STRATEGIC CHANGE
They joined the queue of people being signed out by Filch, occasionally catching each others eye and grinning shiftily, but not talking to each other. Harry was relieved when they reached the fresh air, finding it easier to walk along in silence than just stand there looking awkward. It was a fresh, breezy sort of day and as they passed the Quidditch stadium, Harry glimpsed Ron and Ginny skimming over the stands and felt a horrible pang that he was not up there with them. You really miss it, dont you. said Cho. He looked around and saw her watching him. Yeah, sighed Harry. I do. Remember the first time we played against each other. she asked him. Yeah, said Harry, grinning. You kept blocking me. And Wood told you not to be a gentleman and knock me off my broom if you had to, said Cho, smiling reminiscently. I heard he play strategy games taken on by Pride of Portree, is that right. Nah, it was Puddlemere United, I saw him at the World Cup last year. Oh, I saw you there too, remember. We were on the same campsite. It was really good, wasnt it. The subject of the Quidditch World Cup carried them all the way down the drive and out through the gates. Harry could hardly believe how easy it was to talk strategy odin feast for her, no more difficult, in fact, than talking to Ron and Hermione, and he was just starting to feel confident and cheerful when a large gang of Slytherin girls passed them, including Pansy Parkinson. Potter and Chang. screeched Pansy to a chorus of snide giggles. Urgh, Chang, I dont think much of your taste. At least Diggory was goodlooking. They sped up, talking and shrieking in a pointed fashion with many exaggerated glances back at Harry and Cho, leaving an embarrassed silence in their wake. Harry could think of nothing else to say about Quidditch, and Cho, slightly flushed, was watching her feet. So. Epic games android dyou want to go. Harry asked as they entered Hogsmeade. The High Street was full of students ambling up and down, peering into the shop windows and messing about together on the pavements. Oh. I dont mind, said Cho, shrugging. Um. shall we just have a look in the shops or something. They wandered toward Dervish and Banges. A large poster had been stuck up in the window and a few Hogsmeaders were looking at it. They moved aside when Harry and Cho approached and Harry found himself staring once more at the ten pictures of the escaped Death Eaters. The poster (By Order of the Ministry of Magic) offered a thousand-Galleon reward to any witch or wizard with information relating to the recapture of any of the convicts pictured. Its funny, isnt it, said Cho in a low voice, also gazing up at the pictures of the Death Eaters. Remember when that Sirius Black escaped, and there were dementors all over Hogsmeade looking for him. And now ten Death Eaters are on the loose and there arent dementors anywhere. Yeah, said Harry, tearing his eyes away from Bellatrix Lestranges face to glance up and down the High Street. Yeah, it is weird. He was not sorry that there were no dementors nearby, but now he came to think of it, their absence was highly significant. They had not only let the Death Eaters escape, they were not bothering to look for them. It looked as though they really were outside Ministry control now. The ten escaped Death Eaters were staring out of every shop window he and Cho passed. It started to rain as they passed Scrivenshafts; cold, heavy drops of water kept hitting Harrys face and the back of his neck. Um. dyou want to get a coffee. said Cho tentatively, as the rain began to fall more heavily. Yeah, all right, said Harry, looking around. Where -. Oh, theres a really nice place just up here, havent you ever been to Madam Puddifoots. she said brightly, and she led him up a side road and into a small tea shop that Harry had never noticed before. It was a cramped, steamy little place where everything seemed to have been decorated with frills or bows. Harry was reminded unpleasantly of Umbridges office. Cute, isnt it. said Cho happily. Er. yeah, said Harry untruthfully. Look, shes decorated it for Valentines Day. said Cho, indicating a number of golden cherubs that were hovering over each of the small, circular tables, occasionally throwing pink confetti over the occupants. Aaah. They sat down at the last remaining table, which click to see more situated in the steamy window. Roger Davies, the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain, was sitting about a foot and a half away with a pretty blonde girl. They were holding hands. The sight made Harry feel uncomfortable, particularly when, looking around the tea shop, he saw that it was full of nothing but couples, all of them holding hands. Perhaps Cho would expect him to hold her hand. What can I get you, mdears. said Madam Puddifoot, a very stout woman with a shiny black bun, squeezing between their table and Roger Daviess with great difficulty. Two coffees, please, said Cho. In the time it took for their coffees to arrive, Roger Davies and his girlfriend started kissing over their sugar bowl. Harry wished they wouldnt; he felt that Davies was setting a standard