Strategic leadership
They had been given special, new quills for the exams, which had been bewitched with an Anti-Cheating spell. They had practical exams as well. Professor Flitwick called them one by one into his class to see if they could make a pineapple tap-dance across a desk. Professor McGonagall watched them turn a mouse into a snuffbox - points were given for how pretty the snuffbox was, but taken away if it had whiskers. Snape made them all nervous, breathing down their necks while they tried to remember how to make a Forgetfulness potion. Harry did the best he could, trying to ignore the stabbing pains in his forehead, which had been bothering him ever since his trip into the forest. Neville thought Harry had a bad case of exam nerves because Harry couldnt sleep, but the truth was that Harry kept being woken by his old nightmare, except that it was now worse than ever because there was a hooded figure dripping blood in it. Maybe it was because they hadnt seen what Harry had seen in the forest, or because they didnt have scars burning on their foreheads, but Ron and Hermione didnt seem as worried about the Stone as Harry. The idea of Voldemort certainly scared them, but he didnt keep visiting them in dreams, and they were so busy with their studying they didnt have much time to fret about what Snape or anyone else might be up to. Their very last exam was History of Magic. One hour of answering questions about batty old wizards whod invented self-stirring cauldrons and theyd be free, free for chess ml whole wonderful week until their exam results came out. When the ghost of Professor Binns told them to put down their quills and roll up their parchment, Harry couldnt help cheering with the rest. That was far easier than I thought it would be, said Hermione as they joined the crowds flocking out onto the sunny grounds. I neednt have learned about the 1637 Werewolf Code Modern strategy games Conduct or the uprising of Elfric the Eager. Hermione always liked to go through their exam papers afterward, but Ron said this made him feel ill, so they wandered down to the lake and flopped under a tree. The Weasley twins and Lee Jordan were tickling the tentacles of a giant squid, which was basking in the warm shallows. No more studying, Ron sighed happily, stretching out on the grass. You could look more cheerful, Harry, weve got a week before we find out how badly weve done, theres no need to worry yet. Harry was rubbing his forehead. I wish I knew what this means. he burst out angrily. My scar keeps hurting - its happened before, but never as often as this. Go to Madam Pomfrey, Hermione suggested. Im not ill, said Harry. I think its a warning. it means dangers coming. Ron couldnt get worked up, it was too hot. Harry, relax, Hermiones right, the Stones safe as long as Crusader android stronghold around. Anyway, weve never had any proof Snape found out how to get past Fluffy. He nearly had his leg ripped off once, hes not going to Modern strategy games it again in a hurry. And Neville will play Quidditch for England before Hagrid lets Dumbledore down. Harry nodded, but he couldnt shake off a lurking feeling that there was something hed forgotten to do, something important. When he tried to explain this, Hermione said, Thats just the exams. Visit web page woke up last night android games was halfway through my Transfiguration notes before I remembered wed done that one. Harry was quite sure the unsettled feeling didnt have anything to do with work, though. Https://gameslikeclashofclans.cloud/games/island-games-pc.php watched an owl flutter toward the school across the bright blue sky, a note clamped in its mouth. Hagrid was the only one who ever sent him letters. Hagrid would never betray Dumbledore. Hagrid would never tell anyone how to get past Fluffy. never. but - Harry suddenly jumped to his feet. Wherere you going. said Ron sleepily. Ive just thought of something, said Harry. He had turned white. Weve got to go and see Hagrid, now. Why. panted Hermione, hurrying to keep up. Dont you think its a bit odd, said Harry, scrambling up the grassy slope, that what Hagrid wants more than anything else is a dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have an egg in his pocket. How many people wander around with dragon eggs if its against wizard law. Lucky they found Hagrid, dont you think. Why didnt I see it before. What are you talking about. said Ron, but Harry, sprinting across the grounds toward the forest, didnt answer. Hagrid was sitting in an armchair outside his house; his trousers and sleeves were rolled up, and he was shelling peas into a large bowl. Hullo, he said, smiling. Finished yer exams. Got time fer a drink. Yes, please, said Ron, but Harry cut him off. No, were in a hurry. Hagrid, Ive got to ask you something. You know that night you won Norbert. What did the stranger you were playing cards with look like. Dunno, said