HARRY POTTER Book 4: Chapter 10
Chapter 10
MAYHEM AT THE MINISTRY
Harry, Ron, and Hermione wake up after only a few hours of sleep. Everyone is tired and cold. Mr. Weasley uses a simple spell to pack the tents fast. The family walks away from the campsite before the sun rises.
Mr. Roberts, the Muggle campsite manager, stands outside his house. He looks confused and lost. He waves and says, “Merry Christmas,” even though it is summer. “When a Muggle’s memory is modified,” explains Mr. Weasley, “they are often confused for a short time. The Ministry made Mr. Roberts forget many things, so his mind needs time to clear.”
They reach the Portkey point. Many witches and wizards stand there, trying to leave as fast as they can. People look worried. There is a long line. Mr. Weasley talks to Basil, the guard of Portkeys, and soon they take an old rubber tire back to Stoatshead Hill.
The sky becomes lighter as they walk home to the Burrow. Harry is hungry and wants breakfast. No one talks much. They are too tired and too full of thoughts. When the Burrow comes into view, Mrs. Weasley runs toward them. Her face is white, and she holds a copy of the newspaper The Daily Prophet in her hand.
“Oh, I’ve been so worried!” she yells. She hugs each of them, even Fred and George. They try to pull away, but she holds them tightly. “We’re all okay, Molly,” says Mr. Weasley. She hugs the boys even tighter! The newspaper falls from her hand. It is open on the ground. Harry sees the front page: SCENES OF TERROR AT THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP There is a moving picture of the Dark Mark above the trees.
Inside the kitchen, everyone sits close together. Hermione makes tea for Mrs. Weasley. Mr. Weasley pours a bit of Firewhisky into her cup to calm her. Bill gives Mr. Weasley the newspaper, and he reads it quickly. The article blames the Ministry for last night. It says the Ministry failed to control the attackers. “Who wrote the article, dad?” asks Bill. “Ah, of course,” answers Mr. Weasley angrily. “It was Rita Skeeter.”
Percy becomes red with anger. He says Rita always attacks the Ministry. “Do us a favor, Perce,” says Bill. “Shut up.” Mr. Weasley reads a line that suggests dead bodies were found in the woods. He is upset. He says no one died, but now rumors will spread and people will believe them.
Mr. Weasley says he must go to work, even though he is on holiday. “I’ll go with you,” says Percy importantly. “I can help Mr. Crouch. I know the Ministry will need all the help they can get.” He leaves the room quickly to get dressed. Mrs. Weasley begs them to stay and rest, but they leave.
Harry asks Mrs. Weasley if Hedwig has brought a letter. Mrs. Weasley says no. Harry looks at Ron and Hermione and asks quietly if he can bring his things to Ron’s room. They understand at once and they all go upstairs together. Inside the room, Harry tells them his secret. He tells them that his scar hurt again three days ago, at Privet Drive. Hermione gasps. Ron stares at Harry without speaking. Harry says he dreamed of Voldemort and Wormtail. They talked about killing someone. Harry almost tells them that the “someone” was him. But he says the dream may be true, not just a nightmare.
