HP meets at Hogwarts

Chapter 178 Dumbledore's Will

Chapter 170 Eight Dumbledore's Will

At dawn, the air was cool and the morning light was faint, and Harry was walking on a mountain road.Below, shrouded in thick fog, was a hazy town.Is the man he's looking for down there?He needed desperately, desperately, someone who knew the answer, who knew the answer to his question...

"Hey, wake up."

Harry opened his eyes.He was still lying on the cot in Ron's dark and dingy attic.The sun had just risen and it was still dark in the house.The little pig was sleeping soundly with his head buried under his little wings.The scar on Harry's forehead was throbbing with pain.

"You're talking in your sleep."

"is it?"

"Yeah. 'Grigorovitch.' You keep saying 'Grigorovich.'"

Harry wasn't wearing glasses, and Ron's face looked blurry.

"Who is Gregorovitch?"

"How do I know? You are the one talking in your sleep."

Harry rubbed his forehead, lost in thought.He had a vague feeling that he had heard the name before, but couldn't remember where.

"I think Voldemort is looking for him."

"Poor guy," said Ron excitedly.

Harry sat up, still rubbing his scar, wide awake now.He tried hard to recall the scene he had just seen in his dream, but he could only think of the outline of a stretch of mountains and a small village in a deep valley.

"I think he's abroad."

"Who? Gregorovitch?"

"Voldemort. I think he's looking for Gregorovich somewhere abroad. Doesn't look like England."

"Oh, maybe we can ask Ann about, uh, Scull then. He should know," said Ron. "Looks like he'll be here today."

"Oh? That's great." Harry sat up and put his glasses on.

"You get up first, my mother said that the tent will be set up today. The wedding scene will also be arranged. The Delacours will also come today."

It was past lunchtime, but Mr. Weasley hadn't come home yet.

"I hope Daddy comes back soon, Mum's getting fussy," Ron whispered to Harry and Hermione.At the moment, all three of them are sitting in the living room.They could see Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen looking at the clock on the wall from time to time, walking around the kitchen.

After a while, she said loudly into the drawing room, "I think we'd better not wait for Arthur, and eat now, he must have been delayed—"

"Hurry up!" Ron stood up immediately, and whispered, "It's too bad if we don't get to the dining room soon."

As soon as the three got up, they heard the sound of Fred George stomping down the stairs quickly.Charlie, who finally arrived at the restaurant, was slapped in the face by Mrs. Weasley.

Sure enough, you see.That's exactly the look Ron gave to Harry and Hermione when he served the soup.

Both of them lowered their heads and smiled.

But halfway through the meal, a ray of light flashed across the yard, onto the table, and became a bright silver mole, rearing up on its hind legs, and speaking in Mr. Weasley's voice.

"The Minister for Magic is with me. And with Scull."

The patron saint suddenly disappeared, and the people at the table looked at each other for a moment.

Mrs. Weasley looked puzzled.

"Minister—but why—? I don't understand—"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione all put down their bowls.As soon as they put down the bowl, three people suddenly appeared in the yard.Mr. Weasley was accompanied by Rufus Scrimgeour and Scull.

The three strode across the courtyard towards the dining room.

Scrimgeour looked thin and haggard, with a stern expression, and Skul, who followed beside him, pursed his lips tightly and looked tired.

"Sorry to interrupt," said Scrimgeour, stopping as he limped to the table.His eyes circled Harry, Ron, and Hermione, "I'll be straight. I want to talk to you alone."

He stared at Harry as he spoke, then turned to Ron, Hermione, "and Mr. Ron Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger."

The three subconsciously looked at Skul, who nodded slightly.Scrimgeour glanced at Scull, then turned to Mr. Weasley, "Is there a place to hide?"

Mrs. Weasley frowned and was about to say, let at least three of them finish their meal.But Mr. Weasley had already picked up the conversation.

"Yes, of course." said Mr. Weasley, looking a little nervous. "Well, the living room, the living room is fine."

"You go ahead," Scrimgeour said to Ron. "You don't have to accompany us, Arthur."

