The Daughter of Voldemort

Chapter 5

Harry followed Hermione out of the dining hall until they reach the outdoors. When they were finally alone and out of anyone else's hearing range, Harry filled Hermione in on everything that had happened. 

"You believe me?" said Harry, "That I didn't enter my own name into the tournament?"

"Of course I do," said Hermione. During the time Harry was retelling his side of the story, the two had managed to walk all the way down to the lake.

"Why doesn't Ron believe me? He's suppose to be my best friend," said Harry.

"Can't you see?" said Hermione, "He's just jealous."

"Jealous of what?" Said Harry angrily, "I don't want to be in this tournament. Doesn't he see how dangerous this could be?"

"I understand, but give him a little time to adjust," said Hermione. 

"If he doesn't want to be my friend anymore, well that's on him," said Harry angrily. Hermione sighed heavily and tried to change the topic. 

The two wandered around the school grounds until the sun was high in the sky and their stomachs grumbled loudly. When they went back inside to the dining hall to find some lunch, Harry was met with the large crowd of opinionated students that he was hoping to avoid. The Gryffindor's treated him like a god while the other three houses glared angrily and spat nasty comments as he passed their tables. 

Harry had finally gotten settled with his lunch when Hedwig and one other owl flew into the dining hall. The other owl was a solid black that starkly contrasted with Hedwig's white feathers. Although it wasn't technically time for mail, it wasn't uncommon for students to get letters at random times throughout the day, so no one found it too strange. Although Harry, who hardly got any letters as is, did find it a little odd. 

Hedwig flew down onto the table in front of Harry and dropped the letter that she had in her beak. She began pecking at the food on his plate as Harry examined the letter. 

Follow me to my office after dinner tonight.

   - Professor Dumbledore

Harry showed Hermione the letter and they spent the rest of lunch and most of the afternoon pondering what it could mean. The hours of the afternoon passed slowly as Ron was giving Harry the silent treatment and Harry was left to worry about the letter on his own when Hermione left his side to go and comfort Ron. 

Dinner finally came around and Harry sat on the end closest to the teacher tables in order to have a better view of Dumbledore. He ate his food quickly but then was left to sit in silence while waiting for Dumbledore to finish. After what felt like hours, Professor Dumbledore rose from his chair and spared a glance towards Harry before leaving the room. 

In all the commotion of dinner, Harry didn't even realize until the third flight of stairs that it wasn't just he who was following Dumbledore. Veronica Marvolo was silently trailing a few steps behind Harry. He unconsciously slowed his pace until they were walking side by side, both several paces behind Dumbledore.

They were led down many hallways and up many flights of stairs until Dumbledore stopped in front of the familiar gargoyle statue. 

"Sherbet Lemon," said Dumbledore. The statue slid open to reveal a spiral staircase that moved on its own. The three stepped on and were taken to the top of the tower where Dumbledore unlocked a large door and led them into a large room filled with moving portraits, thousands of books, and many wizard items that Harry had never seen before. 

"Welcome to my office," said Dumbledore cheerfully, "thank you both for coming on such short notice."

Harry and Veronica exchanged a glance wordlessly, neither of them completely sure why they were invited.