Emma Potter; Going to War

68: Lesson Number 2

Katie Bell  was removed to St. Mungo's Hospital for MagicalMaladies and Injuries the following day, by which time thenews that she had been cursed had spread all over the school,though the details were confused and nobody other than Me, Zoe,Harry,Ron, Hermione, and Leanne seemed to know that Katie herselfhad not been the intended target. 

"Oh, and Malfoy knows, of course," said Harry to Me, Ron and Hermione, we continued our new policy of feigning deafness whenever Harry mentioned his Malfoy-Is-a-Death-Eater theory. 

I had wondered whether Dumbledore would return fromwherever he had been in time for Monday night's lesson, but having had no word to the contrary, I presented myself outsideDumbledore's office at eight o'clock with my brother, knocked, and was told to enter.

 There sat Dumbledore looking unusually tired; his hand was asblack and burned as ever, but he smiled when he gestured to Harry and me to sit down. The Pensieve was sitting on the desk again, casting silvery specks of light over the ceiling. 

"You have had a busy time while I have been away," Dumbledore said. "I believe you both witnessed Katie's accident."

 "Yes, sir. How is she?" asked Harry

"Still very unwell, although she was relatively lucky. She appearsto have brushed the necklace with the smallest possible amount ofskin: There was a tiny hole in her glove. Had she put it on, had sheeven held it in her ungloved hand, she would have died, perhapsinstantly. Luckily Professor Snape was able to do enough to preventa rapid spread of the curse —" 

"Why him?"I asked quickly. "Why not Madam Pomfrey?"

 "Impertinent," said a soft voice from one of the portraits on thewall, and Phineas Nigellus Black, Sirius's great-great-grandfather,raised his head from his arms where he had appeared to be sleeping."I would not have permitted a student to question the way Hogwarts operated in my day." 

"Yes, thank you, Phineas," said Dumbledore quellingly. "Professor Snape knows much more about the Dark Arts than MadamPomfrey, Emma. Anyway, the St. Mungo's staff are sending mehourly reports, and I am hopeful that Katie will make a full recovery in time.""

Where were you this weekend, sir?" I asked, disregardinga strong feeling that I might be pushing my luck, a feeling apparently shared by Phineas Nigellus, who hissed softly. 

"I would rather not say just now," said Dumbledore. "However,I shall tell you in due course." 

"You will?" said Harry, startled

"Yes, I expect so," said Dumbledore, withdrawing a fresh bottleof silver memories from inside his robes and uncorking it with aprod of his wand.

 "Sir,"I said tentatively, "we met Mundungus in Hogsmeade." 

"Ah yes, I am already aware that Mundungus has been treatingyour inheritance with light-fingered contempt," said Dumbledore,frowning a little. "He has gone to ground since you accosted himoutside the Three Broomsticks; I rather think he dreads facing me.However, rest assured that he will not be making away with anymore of Sirius's old possessions." 

"That mangy old half-blood has been stealing Black heirlooms?"said Phineas Nigellus, incensed; and he stalked out of his frame,undoubtedly to visit his portrait in number twelve, GrimmauldPlace.

 "Professor," said Harry, after a short pause, "did ProfessorMcGonagall tell you what I told her after Katie got hurt? AboutDraco Malfoy?"

 "She told me of your suspicions, yes," said Dumbledore. 

"And do you — ?"

 "I shall take all appropriate measures to investigate anyone whomight have had a hand in Katie's accident," said Dumbledore. "Butwhat concerns me now, Harry, is our lesson."