Hermione rushes to the Hospital Wing where she remains quiet, is
white-faced and has clearly been crying. She had been fighting
with Ron before his near-death. The last things they had said and
done to each other were not very nice, that’s not how you want
your final moments with someone to be spent.
I think, if anything, this event has finally made it hit home for
them all that this is dangerous and that they’re not all safe.
You can’t waste the time you have, because you don’t know if you’
ll get any more.
It was pure luck that there happened to be a bezoar in the room
or else Ron would surely have died.
Fred and George are there with Harry, Hermione and Ginny. Fred
and George were in Hogsmeade waiting to give Ron his birthday
present. They’re thinking of buying Zonko’s storefront in the
village.
Together they speculate on who the poisoner is and who was meant
to be targeted. They go through several scenarios: to kill Harry,
Slug’s a Death Eater, the Death Eaters are after Slug, to kill
Dumbledore.
Hermione speaks for the first time pointing out that the poisoner
must not know Slug very well because they would have known that
Slug would keep something that tasty for himself. Ron starts to
come out of it a bit and, hearing her voice, mumbles her name,
but after a moment falls back into unconsciousness.
Hagrid bounds in, extremely worried. He’s only just heard because
Aragog’s condition has worsened and he was out reading to him in
the Forbidden Forest. He offers the idea that the attacks may be
linked through the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
Hermione doesn’t think the attacks are linked through Quidditch,
but she does think they are linked. She points out that the
attacker is even more dangerous because he doesn’t care how many
people get hurt before he reaches his victim.
Arthur and Molly, straight from their meeting with Dumbledore,
thank Harry for now having saved at one third of the members of
the Weasley family.
Hermione, Harry and Hagrid leave the Weasleys to sit a vigil at
Ron’s bedside. Hagrid mentions to Hermione and Harry that the
school might be closed. He also lets slip that Dumbledore and
Snape have been arguing.
Harry jumps all over this news. He makes Hagrid tell him what was
said between Snape and Dumbledore. Hagrid clearly misspoke and
tries to worm out of it, attempting a guilt trip, but Harry says
it won’t work. Hagrid is now stuck.
agreed ter do it an’ that was all there was to it. Pretty firm
with him. An’ then he said summat abou’ Snape makin’
investigations in his House, in Slytherin. Well, there’s nothin’
strange about’ that!” Hagrid added hastily, as Harry and Hermione
exchanged looks full of meaning. “All the Heads o’ Houses were
asked ter look inter that necklace business –”
Page 405-406, U.S. Hardcover Edition
Filch comes and chases the kids away. Harry and Hermione schlep
back to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione bids him goodnight, but Harry
remains in the common room theorizing the possible meanings of
this argument.
white-faced and has clearly been crying. She had been fighting
with Ron before his near-death. The last things they had said and
done to each other were not very nice, that’s not how you want
your final moments with someone to be spent.
I think, if anything, this event has finally made it hit home for
them all that this is dangerous and that they’re not all safe.
You can’t waste the time you have, because you don’t know if you’
ll get any more.
It was pure luck that there happened to be a bezoar in the room
or else Ron would surely have died.
Fred and George are there with Harry, Hermione and Ginny. Fred
and George were in Hogsmeade waiting to give Ron his birthday
present. They’re thinking of buying Zonko’s storefront in the
village.
Together they speculate on who the poisoner is and who was meant
to be targeted. They go through several scenarios: to kill Harry,
Slug’s a Death Eater, the Death Eaters are after Slug, to kill
Dumbledore.
Hermione speaks for the first time pointing out that the poisoner
must not know Slug very well because they would have known that
Slug would keep something that tasty for himself. Ron starts to
come out of it a bit and, hearing her voice, mumbles her name,
but after a moment falls back into unconsciousness.
Hagrid bounds in, extremely worried. He’s only just heard because
Aragog’s condition has worsened and he was out reading to him in
the Forbidden Forest. He offers the idea that the attacks may be
linked through the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
Hermione doesn’t think the attacks are linked through Quidditch,
but she does think they are linked. She points out that the
attacker is even more dangerous because he doesn’t care how many
people get hurt before he reaches his victim.