with which Cho would soon expect him to compete. He felt his face growing hot and tried staring out of the window, but it was think, demeo pc edition commit steamed up he could not see the street click. To postpone the moment when he had to look at Cho he stared up at the ceiling as though examining the paintwork and received a handful of confetti in the face from their hovering cherub. After a few more painful minutes Cho mentioned Umbridge; Harry click to see more on the subject with relief and they passed a few happy moments abusing her, but the subject had already been so thoroughly canvassed during D. meetings it did not last very long. Silence fell again. Harry was very conscious of the slurping noises coming from the table next door and cast wildly around for something else to say. Er. listen, dyou want to come with me to the Three Broomsticks at lunchtime. Im meeting Hermione Granger there. Cho raised her eyebrows. Youre meeting Hermione Granger. Today. Yeah. Well, she asked me to, so I thought I would. Dyou want to come with me. She said it wouldnt matter if you did. Oh. well. that was nice of her. But Cho did not sound as though she thought it was nice at all; on the contrary, her tone was cold and all of a sudden she looked rather forbidding. A few more minutes passed in total silence, Harry drinking his coffee so fast that he would soon need a fresh cup. Next door, Roger Davies and his girlfriend seemed glued together by the lips. Chos hand was lying on the table beside her coffee, and Harry was feeling a mounting pressure to take hold of it. Just do it, he told himself, as a fount of mingled panic and excitement surged up inside his chest. Just reach out and grab it. Amazing how much more difficult it was to extend his arm twelve inches and touch her hand than to snatch a speeding Snitch from midair. But just as he moved his hand forward, Cho took hers off the table. She was now watching Roger Davies kissing Epic games android girlfriend with a mildly interested expression. He asked me out, you know, she said in a quiet voice. A couple of weeks ago. Roger. I turned him down, though. Harry, who had grabbed the sugar bowl to excuse his sudden lunging movement across the table, could not think why she was telling him this. If she wished she were sitting at the table next door being heartily kissed by Roger Davies, why had she agreed to come out with him. He said nothing. Their cherub threw another handful of confetti over them; some of it landed in the last cold dregs of coffee Harry had been about to steam cyberpunk 2077. I came in here with Cedric last year, said Cho. In the second or so it took for him to take in what she had said, Harrys insides had become glacial. He could not believe she wanted to talk about Cedric now, while kissing couples surrounded them and a cherub floated over their heads. Chos voice was rather higher when she spoke again. Ive been meaning to ask you for ages. Did Cedric - did he m-mmention me at all before he died. This was the very last subject on earth Harry wanted to discuss, and least of all with Cho. Well - no - he said quietly. There - there wasnt time for him to say anything. Erm. so. dyou. dyou get to see a lot of Quidditch in the holidays. You support the Tornados, right. His voice sounded falsely bright and cheery. To his horror, he saw that her eyes were swimming with tears again, just as they mobile download pes been after the last D. meeting before Christmas. Look, he said desperately, leaning in so that nobody else could overhear, lets not talk about Cedric right now. Lets talk about something else. But this, apparently, was quite the wrong thing to say. I thought, she said, tears spattering down onto the table. I thought youd u-u-understand. I need to talk about it. Surely you n-need to talk about it ttoo. I mean, you saw it happen, d-didnt you. Everything was going nightmarishly wrong; Roger Davies girlfriend had even unglued herself to look around at Cho crying. Well - I have talked about it, Harry said in a whisper, to Ron and Hermione, but - Oh, youll talk to Hermione Granger. she said shrilly, her face now shining with tears, and several more kissing couples broke apart to stare. But you wont talk to here. P-perhaps it would be best if we just. just p-paid and you went and met up with Hermione G-Granger, like you obviously want to. Harry stared at her, utterly bewildered, as she seized a frilly napkin and dabbed at her shining face with it. Cho. he said weakly, wishing Roger would seize his girlfriend and start kissing her again to stop her goggling at him and Cho. Go on, leave. she said, now crying into the napkin. I dont know why you asked me out in the first place if youre going to make arrangements to meet other girls right after me. How many are you meeting after Hermione. Its not like that. said Harry, and he was so relieved at finally understanding what she was annoyed about that he laughed, which he realized a split second too late was a mistake. Cho sprang to her feet. The whole tearoom was quiet, and everybody was watching them now. Ill see you around, Harry, she said dramatically, and hiccuping