𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 - ʰᵖ

34.

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THRITY-FOUR:
THE MINISTER OF MAGIC

"It can't be Hagrid, it just can't be." Hermione shook her head in denial as the four walked through the court yard the next day.

"We don't even know this Tom Riddle. He sounds like a dirty rotten snitch to me." Ron spat distastefully.

Harry frowned, "The monster killed someone, Ron. What would any of us have done?"

"Look Hagrid's our friend... why don't we just go ask him about it." Hermione offered carefully.

Elsie stared at her. "Great idea Hermione, 'hey Hagrid! Have you set anything hairy and deadly in the castle recently?"

"Someone say my name?" Elsie whirled around to see the giant man stalking over to them.

"No!" Elsie said quickly at the same time as the others.

After an awkward pause Harry cleared his throat, "Whats that Hagrid?" He was pointing to the purple viles in Hagrids arms.

"Oh, it's Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent. For the Mandrakes, you know. Now, according to Professor Sprout, they've still got a bit of growing up to do, but once their acne's cleared up, we'll be able to chop 'em up and stew 'em, and then we'll get those people down at the hospital unpetrified. In the meantime, though, you four had best be looking after yourselves, all right?" Hagrid stated before turning away.

Just as he left Neville came rushing into the room. "Harry! You've better come quick!"

The four shared a worried look before running after Neville. He led them back to the Gryffindor common room and up to the boys dorms.

Elsie had only seen them once before, they were just like the girls, only now it was ransacked. Harrys stuff was thrown about the room as if someone had gone through his things. Books were on the floor, ink spilled about, sheets thrown off the bed. It was a disaster.

"It had to of been a Gryffindor. No one else knows our password." Hermione realized.

"Whoever it was had to of been looking for something." Ron said.

Harry faced them. "And they found it. Tom Riddles diary is gone." Elsie paled, the diary was the one bit of proof they had. The diary was what had shown Harry exactly what had happened 50 years ago.

With that gone how were they going to catch the Heir of Slytherin?

* * *

A few days later was the Quidditch match of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Elsie was very excited, as she had missed the last one for her private lesson.

    "You've easily got the win Harry, Hufflepuff has good defense, but they can't score to save a life." Ron stated as the four walked down to the pitch.

    "Thanks Ron,-" The boy faltered. "The voice- I heard it again... can't you?"

    Hermione suddenly let out a large gasp. "I think I've just realized something! I've got to go to the library!" The girl wasted no time giving an explanation before ditching the match and running back towards the school.