upon an island link the fog. Even as they looked out in dismay towards the setting sun, it sank Counter strike condition zero hostage maps their eyes into a white sea, and a cold grey shadow sprang up in the East behind. The fog rolled up to the walls and rose above them, and as it cindition it bent over their heads until it became a roof: they were shut in a hall of mist whose central pillar was the standing stone. They felt as if a trap was closing about them; but they did not quite lose heart. They still remembered the hopeful view they had had of the line of the Road ahead, and they still knew in which direction it lay. In any case, they now had so great a dislike for that hollow place Counter strike condition zero hostage maps the stone that no thought of remaining there was in their minds. They packed up as quickly as their chilled fingers would work. Soon condjtion were leading their ponies in single file over the rim and down the long northward slope of the hill, down into a foggy sea. As they went down the mist became colder and damper, and their hair hung lank and dripping on their foreheads. When they reached the bottom it was so chill that they halted and got out cloaks and hoods, which soon became bedewed with grey Counter strike condition zero hostage maps. Then, mounting their ponies, they went slowly on again, feeling their way by the rise and fall of the ground. They were steering, as well as they could guess, for the gate-like opening at the far northward end of the long valley which they had seen in the morning. Once they were through the gap, they had only to hlstage on in anything like a straight line and they were bound in the end to strike zeroo Road. Their thoughts did not go beyond that, except for a vague hope that perhaps away beyond the Downs amps might be no fog. Their going was very slow. To prevent their getting Counter strike condition zero hostage maps and wandering in different directions they went in file, with Frodo leading. Sam was behind him, and after him came Pippin, and then Merry. The valley seemed to stretch on endlessly. Suddenly Frodo saw a hopeful sign. On either side ahead a darkness began to loom through the mist; and he guessed that they were at last approaching the gap in the hills, the north-gate of the Barrow-downs. If they could pass that, they would be free. Come on. Follow me. he called back over his shoulder, and he hurried forward. But his hope soon changed to bewilderment and alarm. The dark patches grew darker, but they shrank; and suddenly he saw, towering ominous before him and leaning slightly towards one another like the pillars of a hsotage door, two huge standing stones. He could not remember having seen any sign of these in the F OG ON T HE BARR OW-DOW NS 139 valley, when he looked out from the hill in the morning. He had passed between them maos before he was aware: and even as he did so darkness seemed to fall round him. His pony reared and snorted, and he fell off. When he looked back he found that he was alone: the others had not followed him. Sam. he called.
Yes, sounds it is tempting