Arthur and Molly, straight from their meeting with Dumbledore,
thank Harry for now having saved at one third of the members of
the Weasley family.
Hermione, Harry and Hagrid leave the Weasleys to sit a vigil at
Ron’s bedside. Hagrid mentions to Hermione and Harry that the
school might be closed. He also lets slip that Dumbledore and
Snape have been arguing.
Harry jumps all over this news. He makes Hagrid tell him what was
said between Snape and Dumbledore. Hagrid clearly misspoke and
tries to worm out of it, attempting a guilt trip, but Harry says
it won’t work. Hagrid is now stuck.
- “Well – I jus’ heard Snape sayin’ Dumbledore took too much
- “Do what?”
“I dunno, Harry, it sounded like Snape was feelin’ a bit
agreed ter do it an’ that was all there was to it. Pretty firm
with him. An’ then he said summat abou’ Snape makin’
investigations in his House, in Slytherin. Well, there’s nothin’
strange about’ that!” Hagrid added hastily, as Harry and Hermione
exchanged looks full of meaning. “All the Heads o’ Houses were
asked ter look inter that necklace business –”
Page 405-406, U.S. Hardcover Edition
Filch comes and chases the kids away. Harry and Hermione schlep
back to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione bids him goodnight, but Harry
remains in the common room theorizing the possible meanings of
this argument.
Perhaps Dumbledore didn’t tell Harry because he didn’t want
anything to distract from the lessons, or retrieving the memory
from Slug, or he didn’t want Harry to do anything rash, or he
didn’t think it right to confide his suspicions in 16 year olds.
Cormac MacLaggen interrupts Harry’s ponderings. MacLaggen has
heard about Ron and wants the Keeper position for the next game.
He immediately wants to talk strategies. Harry excuses himself
and goes to bed. Poor Harry, never a dull moment…
Almost more annoying is Lavender and her frequent attempts to
speak to Harry about Ron. At first, she was irritated that no one
saw fit to inform the girlfriend that Ron was poisoned and in the
Hospital Wing. However, she switched tactics, trying to corner
Harry into telling her about Ron’s feelings about her and their
relationship. Harry asks why she just doesn’t talk to Ron about
it, she tells him Ron’s always asleep when she goes to visit.
Here’s the Lavender Rant: I mentioned earlier that it’s a good
bet she’s insecure about the relationship. Whether she was before
this incident or not is irrelevant. She’s insecure now and only
now does she start looking for possible reasons for Ron’s
inattentiveness (i.e., Hermione).
When they start dating (or rather snogging regularly), Lavender
isn’t jealous of Hermione. She never shies away from Hermione’s
company. Sure, they aren’t best friends but they do share a dorm,
and have for the past 5 years. If Hermione crushed on Ron, I find
it hard to believe that either Lavender or Parvati would not
notice.
Lavender’s taken an interest in Ron this year, we can see it
almost immediately when they arrive back at school. She must not
have any idea that Hermione “likes” him because there was never
any type conversation or feud between the two girls. (Whereas
Hermione and Ginny clearly have had some type of disagreement
that can be see quite obviously later on.) Lavender is never
embarrassed by her behaviour towards Ron, not in front of
Hermione, not in front of anyone for that matter.
If she knew, suspected or even had the slightest inkling that
Hermione might like Ron, there would have inevitably been some
type of weirdness there. Either Lavender would want to hurt
Hermione and rub it in her face, which doesn’t happen, or she
would run away from Hermione, which also doesn’t happen. The
massive shows of affection are not directed at Hermione.
Especially that first time, it was almost an accident that
Hermione witnessed the demonstration.
To really rub it in Hermione’s face, Lavender would do some
things I know we all witnessed or are still witnessing in high
school. She would latch on to him and parade him around, bring
him right up in front of Hermione and talk about how wonderfully
in love they are and how wonderful everything in the universe
is...constantly introduce him, or refer to him even to her
friends who already know Ron, as her boyfriend. All of that type
of behaviour claims possession.