"Oh, okay then." Mr. Weasley rubbed his hands, sat on the chair, and looked at Skool indifferently.Scull nodded slightly, turned around and followed the few people.

The five people passed through the messy and crowded kitchen and entered the living room of the Burrow, and Scrimgeour remained silent.He had just settled down in the floppy, sunken armchair Mr. Weasley usually sat in when he cast a spell with a wave of his wand, and a circle of transparent light flashed around the living room.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat side by side on the sofa opposite Scrimgeour.No sooner had they settled down than Scrimgeour spoke.But he was speaking to Skool.

"According to our previous agreement?"

"I guarantee that the Order of the Phoenix doesn't know about this matter." Skool said, sitting on a high stool beside him, his tone was indifferent, and he couldn't hear any emotion, "Your divine sense of ingestion is the most powerful among Aurors. Okay, I know I'm not lying. Besides, haven't you guys checked it too? Don't worry, I'll just sit here and not talk the whole time. "

Scrimgeour snorted softly, and turned to the three of them again.

"I have a few questions for the three of you, and I think it's best to ask them one by one. You two—" he pointed at Harry and Hermione "—go up and wait upstairs, and I'll talk to Ron first. "

"We're not going anywhere," said Harry, with Hermione nodding furiously. "Talk to all three of us, or none of us."

Scrimgeour gave Harry a cold, examining look.After a while, he shrugged and cleared his throat, "Okay, let's talk about it together. I'm sure you know that I'm here for Albus Dumbledore's will."

Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other.

"It seems very unexpected! Don't you realize that Dumbledore left you something?"

"I—we both?" said Ron. "And me and Hermione?"

"Yeah, you all have—"

But Harry cut him off.

"Dumbledore has been dead for over a month, why did it take so long to give us what he left us?"

"Does that matter?" said Hermione, before Scrimgeour could reply. "They want to examine what he left us. You have no right to do that!" she said, her voice trembling slightly.

"Of course I have the right," said Scrimgeour contemptuously. "Under the Rightful Forfeiture Act, the Ministry of Magic has the power to confiscate things covered by wills—"

"That law was made to stop wizards from diverting items of the Dark Arts," said Hermione. "The Ministry of Magic should have conclusive evidence that the deceased's belongings are illegal before they can confiscate them! Do you mean that you think Dumbledore wants to leave Us something evil?"

"Are you planning a career in magical law in the future, Miss Granger?" Scrimgeour asked.

"No," retorted Hermione, "I want to do something good in the world!"

Ron laughed out loud.A smile flashed across Scull's face very quickly.Scrimgeour's eyes flicked to him and then looked away when Harry spoke.

"Now how come you've decided to let us get our stuff again? No excuse to keep them?"

"No, it's because the 31-day period is up," said Hermione immediately. "They can't keep things longer than that unless they can prove they're dangerous. Right?"

"Can you say you're close to Dumbledore, Ron?" said Scrimgeour, ignoring Hermione.Ron looked surprised.

"Me? No - not too intimate...it's always been Harry..."

Ron turned to look at Harry and Hermione, only to see Hermione throw him a "Shut up!" look, but the damage was done: Scrimgeour seemed to hear what he expected and needed.He jumped at Ron's answer like a hungry bird.

"If you and Dumbledore weren't very close, how do you explain that he left you gifts in his will? He bequeathed things to a few people. Most of his belongings—his private library, his Magical instruments and other personal possessions - left to Hogwarts. Why do you think he thinks of you differently?"

"I...don't know," said Ron, "I...I said we weren't very close...I mean I think he likes me..."

"You're too modest, Ron," said Hermione. "Dumbledore likes you very much."

Scrimgeour watched the three, then reached into the cloak and pulled out a drawstring pouch.He took out a roll of parchment from inside, looked around, unfolded it and read aloud:

"'The will of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore...'Yes, here'...my Deluminator is left to Ron Billiers Way Sly, hope he remembers me when he uses it.'”

Scrimgeour pulled what looked like a silver lighter from his bag.Scrimgeour leaned forward and handed the Deluminator to Ron, who took it and looked at it in his hand, dumbfounded.