Hagrid casually, he wouldn take his cloak off. He saw the three of them look stunned and raised his eyebrows. Its not that unusual, yeh get a lot o funny folk in the Hogs Head - thats one o the pubs down in the village. Mighta bin a dragon dealer, mightn he. I never saw his face, he kept his hood up. Harry sank down next to the bowl of peas. What did you talk to him about, Hagrid. Did you mention Hogwarts at all. Mighta come up, said Hagrid, frowning as he tried to remember. Yeah. he asked what I did, an I told him I was gamekeeper here. He asked a bit about the sorta creatures I look after. check this out I told him. an I said what Id always really wanted was this web page dragon. an then. I can remember too well, cause he kept buyin me drinks. Lets see. yeah, then he said he had the dragon egg an we could play cards fer it if I wanted. but he had ter be sure I could handle it, he didn want it ter go ter any old home. So I told him, after Fluffy, a dragon would be easy. And did he - did he seem interested in Fluffy. Harry asked, trying to keep his voice calm. Well - yeah - how many three-headed dogs dyeh meet, even around Hogwarts. So I told him, Fluffys a piece o cake if yeh know how to calm him down, jus play him a bit o music an hell go straight off ter sleep - Hagrid suddenly looked horrified. I shouldnta told yeh that. he blurted out. Forget I said it. Hey - wherere yeh goin. Harry, Ron, and Hermione didnt speak to each other at all until click at this page came to a halt in the entrance hall, which seemed very cold and gloomy after the grounds. Weve got to go to Dumbledore, said Harry. Hagrid told that stranger how to get past Fluffy, and it was either Snape or Voldemort under that cloak - it mustve been easy, once hed got Hagrid drunk. I just hope Dumbledore believes us. Firenze might Modern strategy games us up if Bane doesnt stop him. Wheres Dumbledores office. They looked around, as if hoping to see a sign pointing them in the right direction. They had never been told where Dumbledore lived, nor did they know anyone who had been sent to see him. Well just have to - Harry began, but a voice suddenly rang across the hall. What are you three doing inside. It was Professor McGonagall, carrying a large pile of books. We want to see Professor Dumbledore, said Hermione, rather bravely, Harry and Ron thought. See Professor Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall repeated, as though this was a very fishy thing to want to do. Why. Harry swallowed - now what. Its sort of secret, he said, but he wished at once he hadnt, because Professor McGonagalls nostrils flared. Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago, she said coldly. He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once. Source gone. said Harry frantically. Now. Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, he has many demands on his time - But this is important. Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Potter. Look, said Harry, throwing caution to the winds, Professor - its about the Sorcerers Stone - Whatever Professor McGonagall had expected, it wasnt that. The books she was carrying tumbled out of her arms, but she didnt pick them up. How do you know -. she spluttered. Professor, I think - I know - that Sn - that someones going to try and steal the Stone. Ive got to talk to Professor Dumbledore. She eyed him with a mixture of shock and suspicion. Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow, she said finally. I dont know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, its too well protected. But Professor - Potter, I know what Im talking about, she said shortly. She bent down and gathered up the fallen books. I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine. But they didnt. Its tonight, said Harry, once he was sure Professor McGonagall was out of earshot. Snapes going through the trapdoor tonight. Hes found out everything he needs, and now hes got Dumbledore out of the way. He sent that note, I bet the Ministry of Magic will get a real shock when Dumbledore turns up. But what can we - Hermione gasped. Harry and Ron wheeled round. Snape was standing there. Good afternoon, he said smoothly. They stared at him. You shouldnt be inside on a day like this, he said, with an odd, twisted smile. We were - Harry began, without any idea what he was going to say. You want to be more careful, said Snape. Hanging around like this, people will think youre up to something. And Gryffindor really cant afford to lose any more points, can it. Harry flushed. They turned to go outside, but Snape called them back. Be warned, Potter - any more nighttime wanderings and I will personally make sure you are expelled. Good day to you. He strode off in the direction of the staffroom. Out on the stone steps, Harry turned to the others. Right, heres what weve got to do, he whispered urgently. One of us has got to keep an eye on Snape - wait outside the staffroom and follow him if he leaves it. Hermione, youd better do that. Why me. Its obvious, said Ron. You can pretend to be waiting for Professor Flitwick, click know. He put on a high voice, Oh Professor Flitwick, Im so worried, I think I got question fourteen b wrong. Oh, shut up, said Hermione, but she agreed to go and watch out for Snape. And wed better stay outside the third-floor corridor, Harry told Ron. Come on. But that part of the plan didnt work. No sooner had they reached the door separating Fluffy from the rest of the school than Professor McGonagall turned up again and this time, she lost her temper. I suppose you think youre harder to get past than a pack of enchantments. she stormed. Enough of this nonsense. If I hear youve come anywhere near here again, Ill take another fifty points from Gryffindor. Yes, Weasley, from my own House. Harry and Ron went back to the common room. Harry had just said, At least Hermiones on Snapes tail, when the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open and Hermione came in. Im sorry, Harry. she wailed. Snape came out and asked me what I was doing, so I said I was waiting for Flitwick, and Snape went to get him, and Ive only just got away, I dont know where Snape went. Well, thats it then, isnt it. Harry said. The other two stared at him. He was pale and his eyes were glittering. Im going out of here tonight and Im going to try and get to the Stone first. Youre mad. said Ron. You cant. said Hermione. After what McGonagall and Snape have said. Youll be expelled. SO WHAT. Harry shouted. Dont you understand. If Snape gets hold of the Stone, Voldemorts coming back. Havent you heard what it was like when he was trying to take over. There wont be any Hogwarts to get expelled from. Hell flatten it, or turn it into a school for the Dark Arts. Losing points doesnt matter anymore, cant you see. Dyou think hell leave you and your families alone if Gryffindor wins the House Cup. If I get caught before I can get to the Stone, well, Ill have to go back to the Dursleys and wait for Voldemort to find me there, its only dying a bit later than I would have, because Im never going over to the Dark Side. Im going through that trapdoor tonight and nothing you two say is going to stop me. Voldemort killed my parents, remember.
Said Lupin as the boggart landed on the floor as a cockroach. Crack. Snape was back. This time Neville charged forward looking determined. Riddikulus. he shouted, and they had a split seconds view of Snape in his lacy dress before Neville let out a great Ha. of laughter, and the boggart exploded, burst into a thousand tiny wisps of smoke, and was gone. Excellent. cried Professor Lupin as Civ games ranked class broke into applause. Excellent, Neville. Well done, everyone. Let me see. five points to Gryffindor for every person to tackle the boggart - ten for Neville because he did it twice. and five each to Hermione and Harry. But I didnt do anything, said Harry. You and Hermione answered my questions correctly at the start of the class, Harry, Lupin said lightly. Very well, everyone, an excellent lesson. Homework, kindly read the chapter on boggarts and summarize topic cocwiki that for me. to be handed in on Monday. That will be all. Talking excitedly, the class left the staffroom. Harry, however, wasnt feeling cheerful. Professor Lupin had deliberately stopped him from tackling the boggart. Why. Was it because hed seen Harry collapse on the train, and thought he wasnt up to much. Had he thought Harry would pass out again. But no one else seemed to have noticed anything. Did you see me take that banshee. shouted Seamus. And the hand. said Dean, waving his own around. And Snape in that hat. And my mummy. I wonder why Professor Lupins frightened of crystal balls. said Lavender thoughtfully. Civ games ranked was the best Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson weve ever had, wasnt it. said Ron excitedly as they made their way back to the classroom to get their bags. He seems like a very good teacher, said Hermione approvingly. But I wish I could have had a turn with the boggart - What would it have been for you. said Ron, sniggering. A piece of homework that only got nine out of ten. I CHAPTER EIGHT FLIGHT OF THE FAT LADY n no time at all, Defense Against the Dark Arts had become most peoples favorite class. Only Draco Malfoy and his gang of Slytherins had anything bad to say about Professor Lupin. Look at the state of his robes, Malfoy would say in a loud whisper as Professor Lupin passed. He dresses like our old house-elf. But no one else cared that Professor Lupins robes were patched and frayed. His click the following article few lessons were just as interesting as the first. After boggarts, they studied Red Caps, nasty little goblinlike creatures that lurked wherever there had been bloodshed: in the dungeons of castles and the potholes of deserted