Silver Hourglass

A High Inquisitor's Warning Chapter 43

Harry did not tell Dumbledore, nor did he wrote a letter to Sirius, which he was thinking of that morning as he sat in the library, finishing his remaining homework. Harry spent most of Saturday in the library, hunched over his homework when Ron and Hermione came in. Hermione was carrying a copy of the Daily Prophet, and placed it in front of Harry, ontop of his essay for Ancient Runes.

"Harry, look at this," Hermione said, pointing to an item that was barely an inch long and placed right at the bottom of a column. It was headlined:

TRESSPASS AT MINISTRY

Sturgis Podmore, 38, of number two, Laburnum Gardens, Clapham, has appeared in front of the Wizengamont charged with trespass and attempted robbery at the Ministry of Magic on 31st August. Podmore was arrested by Ministry of Magic watch-wizard Eric Munch, who found him attempting to force his way through a top-security door at one o'clock in the morning. Podmore, who refused to speak in his own defense, was convicted on both charges and sentenced to six months in Azkaban.

"Sturgis Podmore?" Ron said slowly, "but he's that bloke who looks like his head's been thatched isn't he? He's one of the Ord—"

"Ron, shh!" Hermione said, casting a terrified look around them.

"Six months in Azkaban?" whispered Harry, shocked. "Just for trying to get through a door—what on earth was he doing at the Ministry of Magic at one o'clock in the morning?" Hermione breathed, asking Harry and Ron.

"D'you reckon he was doing something for the Order?" Ron muttered.

"Wait a moment..." Harry said slowly, "Sturgis was supposed to come and see us off, remember?"

The other two looked at him.

"Yeah, he was supposed to be part of our guard going to King's Cross, remember? And Moody was all annoyed because he didn't turn up, so that doesn't seem like he was supposed to be on a job for them, does it?"

"Well, maybe they didn't expect him to get caught," Hermione said.

"I could be a frame-up!" Ron exclaimed excitedly. "No—listen!" he went on, dropping his voice dramatically at the threatening look on Hermione's face. "The Ministry suspects he's one of Dumbledore's lot so—I dunno—they lured him to the Ministry, and he wasn't trying to get through a door at all! Maybe they've just made something up to get him!"

There was a pause while Harry and Hermione considered this. Harry thought it seemed far-fetched; Hermione, on the other hand, looked rather impressed and said "Do you know, I wouldn't be at all surprised if that were true."

She folded up her half of the newspaper thoughtfully, and pulled out some parchment and her books. "I think we should tackle that essay for Sprout on Self-Fertilizing Shrubs first, and if we're lucky we'll be able to start McGonagall's Inanimatus Conjurus before lunch. ..."

Harry felt a small twinge of guilt at the thought of all the homework that were still waiting for him in his bag. The sky was a clear, exhilarating blue, and he had not been on his Firebolt all week. ... not that he could fly it anymore.

"Why not we go flying instead?" Ron asked, smiling at Harry. "Did you hear? I tried out for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team and got in! I'm the new Keeper!"

"Really!? That's great!" Harry exclaimed, grinning at his friend.

"Yeah!" Ron grinned. "Can't wait to play against you for the Cup!"

"Y-Yeah..." Harry said. "Sorry Ron, but I have a week's worth of homework to do...sorry."

"Ohh..."