The PDAs we all must endure seem more along the lines of “I’m
totally inexperienced and don’t know how to handle myself in
public places” or “everyone should know and see how desirable I
am.” It’s not directed at any one individual, it’s sort of a
notice to the masses that this is going on and don’t you want to
kill yourself because you don’t have what we have....meanwhile,
back in reality, most witnesses do want to kill themselves, but
not because they want that too....it’s just gag-me gross.
It’s also important to note that Hermione’s anger is never
directed at Lavender. When one has feelings for a prat who dates
some hussy, one is more inclined to blame the hussy then the
prat, because one still wants to believe that the prat is good at
heart and still worthy of one’s affection. One has a bit of a
soft spot for the prat which makes one blind. But the hussy is
free game.
And when Hermione approaches Parvati to mention she and MacLaggen
are going to Slug’s Christmas party together – “with the sound of
a plunger” – Lav and Won separate, but it would seem Lavender
broke it off as she and Parvati immediately and eagerly start
gossiping about Hermione’s love life.
Likewise, Parvati seems to never have suspected there being any
feelings between Ron and Hermione. She doesn’t act weird around
Hermione or apologize for her friend. She comments to Hermione
“you like Quidditch players” right in front of Ron – she’s
certainly not working with Hermione to make Ron jealous by making
that comment.
And really, wouldn’t these girls at least have some idea. Maybe
Hermione isn’t one to gossip, maybe they’re not friends, but
wouldn’t they have noticed any interactions. They’ve all been
sequestered together into Gryffindor for years. Sometimes what
isn’t said is more significant than what is said. These girls may
very well be self-centered and flighty, but don’t tell me those
types aren’t the first to notice a bit of gossip.
So now when Ron pushed her aside for Romilda Vane and is ignoring
her, Lavender starts to panic. She asks Harry if Hermione’s been
visiting. Harry tells her that Ron and Hermione are friends.
Lavender doesn’t believe it! They can’t be friends, they haven’t
spoken since he and Lavender started dating. She thinks
Hermione’s only taken an interest in Ron now, because now he’s
all interesting and stuff what with being poisoned and almost
dying and everything. She’s fixated on Hermione, the only other
girl who spends any amount of time with both boys. Hermione,
then, must be the culprit...the evil hussy stealing her prat.
May I ask where the anvils might have landed if the other
characters don’t seem to be aware of them, oh, but wait...they
must be delusional as well. How silly of me. End Rant!
Harry stops in to visit Ron before the Quidditch match, the one
he’s never been less interested in because he’s been totally
obsessed with finding Malfoy.
Harry tries to reassure Ron, yet again, that even if MacLaggen
was the best Keeper in the universe he still wouldn’t make the
team because he’s not a team player. He also asks that Ron stop
pretending to be asleep when Lavender comes to visit him, because
she’s driving Harry crazy.
He advises that Ron should just tell her that he doesn’t want to
go out with her anymore. Ron says it’s not that easy. Wimp.
Ron then asks if Hermione will be by to visit. Harry tells him
she’s already at the game with Ginny.
On his way down to the pitch, Harry runs into Malfoy making his
way back up to the castle with two girls. As Malfoy passes, Harry
stands frozen to the spot. He wants to follow Malfoy and the
girls to see what they’re up to, but there’s a game about to
start. He chooses the team and makes a mad dash to get into the
changing rooms just in time.
Luna is the commentator for the match (much to Ron’s amusement),
but doesn’t seem overly interested in the details of the game.
MacLaggen tries to tell everyone how to play their positions. He
even goes so far as to take the beater’s bat and demonstrate,
knocking Harry unconscious. The game continues even though the
Gryffindor Captain is out of the game. The final score was 320 to
60, Hufflepuff won!
Harry wakes up in the Hospital Wing and Ron fills him in on the
details of the game. He mentions that Ginny stopped by and said
that Harry just made it to the pitch on time. Harry daydreams
about Ginny confessing her “feelings of deep attraction” for him,
but stops when Ron asks why he wasn’t there on time.
Harry tells him about Malfoy and how he now wishes he had
followed Malfoy, the game was such a disaster. Ron tells him not
to be stupid, he’s the captain!