battlefields, waiting to bludgeon those click to see more Civ games ranked gotten lost. From Red Caps they moved on to kappas, creepy water-dwellers that looked like scaly monkeys, with webbed hands itching to strangle unwitting waders in their ponds. Harry only wished he was as happy with some of his other classes. Worst of all was Potions. Snape was in a particularly vindictive mood these days, and no one was in any doubt why. The story of the boggart assuming Snapes shape, and the way that Neville had dressed it in his grandmothers clothes, had traveled through the school like wildfire. Snape didnt seem to find it funny. His eyes flashed menacingly at the very mention of Professor Lupins name, and he was bullying Neville worse than ever. Harry was also growing to dread the hours he spent in Professor Trelawneys stifling tower room, deciphering lopsided shapes and symbols, trying to ignore the way Professor Trelawneys enormous eyes filled with tears every time she looked at him. He couldnt like Professor Trelawney, even though she was treated with respect bordering on reverence by many of the class. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown had taken to haunting Professor Trelawneys tower room at lunchtimes, and always returned with annoyingly superior looks on their faces, as though they knew things the others didnt. They had also started using hushed voices whenever they spoke to Harry, as though he were on his deathbed. Nobody really liked Care of Magical Creatures, which, after the actionpacked first class, had become extremely dull. Hagrid seemed to have lost his confidence. They were now spending lesson after lesson learning how to look after flobberworms, which had to be some of the most boring creatures in existence. Why would anyone bother looking after them. said Ron, after yet another hour of poking shredded lettuce down the flobberworms slimy throats. At the start of October, however, Harry had something else to occupy him, something so enjoyable it more than made up for his unsatisfactory classes. The Quidditch season was approaching, and Oliver Wood, Captain of the Gryffindor team, called a meeting one Thursday evening to discuss tactics for the new season. There were seven people on a Quidditch team: three Chasers, whose job it was to score goals by putting the Quaffle (a red, soccer-sized ball) through one of the fifty-foot-high hoops at each end of the field; two Beaters, who were equipped with heavy bats to repel the Bludgers (two heavy black balls that zoomed around trying to attack the players); a Keeper, who defended the goalposts, and the Seeker, who had the hardest job of all, that of catching the Golden Snitch, a tiny, winged, walnut-sized ball, whose capture ended the game and earned the Seekers team an extra one hundred and fifty points. Oliver Wood was a burly seventeen-year-old, now in his seventh and final year at Hogwarts. There was a quiet sort Civ games ranked desperation in his voice as he addressed his six fellow team members in the chilly locker rooms on the edge of the darkening Quidditch field. This is our last chance - my last chance - to win the Quidditch Cup, he told them, striding up and down in front of them. Ill be leaving at the end of this year. Ill never get another shot at it. Gryffindor hasnt won for seven years now. Okay, so weve had the worst luck in the world - injuries - then the tournament getting called off last year. Wood swallowed, as though the memory still brought a lump to his throat. But we also know weve got the best - ruddy - team - in - the - school, he said, punching a fist into his other hand, the old manic glint back in his eye. Weve got three superb Chasers. Wood pointed at Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, and Katie Bell. Weve got two unbeatable Beaters. Stop it, Oliver, youre embarrassing us, said Fred and George Weasley together, pretending to blush. And weve got a Seeker who has never failed to win us a match. Wood rumbled, glaring at Harry with a kind of furious pride. And me, he added as an afterthought. We think youre very good too, Oliver, said George. Spanking good Keeper, said Fred. The point is, Wood went on, resuming his pacing, the Quidditch Cup should have had our name on it these last two years. Ever since Harry joined the team, Ive thought the thing was in the bag. But we havent got it, and this years the last chance well get to finally see our name on the thing. Wood spoke so dejectedly that even Fred and George looked sympathetic. Oliver, this years our year, said Fred. Well do it, Oliver. said Angelina. Definitely, said Harry. Full of determination, the team started training sessions, three evenings a week. The weather was getting colder and wetter, the nights darker, but no amount of mud, wind, or rain could tarnish Harrys wonderful vision of finally winning the huge, silver Quidditch Cup.
You realize, what have written?