"It's a valuable thing," said Scrimgeour, looking at Ron. "It might even be unique. It must have been designed by Dumbledore himself. Why would he leave you with something so rare?" "

Ron shook his head, bewildered.

"Dumbledore must have had thousands of pupils," Scrimgeour demanded stubbornly, "but he only left gifts for you three in his will. Why is that? Mr. Weasley, he thinks you What will he do with his Deluminator?"

"Put the lights out, I suppose," murmured Ron. "What else could I do with it?"

Scrimgeour apparently had no suggestion either.He squinted at Ron for a moment, then turned to Dumbledore's will.

"'My Tales of Beedle the Bard is left to Miss Hermione Jane Granger, in the hope that she will find it interesting and instructive.'"

Scrimgeour took another small book out of the bag. The book looked very worn, the cover was spotted and peeled off in several places.Hermione took the book from Scrimgeour without a word, put it on her lap, and looked down.

"Why do you think Dumbledore left you the book, Miss Granger?" Scrimgeour asked.

"He...he knows I like books," said Hermione muffled, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

"But why this book?"

"I don't know, he must think I'd like it."

"Have you talked to Dumbledore about ciphers and other ways of delivering secret information?"

"No," said Hermione, still wiping her eyes with her sleeve, "if the Ministry of Magic hasn't discovered the code hidden in this book for thirty-one days, I'm afraid I can't either."

Scrimgeour squinted at Hermione for a moment, then turned to the will.

"'I leave it to Harry James Potter,'" he read, "'the Snitch he caught at his first Quidditch match at Hogwarts, to remind him of The rewards of perseverance and skill.'”

Scrimgeour produced the little golden ball, the size of a walnut, and flapped its silver wings limply.

"Why did Dumbledore leave you the Snitch?" Scrimgeour asked.

"I don't know," said Harry, "probably for the reasons you read just now... to remind me of what... can be gained if I just have perseverance."

"So you think it's just a token souvenir?"

"I suppose so," said Harry, "what else could it be?"

"I'm asking you." Scrimgeour moved the chair a little closer to the sofa.

Harry shook his head.

Scrimgeour stared at Harry and said, "The Snitch itself is an excellent hiding place for small things. I'm sure you know why?"

Harry shrugged, but Hermione responded.

"Because the Snitch has physical memory," said Hermione.

"What?" Harry and Ron asked simultaneously.They all thought that Hermione's Quidditch knowledge was pitifully small.

"Correct," said Scrimgeour, "the Snitch hadn't been touched by the skin of a woman before he was released, not even by the creators, who were all wearing gloves. The Snitch has a magic in it that recognizes The first person to touch it with his hand, in case there is any dispute over the catch. The Snitch—” he held up the little golden ball, “—will remember your touch, Potter. It occurred to me, Dumbledore. Although Lido has such and other shortcomings, his magic skills are very superb, he probably cast a spell on this snitch, and only you can open it."

Harry's heart was beating wildly.He believed that Scrimgeour's analysis was correct.How could he avoid taking the Snitch with his bare hands in front of the Minister?

"You don't say anything," said Scrimgeour. "Do you already know what's in the Snitch?"

"Don't know," said Harry, still wondering how he could pretend to touch the Snitch without actually touching it.If you know and be proficient in Legilimency spells, you can read Hermione's thoughts.He could almost hear Hermione's brain whirring beside him.

"Take it," Scrimgeour said softly.

Harry met the Minister's eyes and knew he had no choice but to obey.He held out his hand, and Scrimgeour leaned forward again, placing the Snitch slowly and carefully in Harry's palm.

Nothing happened.Harry wrapped his fingers around the Snitch, and the Snitch flapped its tired wings a few times before it stopped moving.Scrimgeour, Ron, and Hermione continued to stare eagerly at the golden ball in Harry's hands, still seeming to hope that it would change.Scull just watched quietly the whole time, as if what happened had nothing to do with him.

"It's dramatic," said Harry coldly.Ron and Hermione both laughed.

"Are you done?" Hermione asked, struggling to get up from the couch.