This also marks the first time Hermione isn’t around when Harry’s
gotten hurt. Apparently, the lovesick Ron, pining for Hermione,
forgot to mention if she stopped by to see them. I find it hard
to believe that he wouldn’t mention her coming by; I find it
stranger still that she wouldn’t have stopped in at all. What’s
up with that?
Harry is still obsessively thinking about Malfoy. He, in fact,
thinks more about Malfoy than he does about Ginny. He wishes he
had Aurors or at least the DA to assign to tail Malfoy around the
school.
He remembers that this is the third time he’s been in the
Hospital Wing due to Quidditch, the last time was for falling of
his broom because of Dementors, the first time was because
Lockhart vanished the bones in his arm. That time he received a
late visit from Dobby.
SuperGenius Harry hatches a brilliant plan and calls for
Kreacher. Kreacher appears locked in fisticuffs with Dobby. Dobby
was defending Harry’s honor.
Harry sets them the task of tailing Malfoy. Kreacher does so
begrudgingly, Dobby jumps at the chance to help Harry. He forbids
Kreacher from tipping Malfoy off and tells them to report back to
him, but only in front of Hermione and Ron.
anything to distract from the lessons, or retrieving the memory
from Slug, or he didn’t want Harry to do anything rash, or he
didn’t think it right to confide his suspicions in 16 year olds.
Cormac MacLaggen interrupts Harry’s ponderings. MacLaggen has
heard about Ron and wants the Keeper position for the next game.
He immediately wants to talk strategies. Harry excuses himself
and goes to bed. Poor Harry, never a dull moment…
Almost more annoying is Lavender and her frequent attempts to
speak to Harry about Ron. At first, she was irritated that no one
saw fit to inform the girlfriend that Ron was poisoned and in the
Hospital Wing. However, she switched tactics, trying to corner
Harry into telling her about Ron’s feelings about her and their
relationship. Harry asks why she just doesn’t talk to Ron about
it, she tells him Ron’s always asleep when she goes to visit.
Here’s the Lavender Rant: I mentioned earlier that it’s a good
bet she’s insecure about the relationship. Whether she was before
this incident or not is irrelevant. She’s insecure now and only
now does she start looking for possible reasons for Ron’s
inattentiveness (i.e., Hermione).
When they start dating (or rather snogging regularly), Lavender
isn’t jealous of Hermione. She never shies away from Hermione’s
company. Sure, they aren’t best friends but they do share a dorm,
and have for the past 5 years. If Hermione crushed on Ron, I find
it hard to believe that either Lavender or Parvati would not
notice.
Lavender’s taken an interest in Ron this year, we can see it
almost immediately when they arrive back at school. She must not
have any idea that Hermione “likes” him because there was never
any type conversation or feud between the two girls. (Whereas
Hermione and Ginny clearly have had some type of disagreement
that can be see quite obviously later on.) Lavender is never
embarrassed by her behaviour towards Ron, not in front of
Hermione, not in front of anyone for that matter.
If she knew, suspected or even had the slightest inkling that
Hermione might like Ron, there would have inevitably been some
type of weirdness there. Either Lavender would want to hurt
Hermione and rub it in her face, which doesn’t happen, or she
would run away from Hermione, which also doesn’t happen. The
massive shows of affection are not directed at Hermione.
Especially that first time, it was almost an accident that
Hermione witnessed the demonstration.
To really rub it in Hermione’s face, Lavender would do some
things I know we all witnessed or are still witnessing in high
school. She would latch on to him and parade him around, bring
him right up in front of Hermione and talk about how wonderfully
in love they are and how wonderful everything in the universe
is...constantly introduce him, or refer to him even to her
friends who already know Ron, as her boyfriend. All of that type
of behaviour claims possession.
The PDAs we all must endure seem more along the lines of “I’m
totally inexperienced and don’t know how to handle myself in
public places” or “everyone should know and see how desirable I
am.” It’s not directed at any one individual, it’s sort of a
notice to the masses that this is going on and don’t you want to
kill yourself because you don’t have what we have....meanwhile,
back in reality, most witnesses do want to kill themselves, but
not because they want that too....it’s just gag-me gross.
