HARRY POTTER Book 4: Chapter 21
Chapter 21
THE HOUSE-ELF LIBERATION FRONT
That evening, Harry, Ron, and Hermione walk up the stairs to the Owlery. The air is cold. The room smells of straw and owls. Harry needs to send a letter to Sirius. He wants to tell Sirius that he survived the first task and that he and Ron are friends again.
On the way, Harry tells Ron what Sirius said about Karkaroff. “Karkaroff was a Death Eater,” Harry whispers. Ron looks shocked. “I knew he was a bad man!” Ron says. “Malfoy’s father is friends with him. They were probably together at the World Cup.”
Ron looks at Harry and smiles. “If Karkaroff wanted to kill you, and if he put your name in the cup, he is very angry now. You only got a small cut from the dragon. I think you can win this tournament, Harry! I’m serious.”
They finally reach the Owlery. Ron’s small owl, Pigwidgeon, is very excited. He flies in circles around Harry’s head. “Stay still!” Ron says. He catches the small owl. Harry ties his letter to the owl’s leg.
“Dear Sirius, I did it. I got past the dragon. I used a Summoning Charm to call my broom. I am tied for first place with Viktor Krum. Ron and I are friends again. I am staying safe. Harry”
The small owl flies out into the dark sky. Harry, Ron, and Hermione walk back to the castle. Harry is feeling very hungry. They arrive at the Gryffindor common room. Harry climbs through the portrait hole. Suddenly, there is a huge noise.
“CONGRATULATIONS, HARRY!”
The room is full of people. There are red and gold banners on the walls. There are plates of food and jugs of pumpkin juice on every table. Harry feels very happy. He grabs a large pile of sandwiches.
Fred and George Weasley run toward him. “You were amazing, Harry!” Fred says. “Have a Canary Cream!” George says. He offers a yellow cookie to Harry. Harry knows the twins too well. He does not take the cookie. But Neville Longbottom is hungry. Neville eats the cookie. Suddenly, Neville turns into a large, yellow bird!
Everyone in the room laughs. After a minute, the feathers fall off. Neville turns back into a boy. He looks very surprised. “Open the egg, Harry!” Lee Jordan shouts. “We want to see the clue for the next task!” “Yes, open it!” everyone cries. Harry stands in the middle of the room. He holds the heavy golden egg. He finds the small hinge at the top of the egg and he pulls it open.
A terrible sound fills the room. It is a high, loud screeching. It sounds like a ghost screaming in pain. It is the worst noise Harry has ever heard. Neville covers his ears and looks terrified. Harry slams the egg shut. The silence is wonderful.
“What was that?” Seamus asks. “It sounded like a banshee,” George says. “Maybe you have to fight a banshee next?” “Maybe it is a warning,” Hermione says. She looks at the egg carefully. “The noise is a clue. You just need to understand it.”
The next morning, Hermione is very busy. She is working on her club, S.P.E.W. She is making more badges. She stops students in the corridors and asks them for money to help house-elves. “Neville, you want a badge,” Hermione says. Neville sighs and gives her two Sickles. He pins the badge to his robes. He does not look happy.
“Hermione, no one wants to join,” Ron says. “The elves work too hard,” Hermione says. “They do all the cooking and cleaning. They get no money! It is not fair.” “They like working,” Ron says. “My mom says they are happy.” “That is because they don't know any better!” Hermione says.
In History of Magic, Hermione does not listen to Professor Binns. She is busy writing a long list of rules for house-elves. She wants them to have holidays and clothes. Harry is busy, too. He is thinking about the screeching egg. He has no idea how to solve the mystery.
A few days later, Harry and Ron meet Fred and George in the entrance hall. “Where are you going?” Harry asks. “To the kitchens,” George whispers. “We’re hungry. Do you want to come?” “The kitchens?” Harry asks. “How do we get there?” “Follow us,” Fred says.
They go down a stone staircase near the Great Hall. They walk down a long corridor with many pictures on the walls. They stop in front of a picture of a large bowl of fruit. “You have to tickle the pear,” Fred says with a smile. Harry reaches out and tickles the green pear in the painting. The pear starts to giggle. Suddenly, it turns into a large green door handle. Harry opens the door.