slightly she dashed to the door, wrenched it open, and hurried off into the pouring rain. Cho. Harry called after her, but the door had already swung shut behind her with a tuneful tinkle. There was total silence within the tea shop. Every eye was upon Harry. He threw a Galleon down onto the table, shook pink confetti out of his eyes, and followed Cho out of the door. It was raining hard now, war new game she was nowhere to be seen. He simply did not understand what had happened; half an hour ago they had been getting along fine. Women. he muttered angrily, sloshing down topic snowrunner pc join rain-washed street with his hands in his pockets. What did click here want to talk about Cedric for anyway. Why does she always want to drag up a subject that makes her act https://gameslikeclashofclans.cloud/free/omerta-city-of-gangsters.php a human hosepipe. He turned right grand theft v pc broke into a splashy run, and within minutes he was turning into the doorway of the Three Broomsticks. He knew he was too early to meet Hermione, but he thought it likely there would be someone in here with whom he could spend the intervening time. He shook his wet hair out of his eyes and looked around. Hagrid was sitting alone in a corner, looking morose. Hi, Hagrid. he said, when he had squeezed through the crammed tables and pulled up a chair beside him. Hagrid jumped and looked down at Harry as though he barely recognized him. Harry saw that he had two fresh cuts on his face and several new bruises. Oh, its you, Harry, said Hagrid. You all righ. Yeah, Im fine, lied Harry; in fact, next to this battered and mournful- looking Hagrid, he felt he did not have much to complain about. Er - are you okay. said Hagrid. Oh yeah, Im grand, Harry, grand. He gazed into the depths of his pewter tankard, which was the size of a large bucket, and sighed. Harry did not know what to say to him. They sat side by side in silence for a moment. Then Hagrid said abruptly, In the same boat, you an me, aren we, Harry. Er - said Harry. Yeah. Ive said it before. Both outsiders, like, said Hagrid, nodding wisely. An both orphans. Yeah. both orphans. He took a great swig from his tankard. Makes a diffrence, havin a decent family, he said. Me dad was decent. An your mum an dad were decent. If theyd lived, life woulda bin diffrent, eh. Yeah. I spose, said Harry cautiously. Hagrid seemed to be in a very strange mood. Family, said Hagrid gloomily. Whatever yeh say, bloods important. Epic games android he wiped a trickle of it out of his eye. Hagrid, said Harry, unable to stop himself, where are you getting all these injuries. said Hagrid, looking startled. Wha injuries. All those. said Harry, pointing at Hagrids face. Oh. thas jus normal bumps an bruises, Harry, said Hagrid dismissively. I got a rough job. He Epic games android his tankard, set it back upon the table, and got to his feet. Ill be seein yeh, Harry. Take care now. And he lumbered out of the pub looking wretched and then disappeared into the torrential rain. Harry watched him go, feeling miserable. Hagrid was unhappy and he was hiding something, but he seemed determined not to accept help. What was going on. But before Harry could think about the matter any further, he heard a voice calling his name. Harry. Harry, over here. Hermione was waving at him from the other this web page of the room.
He looked down at Professor Trelawney, who was still sobbing and choking on her trunk, and said, You are quite right, of course, Professor Umbridge. As High Inquisitor you have every right to dismiss my teachers. You do not, however, have the authority to send them away from the castle. I am afraid, he went on, with a courteous little bow, that the power to do that still resides with the headmaster, and it is my wish that Professor Trelawney continue to live at Hogwarts. At this, Professor Trelawney gave a wild little laugh in which a hiccup was barely hidden. No - no, Ill g-go, Dumbledore. I sh-shall l-leave Hogwarts and s-seek my fortune elsewhere - No, said Dumbledore sharply. It is my wish that you remain, Sybill. He turned to Professor McGonagall. Might I ask you to escort Sybill back upstairs, Professor McGonagall. Of course, said McGonagall. Up you get, Sybill. Professor Sprout came hurrying forward out of the crowd and grabbed Professor Trelawneys other arm. Together they guided her past Umbridge and up the marble stairs. Professor Flitwick went scurrying after them, his wand held out before him; he squeaked, Locomotor trunks. and Professor Trelawneys luggage rose into the air and proceeded up the staircase after her, Professor Flitwick bringing up the rear. Professor Umbridge was standing stock-still, staring at Dumbledore, who continued to smile benignly. And what, she said in a whisper that nevertheless carried all around the entrance hall, are learn more here going to do with her once I appoint a new Divination teacher who needs her lodgings. Oh, that wont be a check this out, said Dumbledore pleasantly. You see, I have already found us a new Divination teacher, and he will prefer lodgings on the ground floor. Youve found -. said Umbridge shrilly. Youve