It’s also important to note that Hermione’s anger is never
directed at Lavender. When one has feelings for a prat who dates
some hussy, one is more inclined to blame the hussy then the
prat, because one still wants to believe that the prat is good at
heart and still worthy of one’s affection. One has a bit of a
soft spot for the prat which makes one blind. But the hussy is
free game.
And when Hermione approaches Parvati to mention she and MacLaggen
are going to Slug’s Christmas party together – “with the sound of
a plunger” – Lav and Won separate, but it would seem Lavender
broke it off as she and Parvati immediately and eagerly start
gossiping about Hermione’s love life.
Likewise, Parvati seems to never have suspected there being any
feelings between Ron and Hermione. She doesn’t act weird around
Hermione or apologize for her friend. She comments to Hermione
“you like Quidditch players” right in front of Ron – she’s
certainly not working with Hermione to make Ron jealous by making
that comment.
And really, wouldn’t these girls at least have some idea. Maybe
Hermione isn’t one to gossip, maybe they’re not friends, but
wouldn’t they have noticed any interactions. They’ve all been
sequestered together into Gryffindor for years. Sometimes what
isn’t said is more significant than what is said. These girls may
very well be self-centered and flighty, but don’t tell me those
types aren’t the first to notice a bit of gossip.
So now when Ron pushed her aside for Romilda Vane and is ignoring
her, Lavender starts to panic. She asks Harry if Hermione’s been
visiting. Harry tells her that Ron and Hermione are friends.
Lavender doesn’t believe it! They can’t be friends, they haven’t
spoken since he and Lavender started dating. She thinks
Hermione’s only taken an interest in Ron now, because now he’s
all interesting and stuff what with being poisoned and almost
dying and everything. She’s fixated on Hermione, the only other
girl who spends any amount of time with both boys. Hermione,
then, must be the culprit...the evil hussy stealing her prat.
May I ask where the anvils might have landed if the other
characters don’t seem to be aware of them, oh, but wait...they
must be delusional as well. How silly of me. End Rant!
Harry stops in to visit Ron before the Quidditch match, the one
he’s never been less interested in because he’s been totally
obsessed with finding Malfoy.
Harry tries to reassure Ron, yet again, that even if MacLaggen
was the best Keeper in the universe he still wouldn’t make the
team because he’s not a team player. He also asks that Ron stop
pretending to be asleep when Lavender comes to visit him, because
she’s driving Harry crazy.
He advises that Ron should just tell her that he doesn’t want to
go out with her anymore. Ron says it’s not that easy. Wimp.
Ron then asks if Hermione will be by to visit. Harry tells him
she’s already at the game with Ginny.
On his way down to the pitch, Harry runs into Malfoy making his
way back up to the castle with two girls. As Malfoy passes, Harry
stands frozen to the spot. He wants to follow Malfoy and the
girls to see what they’re up to, but there’s a game about to
start. He chooses the team and makes a mad dash to get into the
changing rooms just in time.
Luna is the commentator for the match (much to Ron’s amusement),
but doesn’t seem overly interested in the details of the game.
MacLaggen tries to tell everyone how to play their positions. He
even goes so far as to take the beater’s bat and demonstrate,
knocking Harry unconscious. The game continues even though the
Gryffindor Captain is out of the game. The final score was 320 to
60, Hufflepuff won!
Harry wakes up in the Hospital Wing and Ron fills him in on the
details of the game. He mentions that Ginny stopped by and said
that Harry just made it to the pitch on time. Harry daydreams
about Ginny confessing her “feelings of deep attraction” for him,
but stops when Ron asks why he wasn’t there on time.
Harry tells him about Malfoy and how he now wishes he had
followed Malfoy, the game was such a disaster. Ron tells him not
to be stupid, he’s the captain!
This also marks the first time Hermione isn’t around when Harry’s
gotten hurt. Apparently, the lovesick Ron, pining for Hermione,
forgot to mention if she stopped by to see them. I find it hard
to believe that he wouldn’t mention her coming by; I find it
stranger still that she wouldn’t have stopped in at all. What’s
up with that?
Harry is still obsessively thinking about Malfoy. He, in fact,
thinks more about Malfoy than he does about Ginny. He wishes he
had Aurors or at least the DA to assign to tail Malfoy around the
school.
