Hogwarts: Proficiency Panel

Chapter 491 492: Room 11

Fudge tossed his pinstriped cloak aside and hitched up his dark green trousers

before settling into the chair opposite Harry.

"Harry," he began, "I am Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic."

Harry, of course, already knew that. He had seen Fudge's face in the Daily

Prophet dozens of times—most recently just moments ago, his round, anxious face

pictured right below the hollow-eyed stare of Sirius Black.

Tom, the landlord, reappeared. He had pulled an apron over his nightshirt and

was carrying a tray laden with tea and crumpets. He set the tray between them,

bowed low to the group, and withdrew, clicking the door shut behind him.

"Well, now, Harry," Fudge said, pouring the tea, "to be frank with you, you've

had us all in a right old tizzy. Running away from your aunt and uncle's like

that! I had begun to think... well, the important thing is that you're safe."

Fudge helped himself to a crumpet, slathered it in butter, and pushed the plate

toward Harry.

"Eat up, Harry. You look like you're about to collapse. And please, Mr. Green,

don't be shy." Fudge turned to Sean with a wide, beaming smile.

The seating arrangement was telling. Harry sat alone against the wall, while

Sean had been ushered to the seat beside Fudge. From Harry's perspective, it

looked as though the Minister for Magic and Sean Green were sitting in joint

judgment over him.

"You see, Harry, your Aunt Marge was blown up like a prize balloon, and then you

simply vanished," Fudge continued. "Naturally, we feared the worst... but you're

a clever lad. You found the right people to help you. For Mr. Green's sake, the

Ministry has already smoothed over the unfortunate incident involving Miss

Marjorie Dursley. I expect you'll be glad to hear that."

Harry stared. "You... you fixed it?"

"Two hours ago," Fudge said, smiling over the rim of his teacup like a doting

uncle. "Members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad were dispatched to Privet

Drive. Miss Dursley has been deflated, and her memory has been modified. She

won't remember a thing about it. So, you see? No harm done."

Harry couldn't believe his ears. He opened his mouth to speak, found himself

speechless, and closed it again.

"Ah, you're worried about your aunt and uncle's reaction, aren't you?" Fudge

chuckled. "Well, I won't lie—they are beyond furious. But they've agreed to take

you back next summer, provided you stay at Hogwarts for Christmas and Easter."

"I always stay at Hogwarts for Christmas and Easter," Harry said flatly. He

waited for the other shoe to drop—the punishment, the expulsion, the lecture.

"Now then," Fudge said, reaching for a second crumpet, "that just leaves the

question of where you'll spend the final three weeks of your holidays. I suggest

you take a room here at the Leaky Cauldron—"

"Wait," Harry interrupted. "If you know it was me who used magic... why aren't I

being punished?"

Fudge blinked. "Punished?"

"I broke the law!" Harry cried. "The Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of

Underage Sorcery!"

"Oh, my dear boy, we aren't going to punish you for a little thing like that!"

Fudge waved his crumpet dismissively. "It was an accident! We don't send people

to Azkaban just for blowing up their aunts!"

This was a complete 180-degree turn from Harry's previous dealings with the

Ministry.

"Last year, I got an official warning just because a house-elf smashed a cake in

my uncle's kitchen!" Harry frowned. "The Ministry told me if there was any more

magic used there, I'd be expelled from Hogwarts!"

If Harry wasn't mistaken, Fudge suddenly looked very uncomfortable.

"Circumstances change, Harry... we have to take into account... well, given the

current climate... surely you don't want to be expelled?"

"Of course not," Harry said.

"Well then, why harp on it?" Fudge laughed airily. "Now, have another crumpet.

I'll go and see if Tom has a room available for you. After that, I have some

business to discuss with Mr. Green. I've been looking forward to this moment for

a very long time."

Fudge strode out of the room. Harry stared after him, his mind racing. It didn't

make sense. If Fudge didn't want to punish him, why had the Minister for Magic

personally come to the Leaky Cauldron to meet a thirteen-year-old?

Harry looked out the window at the pale, sickly glow of the moon. It felt

unreal, like a dream that was slowly turning into a nightmare.

"Sean," Harry whispered, turning to the person he trusted most. "It's about

Black, isn't it?"

Sean nodded slowly. "Yes."

"He was Voldemort's top lieutenant," Harry's voice trembled. "He escaped

Azkaban... and he's coming for me, isn't he?"

Harry felt a surge of cold panic. An escaped convict, a powerful murderer who

had survived the world's most dangerous prison, was out there. No one knew how

he'd escaped, but everyone knew why: he was coming to finish what his master

started. He was coming to kill Harry Potter.

"That's why Fudge is here... it wasn't about Aunt Marge at all." Harry's throat

felt tight. Ever since he'd entered the wizarding world, someone was always

trying to kill him.

"Yes, Harry," Sean said calmly.

"Sean... can I stay with you until we go back to Hogwarts?" Harry asked, his

voice small and hopeful. If he could stay by Sean's side, he knew he'd be safe.

To Harry's utter dismay, Sean shook his head.

"I see," Harry whispered, his voice cracking.

"Harry, look at me," Sean said, breaking Harry's spiral of despair. "You won't

be in any danger. I promise you."

"What?" Harry blinked, confused.

Before he could ask what Sean meant, Fudge and Tom returned.

"Room 10 was just taken, but Room 11 is vacant, Harry," Fudge said cheerfully.

"I think you'll find it quite comfortable. There is only one thing—and I'm sure

you'll understand. I don't want you wandering off into Muggle London. Keep to

Diagon Alley. Be back here every night before dark. Tom will be keeping an eye

on things for me."

Fudge didn't even wait for Harry to agree. He turned to Sean, his face lighting

up with excitement. "Now, Mr. Green, if you could spare me a bit of your time?"

Without another word to Harry, Fudge practically ushered Sean out of the room,

sticking close to him as they disappeared down the hall.

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