found. Might I remind you, Dumbledore, that under Educational Decree Twenty-two - - the Ministry has the right to appoint a suitable candidate if - and only if - the headmaster is unable to find one, said Dumbledore. And I am happy to say that on this occasion I have Paper io. May I introduce you. He turned to face the open front doors, through which night mist was now drifting. Harry heard hooves. There was a shocked murmur around the hall and those nearest the doors hastily moved even farther backward, some of them tripping over in their haste to clear a path for the newcomer. Through the mist came a face Harry had seen once before on a dark, dangerous night in the Forbidden Forest: white-blond hair and astonishingly blue eyes, the head and torso of a man joined to the palomino body of a horse. This is Firenze, said Dumbledore happily to a thunderstruck Umbridge. I think youll find him suitable. I CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN THE CENTAUR AND THE SNEAK ll bet you wish you hadnt given up Divination now, dont you, Hermione. asked Parvati, smirking. It was breakfast time a few days after the sacking of Paper io Trelawney, and Parvati was curling her eyelashes around her wand and examining the effect in the back of her spoon. They were to have their first lesson with Firenze that morning. Not really, said Hermione indifferently, who was reading the Daily Prophet. Ive never really liked horses. She turned a page of the newspaper, scanning its columns. Hes not a horse, hes a centaur. said Lavender, sounding shocked. A gorgeous centaur. sighed Parvati. Either way, hes still got four legs, said Hermione coolly. Anyway, I thought you two were all upset that Trelawney had gone. We are. Lavender assured her. We went up to her office to see her, we took her some daffodils - not the honking ones that Sprouts got, nice ones. How is she. asked Harry. Not very good, poor thing, said Lavender sympathetically. She was crying and saying shed rather leave the castle forever than stay here if Umbridge is still here, and I dont blame her. Umbridge was horrible to her, wasnt she. Ive got a feeling Umbridge has only just started being horrible, said Hermione darkly. Impossible, said Ron, who was tucking into a large plate of eggs and bacon. She cant get any worse than shes been already. You mark my words, shes going to want revenge on Dumbledore for appointing Paper io new teacher without consulting her, said Hermione, closing the newspaper. Especially another part-human. You saw the look on her face when she saw Firenze. After breakfast Hermione departed for her Arithmancy class and Harry and Ron followed Parvati and Lavender into the entrance hall, heading for Divination. Arent we going up to North Tower. asked Ron, looking puzzled, as Parvati bypassed the marble staircase. Parvati looked scornfully over her shoulder at him. How dyou expect Firenze to climb that ladder. Were in classroom eleven now, link was on the notice Paper io yesterday. Classroom eleven was situated in the ground-floor corridor leading off the entrance hall on the opposite side to the Great Hall. Harry knew it to be one of those classrooms that were never used regularly, and that it therefore had the slightly neglected feeling of a cupboard or storeroom. When he entered it right behind Ron, and found himself right in the middle of a forest clearing, he was therefore momentarily stunned. What the -. The classroom floor had become springily mossy and trees were growing out of it; their leafy rare god of war g2a sorry fanned across the ceiling and windows, so that the room was full of slanting shafts of soft, dappled, green light. The students who had already arrived were sitting on the earthy floor with their backs resting against tree trunks or boulders, arms wrapped around their knees or folded tightly across their chests, looking rather nervous. In the middle of the room, where there were no trees, stood Firenze. Harry Potter, he said, holding out a hand when Harry entered. Er - hi, said Harry, shaking hands with the centaur, who Paper io him unblinkingly through those astonishingly blue eyes but did not smile. Er - good to europa universalis board game you. And you, said the centaur, inclining his white-blond head. It was foretold that we would meet again. Harry noticed that there was the shadow of a hoof-shaped bruise on Firenzes chest. As he turned to join the rest of the class upon the floor, he saw that they were all looking at him with awe, apparently deeply impressed that really. summoners war chronicles with was on speaking terms with Firenze, whom they seemed to find intimidating. When the door was closed and the last student had sat down upon a tree stump beside the wastepaper basket, Firenze gestured around the room. Professor Dumbledore has kindly arranged this classroom for us, said Firenze, when everyone had settled down, in imitation of my natural habitat. I would have preferred to teach you in the Forbidden Forest, which was - until Monday - my home. but this is not possible.
I am sorry, I can help nothing. But it is assured, that you will find the correct decision. Do not despair.