He remembers that this is the third time he’s been in the
Hospital Wing due to Quidditch, the last time was for falling of
his broom because of Dementors, the first time was because
Lockhart vanished the bones in his arm. That time he received a
late visit from Dobby.
SuperGenius Harry hatches a brilliant plan and calls for
Kreacher. Kreacher appears locked in fisticuffs with Dobby. Dobby
was defending Harry’s honor.
Harry sets them the task of tailing Malfoy. Kreacher does so
begrudgingly, Dobby jumps at the chance to help Harry. He forbids
Kreacher from tipping Malfoy off and tells them to report back to
him, but only in front of Hermione and Ron.
| Chapter 20: Lord Voldemort's Request |
With all the carnage from near-fatal poisonings and badly played
Quidditch matches past them, the kids move into the last phase of
their school year.
Harry and Ron are out of the Hospital Wing. Hermione is so happy
both her boys aren’t dead that she accompanies them to breakfast
forgetting the feud she and Ron were having prior to his almost
dropping dead.
Hermione notes that Harry seems eager to hear about Dean and
Ginny’s fight over MacLaggen knocking Harry out. However,
she’s in such a good mood with her two best friends being safe
and healthy and out of the Hospital Wing, that she doesn’t even
pay Lavender any mind when she pitches a fit over Ron not telling
her he was released.
She even “corrects” Harry’s Herbology paper, something she had
refused to do before.
Luna delivers a note with Harry’s next meeting with Dumbledore.
Ron compliments her on her commentary.
smiled vaguely.
holding the onionlike object up to eye level.
Page 425, U.S. Hardcover Edition
I think it’s very telling that she immediately assumes he’s
making fun of her. It speaks to his character...his reputation
and her impression of him. Also, this is probably the first time
Ron’s ever given a heartfelt compliment without provocation, or
backhanding it in some way.
Harry, noting Hermione’s good mood, leaves her to correcting his
paper in a "weary sort of way" and makes his way to Dumbledore’s
office. Harry interrupts Trelawney complaining about Firenze. She
leaves in a huff at being “thrown unceremoniously” from the
office.
Dumbledore asks Harry about his progress getting the memory from
Sluggy. Harry tells him about his one failed attempt and makes a
lame excuse that he had intended to ask him again, but Ron went
and got himself poisoned and distracted everybody.
At the sound of “cold disappointment” in Dumbledore’s voice, a
“hot, prickly feeling of shame spread from the top of Harry’s
head all the way down his body.” He vows to make a better effort.
Once more into the Pensieve, dear friends... Now, we are entering
into the “realms of guesswork and speculation” for nothing is
known for certain.
Last we left off, Tommy had killed his filthy Muggle father and
his grandparents and blamed dear Uncle Morfin. Once he graduated
Hogwarts, he had applied to Headmaster Dippet for the Defense
Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts. He was declined
because of his age, but was invited to reapply in 5 years. So
until then, the boy who would be the Dark Lord took a job at
Borgin and Burkes.
He was assigned to solicit the elderly Hepzibah Smith as her
House Elf, Hokey, remembers...
The lonely old woman was eagerly anticipating Tom’s arrival. She
powdered her nose to impress the handsome and charming young man.
Tom enchantingly brought her a bouquet of flowers to butter her
up. He insisted he was on business from Mr. Burke who was after
Mrs. Smith’s goblin-made armour.
She called for Hokey to bring her family’s “finest treasure.” She
revealed to him Hufflepuff’s cup. She confessed that she was
distantly related and inherited the badger encrusted chalice from
the original owner.
“...And all sorts of powers it’s supposed to possess too but I
haven’t tested them thoroughly, I just keep it nice and safe in
here...”
Page 436, U.S. Hardcover Edition
Harry thinks one might just be able to spot a touch of red in the
greedy gaze of the young Tom Riddle as he held the chalice in his
hands. She next showed him something possibly even more priceless
to him.
pay an arm and a left for it, but I couldn’t let it pass, not a
real treasure like that, had to have it for my collection. Burke
bought it, apparently, from a ragged-looking woman who seemed to
have stolen it, but had no idea of its true value –”
locket’s chain.
to it, though I just keep it nice and safe…”
slid through his fingers and was back in its read velvet cushion.