"It's not over yet," said Scrimgeour, and he glanced over his shoulder at Scull, who gave him the same look back.Scrimgeour seemed a little annoyed, "Dumbledore bequeathed you something, Potter."

"What is it?" Harry asked, feeling excited again.

Scrimgeour did not read the will this time.

"Godric Gryffindor's sword," he said.

Both Hermione and Ron froze.Harry turned to look for the ruby-studded hilt, but Scrimgeour hadn't pulled the sword from the leather pouch, and the pouch was too small to hold the sword.

"Where is it?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"Unfortunately," said Scrimgeour, "Dumbledore has no right to gift the sword. Godric Gryffindor's sword is an important historical artifact, it belongs to—"

"It belongs to Harry!" said Hermione excitedly. "It chose Harry. Harry found it. It came out of the Sorting Hat to find Harry—"

"According to reliable historical sources," said Scrimgeour, "the sword was presented to every outstanding Gryffindor student." Scrimgeour said, "that does not make it the personal property of Mr. Potter, regardless How does Dumbledore decide." Scrimgeour scratched his unshaven cheeks and looked at Harry, "Why do you say—"

"—Dumbledore wants to give me the sword?" said Harry, trying to hold back his anger. "He probably thought it would look nice hanging on my wall."

"This is no joke, Potter!" Scrimgeour growled. "Did Dumbledore believe that only Godric Gryffindor's sword could defeat the Heir of Slytherin? Potter, he wishes to give you the sword." , is it because he, like many others, believes that you are doomed to destroy the one who can't even be named?"

"Interesting theory," said Harry, "has anyone ever tried to stab Voldemort with a sword? Maybe the Ministry of Magic should send someone to do that instead of wasting all day dismantling Deluminators. Turns out you're Doing this, Minister, shutting yourself up in an office, racking your brains to open a Snitch? How to keep Dumbledore's relics? Dead people everywhere - but the Ministry doesn't say a word about these things, does it?"

"You've gone too far!" Scrimgeour cried, standing up and pointing his wand at Harry's chest.Harry jumped up too.

"Minister." Skool's deep voice sounded at the right time.

Scrimgeour's heavy breathing was especially noticeable in the quiet room. He looked at Skul, and then put away his wand.After a while he said, "I... I regret the way I treated you just now."

Harry didn't say anything, just stood there with a cold face.

Scrimgeour then looked at no one, but turned without a word, and limped out of the room.

Taking advantage of this stall, Scull pointed to the position of the watch on his left hand to Hermione.Hermione nodded.

Follow Scrimgeour out of the back door of the Burrow, and Apparate into a narrow alley.There is a direct link to the Ministry of Magic here.Scrimgeour looked at Scull and said, "You really don't know Dumbledore's plans?"

"All I know is that the current goal of the Order of the Phoenix is ​​to save more people, help more people and protect itself."

After staring at Skul for a long time, Scrimgeour finally sighed, "If possible, I would like to join you."

"You were a fearless Auror, then head of the Auror Office, and now Minister for Magic. I don't think you need to join us," said Scull, adding, "Besides you're so unreasonable." I like Dumbledore."

Scrimgeour froze for a moment, then lost his mind for a moment.

"I almost forgot," said Scrimgeour suddenly.

"Forgot what?"

"I'm an Auror." Scrimgeour looked up and said, the way he looked at Skul was a little different from the past, no longer full of anxiety and restlessness.

Skool raised his eyebrows and said nothing.

"I don't know how Dumbledore found you," said Scrimgeour.

"Take that as an appreciation," Scull said. "Our agreement is still in force. You know the premise, but I have to remind you again."

"Absolutely no written information and no disclosure to anyone other than me," Scrimgeour said. "Be vigilant at all times, and you've done a good job."

"It's always right to be cautious," Scull said. "That's all for today. I have other things to do. By the way, you did a good job protecting the Muggle subway tracks yesterday."

"It's not easy to hear your praise once."

"Each to each other," Scull said, "see you next time."

After finishing speaking, without waiting for Scrimgeour to reply, Skool transformed into a shadow and left.

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