persevere and whatever it was "You think this a...
persevere and whatever it was
"You think this a mere symbolic keepsake, then?"
"I suppose so," said Harry"What else could it be?"
"I'm asking the questions," said Scrimgeour, shifting his chair a little closer to the sofaDusk was really falling outside now; the marquee beyond the windows towered ghostly white over the hedge
"I notice that your birthday cake is in the shape of a Snitch," Scrimgeour said to Harry"Why is that?"
Hermione laughed derisively
"Oh, it can't be a reference to the fact Harry's a great Seeker, that's way too obvious," she said"There must be a secret message from Dumbledore hidden in the icing!"
"I don't think there's anything hidden in the icing," said Scrimgeour, "but a Snitch would be a very good hiding place for a small objectYou know why, I'm sure?"
Harry shrugged, Hermione, however, answered: Harry thought that answering questions correctly was such a deeply ingrained habit she could not suppress the urge
"Because Snitches have flesh memories," she said
"What?" fake tiffany heart drop earrings said Harry and Ron together; both considered Hermione's Quidditch knowledge negligible
"Correct," said Scrimgeour"A Snitch is not touched by bare skin before it is released, not even by the maker, who wears glovesIt carries an enchantment by which it can identify the first human to lay hands upon it, in case of a disputed captureThis Snitch" \a150\a150 he held up the tiny golden ball \a150\a150 "will remember your touch, Potter
It occurs to me that Dumbledore, who had prodigious magical skill, whatever his other faults, might have enchanted this Snitch so that it will open only for you
Harry's heart was beating rather fastHe was sure that Scrimgeour was rightHow could he avoid taking the Snitch with his bare hand in front of the Minister?
"You don't say anything," said Scrimgeour"Perhaps you already know what the Snitch contains?"
"No," said Harry, still wondering how he could appear to touch the Snitch without really doing soIf only he knew Legilimency, really knew it, and could read cartier pasha crono Hermione's mind; he could practically hear her brain whizzing beside him
"Take it," said Scrimgeour quietly
Harry met the Minister's yellow eyes and knew he had no option but to obeyHe held out his hand, and Scrimgeour leaned forward again and place the Snitch, slowly and deliberately, into Harry's palmAs Harry's fingers closed around the Snitch, its tired wings fluttered and were stillScrimgeour, Ron, and Hermione continued to gaze avidly at the now partially concealed ball, as if still hoping it might transform in some way
"That was dramatic," said Harry coollyBoth Ron and Hermione laughed
"That's all, then, is it?" asked Hermione, making to raise herself off the sofa
"Not quite," said Scrimgeour, who looked bad tempered now"Dumbledore left you a second bequest, Potter
"What is it?" asked Harry, excitement rekindling
Scrimgeour did not bother to read from the will this time
"The sword of Godric Gryffindor," he saidHermione and Ron both stiffenedHarry looked around for a sign of the ruby-encrusted omega watches hilt, but Scrimgeour did not pull the sword from the leather pouch, which in any case looked much too small to contain it
"So where is it?" Harry asked suspiciously
"Unfortunately," said Scrimgeour, "that sword was not Dumbledore's to give awayThe sword of Godric Gryffindor is an important historical artifact, and as such, belongs\a150\a150"
"It belongs to Harry!" said Hermione hotly"It chose him, he was the one who found it, it came to him out of the Sorting Hat\a150\a150"
"According to reliable historical sources, the sword may present itself to any worthy Gryffindor," said Scrimgeour"That does not make it the exclusive property of MrPotter, whatever Dumbledore may have decided Scrimgeour scratched his badly shaven cheek, scrutinizing Harry"Why do you think\a150\a150?"
"\a150\a150Dumbledore wanted to give me the sword?" said Harry, struggling to keep his temper"Maybe he thought it would look nice on my wall
"This is not a joke, Potter!" growled Scrimgeour"Was it because Dumbledore believed that coco chanel leather handbags only the sword of Godric Gryffindor could defeat the Heir of Slytherin? Did he wish to give you that sword, Potter, because he believed, as do many, that you are the one destined to destroy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"
"Interesting theory," said Harry"Has anyone ever tried sticking a sword in Voldemort? Maybe the Ministry should put some people onto that, instead of wasting their time stripping down Deluminators or covering up breakouts from AzkabanSo this is what you've been doing, Minister, shut up in your office, trying to break open a Snitch? People are dying - I was nearly one of them - Voldemort chased me across three countries, he killed Mad-Eye Moody, but there's no word about any of that from the Ministry, has there? And you still expect us to cooperate with you!"
"You go too far!" shouted Scrimgeour, standing up: Harry jumped to his feet tooScrimgeour limped toward Harry and jabbed him hard in the chest with the point of his wand; It singed a hole in Harry's T-shirt like a lit omega men watches cigarette