Page 437, U.S. Hardcover Edition
Two days later, Mrs. Hepzibah Smith, descendant of the great and
powerful Helga Hufflepuff, was dead. Apparently, at the hand of
her long time House Elf, Hokey, who confessed everything. Being
old and confused, the poor House Elf thought she put sugar in her
mistress’ cocoa, but really it was a deadly and obscure poison.
The Ministry being predisposed to convict Hokey because she was
inferior to them never entertained the possibility that the
charming sales associate Riddle had anything to do with it, much
like with Morfin’s case.
Harry “had rarely felt more in sympathy with the society Hermione
had set up, S.P.E.W.”
Dumbledore points out that this murder was not out of revenge,
“but for gain.” The locket may have rightfully been his, but he
stole the cup of the Founder to use for his own diabolical
purposes.
The next memory Dumbledore shows Harry is ten years after
Hepzibah’s murder. And the memory belongs to Dumbledore himself.
Quidditch matches past them, the kids move into the last phase of
their school year.
Harry and Ron are out of the Hospital Wing. Hermione is so happy
both her boys aren’t dead that she accompanies them to breakfast
forgetting the feud she and Ron were having prior to his almost
dropping dead.
Hermione notes that Harry seems eager to hear about Dean and
Ginny’s fight over MacLaggen knocking Harry out. However,
she’s in such a good mood with her two best friends being safe
and healthy and out of the Hospital Wing, that she doesn’t even
pay Lavender any mind when she pitches a fit over Ron not telling
her he was released.
She even “corrects” Harry’s Herbology paper, something she had
refused to do before.
Luna delivers a note with Harry’s next meeting with Dumbledore.
Ron compliments her on her commentary.
- “Nice commentary last match!” said Ron to Luna as she took
smiled vaguely.
- “You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?” she said. “Everyone
- “No, I’m serious!” said Ron earnestly. “I can’t remember
holding the onionlike object up to eye level.
Page 425, U.S. Hardcover Edition
I think it’s very telling that she immediately assumes he’s
making fun of her. It speaks to his character...his reputation
and her impression of him. Also, this is probably the first time
Ron’s ever given a heartfelt compliment without provocation, or
backhanding it in some way.
Harry, noting Hermione’s good mood, leaves her to correcting his
paper in a "weary sort of way" and makes his way to Dumbledore’s
office. Harry interrupts Trelawney complaining about Firenze. She
leaves in a huff at being “thrown unceremoniously” from the
office.
Dumbledore asks Harry about his progress getting the memory from
Sluggy. Harry tells him about his one failed attempt and makes a
lame excuse that he had intended to ask him again, but Ron went
and got himself poisoned and distracted everybody.
At the sound of “cold disappointment” in Dumbledore’s voice, a
“hot, prickly feeling of shame spread from the top of Harry’s
head all the way down his body.” He vows to make a better effort.
Once more into the Pensieve, dear friends... Now, we are entering
into the “realms of guesswork and speculation” for nothing is
known for certain.
Last we left off, Tommy had killed his filthy Muggle father and
his grandparents and blamed dear Uncle Morfin. Once he graduated
Hogwarts, he had applied to Headmaster Dippet for the Defense
Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts. He was declined
because of his age, but was invited to reapply in 5 years. So
until then, the boy who would be the Dark Lord took a job at
Borgin and Burkes.
He was assigned to solicit the elderly Hepzibah Smith as her
House Elf, Hokey, remembers...
The lonely old woman was eagerly anticipating Tom’s arrival. She
powdered her nose to impress the handsome and charming young man.
Tom enchantingly brought her a bouquet of flowers to butter her
up. He insisted he was on business from Mr. Burke who was after
Mrs. Smith’s goblin-made armour.
She called for Hokey to bring her family’s “finest treasure.” She
revealed to him Hufflepuff’s cup. She confessed that she was
distantly related and inherited the badger encrusted chalice from
the original owner.
“...And all sorts of powers it’s supposed to possess too but I
haven’t tested them thoroughly, I just keep it nice and safe in
here...”
