HARRY POTTER Book 4: Chapter 29
Chapter 29
THE DREAM
“This is what I think,” says Hermione. She rubs her forehead. She is thinking hard. “Either Mr. Crouch attacked Viktor, or someone else attacked both of them when Viktor wasn’t looking.”
“It must have been Crouch,” says Ron. “That’s why he was gone when Harry and Dumbledore got there. He ran away.” “I don’t think so,” says Harry. He shakes his head. “He looked very weak. I don’t think he Disapparated or anything like that.”
“You can’t Disapparate on the Hogwarts grounds,” says Hermione. “I’ve told you that many times.” Ron thinks for a moment. “Okay… listen to this theory,” he says. “Maybe Krum attacked Crouch… and then Stunned himself!” “And Mr. Crouch disappeared into the air?” says Hermione. “Oh,” says Ron quietly.
It is early morning. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stand in the Owlery. They came here before sunrise to send a letter to Sirius. They look out across the misty Hogwarts grounds. All three of them look tired. They talked late into the night about Mr. Crouch.
“Tell us again,” says Hermione. “What did Mr. Crouch say exactly?" “He wasn’t speaking clearly,” says Harry. “But he said he wanted to warn Dumbledore. He talked about Bertha Jorkins. He believed she was dead. He kept saying everything was his fault. He also talked about his son.” “Well, that was his fault,” says Hermione.
“He wasn’t thinking clearly,” says Harry. “Sometimes he talked like his wife and son were still alive. Sometimes he spoke to Percy like they were at the Ministry together.” “And what did he say about You-Know-Who?” says Ron quietly. “He said he is getting stronger,” says Harry.
“But he was confused,” Ron says after a moment. “Maybe it was only nonsense.” “No,” Harry says quietly. “When he talked about Voldemort, he sounded more clear, less crazy. He kept saying he had to see Dumbledore.” Ron looks uncomfortable when he hears the name of the Dark Lord.
Harry looks up at the wooden beams of the Owlery. Many owls are gone. Some owls fly in through the windows with mice in their beaks. “If Snape hadn’t stopped me,” Harry says angrily, “we might have reached him in time.” “Maybe Snape didn’t want you to reach him,” Ron says quickly. Harry frowns. “What do you mean?”
“Well,” Ron says, “maybe he reached the forest first.” “Only if he turned into a bat,” Harry says. “He could probably do that,” Ron mutters. “We need to speak to Professor Moody,” Hermione says. “We need to know if he found Mr. Crouch.” “If he used the Mischief-Maker’s Map, it would be easy,” Harry says. “It would be impossible if Crouch had already left the grounds,” Ron says.
Hermione suddenly raises her hand. “Shh.” Someone is climbing the stairs to the Owlery. Two voices argue loudly. “That’s blackmail! We could get into serious trouble!” “We tried being polite. Now we don’t follow the rules anymore.” “If you write that letter, it is blackmail!” “Maybe. But you won’t complain if they pay us.”
The Owlery door opens. Fred and George walk inside. They stop when they see Harry, Ron, and Hermione. “What are you doing here?” Ron and Fred say at the same time. “We came to send a letter,” Harry and George answer together. “At this hour?” Hermione and Fred say.
Fred smiles. “Fine,” he says. “We won’t ask you questions if you don’t ask us questions." Fred is holding a letter. Harry looks at it, but Fred quickly covers the name. “Well,” Fred says politely, “don’t let us stop you.” Ron does not move. “Who are you blackmailing?” he asks. Fred’s smile disappears.
George answers quickly. “Don’t be stupid. We were joking.” “It didn’t sound like a joke,” Ron says. Fred and George look at each other. “Ron,” Fred says suddenly, “keep your nose out of our business.” “It is my business if you are blackmailing someone,” Ron says. “We told you,” George says calmly. “It was a joke.”
George takes the letter and ties it to an owl’s leg. He carries the owl to the window. The owl flies away. “Stop telling people what to do,” George says with a grin. “See you later.” Fred and George leave. Harry, Ron, and Hermione look at each other.
“Do you think they know something about Crouch?” Hermione whispers. “No,” Harry says. “If it was serious, they would tell Dumbledore.” Ron looks uncertain. “What?” Hermione asks. “Well… they really want money lately,” Ron says. “They want to open a joke shop.”
Hermione looks worried. “They wouldn’t break the law,” she says. “Are you sure?” Ron asks. Hermione does not look sure. “Maybe you should tell Percy,” she says quietly. “Tell Percy?” Ron says. “Are you crazy? He would report them to the Ministry.” Ron looks out the window. “Come on,” he says. “Let’s get breakfast.”
Later that morning, the three friends walk to Professor Moody’s classroom. Moody stands outside the door. “Professor Moody?” Harry calls. “Hello, Potter,” Moody says. His magical eye watches students walking past in the corridor. “Come inside,” Moody says. They enter the classroom.
“Did you find Mr. Crouch?” Harry asks. “No,” Moody says. “Did you use the Mischief-Maker’s Map?” Harry asks. “Of course,” Moody says. “He wasn’t anywhere on it.” “So he Disapparated?” Ron asks. “You can’t Disapparate on the grounds,” Hermione says. “There are other ways to disappear,” Moody says.
His magical eye turns toward Hermione. “You think like an Auror,” Moody says. “Good thinking.” Hermione smiles. “He wasn’t invisible,” Harry says. “The map shows invisible people.” “So he must have left the grounds,” Hermione says. “Maybe someone kidnapped him,” Ron says. “That might be a possibility,” Moody says. “So he could be anywhere?” Ron asks. “Exactly,” Moody says. He looks tired.
“The Ministry is searching for him now,” Moody says. “You focus on the third task.” Harry suddenly remembers the maze. “You should be good at it,” Moody says. “You have faced many dangers before.” “Ron and Hermione helped,” Harry says quickly. Moody smiles. “Keep practicing,” he says. “And remember: constant vigilance, Potter. Constant vigilance!”
The next morning, Sirius sends a reply. Harry reads the letter:
