More Support
Hospital Wing, 11:30 AM, Sunday, June 25
Just before lunch, after which the nurse would be releasing Harry, the survivor of Voldemort’s latest attack was thinking about his interaction with Mrs. Figg, and how he could use that to his advantage when he returned to Surrey on July the first. First, though, he had to endure Final Exams. To that end, he now had a lap full of textbooks.
”Got any questions on Herbology?” asked Neville Longbottom, knowing that the subject was his one strong point.
”I think I’m OK there, but I’ll let you know if I change my mind. It’s just too bad Gillyweed wasn’t covered this year,” Harry replied. “I’d probably be able to ace those questions!”
”I still can’t believe Dobby swiped that from Snape’s private stores!” marveled Ron Weasley. He’d been saying things like that ever since Harry had used the plant to help him during the Second Task.
”So…what do you think about the real Moody?” Hermione asked.
”He’s actually a little quieter than Moody/Crouch was,” Harry responded. “The Order Member who really surprised me was Mrs. Figg. I still can’t believe she let my ‘dear’ relatives…,” He couldn’t finish the statement, but his anger, disappointment and despair traveled down his arm and hand.
The resulting SNAP! of Harry’s quill made everyone else in the room jump. ”Here, Harry,” remarked Hermione quietly, giving her friend a replacement.
”Leave it to Hermione…,” began Fred, teasingly….
”…to come to a study session…,” George jumped in….
”…with back-up quills!” they finished together.
~~~~~
After Harry, Neville and Hermione joined Ron and Ginny in loud groans, the youngest Weasley asked Harry, “So…what did you think about our oldest brothers?”
”Your brother Bill seems really cool,” said Harry. “He sounded like he could get a lot of support for the Order, from the Goblins at Gringott’s.” He paused, to make some notes about a Transfiguration Spell.
He then continued, “I really didn’t get to talk to Charlie much; it sounded like he had his hands full with some hatching dragon eggs….”
At this, several faces pinked, and heads dropped…but not before Harry had caught Ron’s eye, and shot him a look that said, ”I wasn’t about to mention the First Task, especially in front of the adults!” Ron hid a grin.
~~~~~
After having seen Lucius Malfoy, and the Seniors Crabbe and Goyle in the graveyard Saturday night, Harry started to ask his fellow Gryffindors whether any gossip had yet drifted up from the dungeons about their sons. Suddenly the door burst open.
”A-HA!! I knew Mr. Thomas and Mr. Finnigan were just running interference for you lot!” Poppy said, sweeping into the room. “You know my rules: Only two students at a time, visiting my patients!”
As the group started to disperse, the nurse stopped exactly two of them. “Mr. Longbottom, Miss Granger…you two may as well stay until Mr. Potter finishes lunch.” Here, she Conjured Harry’s lunch tray, “Afterward, the Headmaster would like all three of you in his office.”
Now looking at Fred and George—the oldest Weasleys present—Pomfrey’s voice softened. “Your parents are up there now, and they need to see you…all of you,” she concluded, giving Ginny a sad look.
”Yes, Ma’am,” quietly chorused the twins, as each one ushered a younger sibling out.
”I’ll be back directly, to join you,” Poppy promised Harry, Neville and Hermione.