Page 436, U.S. Hardcover Edition
Harry thinks one might just be able to spot a touch of red in the
greedy gaze of the young Tom Riddle as he held the chalice in his
hands. She next showed him something possibly even more priceless
to him.
- “Slytherin’s mark,” he said quietly, as the light played upon
- “That’s right!” said Hepzibah, delighted, apparently, at the
pay an arm and a left for it, but I couldn’t let it pass, not a
real treasure like that, had to have it for my collection. Burke
bought it, apparently, from a ragged-looking woman who seemed to
have stolen it, but had no idea of its true value –”
- There was no mistaking it this time: Voledmort’s eyes flashed
locket’s chain.
- “—I daresay Burke paid her a pittance but there you
to it, though I just keep it nice and safe…”
- She reached out to take the locket back. For a moment, Harry
slid through his fingers and was back in its read velvet cushion.
Page 437, U.S. Hardcover Edition
Two days later, Mrs. Hepzibah Smith, descendant of the great and
powerful Helga Hufflepuff, was dead. Apparently, at the hand of
her long time House Elf, Hokey, who confessed everything. Being
old and confused, the poor House Elf thought she put sugar in her
mistress’ cocoa, but really it was a deadly and obscure poison.
The Ministry being predisposed to convict Hokey because she was
inferior to them never entertained the possibility that the
charming sales associate Riddle had anything to do with it, much
like with Morfin’s case.
Harry “had rarely felt more in sympathy with the society Hermione
had set up, S.P.E.W.”
Dumbledore points out that this murder was not out of revenge,
“but for gain.” The locket may have rightfully been his, but he
stole the cup of the Founder to use for his own diabolical
purposes.
The next memory Dumbledore shows Harry is ten years after
Hepzibah’s murder. And the memory belongs to Dumbledore himself.
Tom, now 28, returns to interview for the DADA position once
more, however, this time Dumbledore is Headmaster.
Harry let out a hastily stifled gasp. Voldemort had entered the
room. His features were not those Harry had seen emerge from the
great stone cauldron almost two years ago: They were not as
snakelike, the eyes were not yet scarlet, the face not yet
masklike, and yet he was no longer handsome Tom Riddle. It was as
though his features had been burned and blurred; they were waxy
and oddly distorted, and the whites of the eyes now had a
permanently bloody look, though the pupils were not yet the slits
that Harry knew they would become.
Page 441, U.S. Hardcover Edition
Tom corrects Dumbledore stating he is known by another name now.
Dumbledore excuses his use of Tom’s real name, informing him that
old habits die hard and that he’d always remember
Tom’s humble beginnings and not be deterred by the horrors to
come.
Riddle asks why Dumbledore never left school. The answer is that
nothing, not even being offered the post of Minister for Magic
three times, is as important as teaching young minds.
Dumbledore has heard rumors of what Tom has been up to, he is not
in the least happy about these developments. Tommy’s response is
that everyone is jealous of him because he is doing great things.
Once more, Dumbledore questions what Tom considers to be great.
Tom gushes that he has “pushed the boundaries of magic further,
perhaps, than they have ever been pushed.” However, Dumbledore
points out that there is a stronger brand of magic that Tom has
ignored. Riddle scoffs at the idea of love being more powerful.
Dumbledore then reveals he knows of the “Death Eaters” that have
traveled with Tom on his interview. That they are awaiting his
return in the Hog’s Head. Riddle seems unnerved if only for a
moment before he recovers. He tells Dumbledore once he takes the
post at Hogwarts his friends will get on without him.
Trying a new tactic, Dumbledore challenges Tom to make an open
request. He lays the cards on the table. He doesn’t want to give
Tom the job any more than Tom wants it...so why the request? What
is he really after?
Riddle, for the first time, loses his composure: nostrils
flaring, inflamed with rage. He refuses to reveal what he truly
wants at Hogwarts. He stands to leave, pissed he has been denied.
Dumbledore’s last words to him are that he wishes he could still
frighten him into repaying his sins with a burning wardrobe, but
that time has come and gone. It is with sadness that Dumbledore
admits this. For a moment, it looks like Riddle might strike at
Dumbledore, but he restrains himself and departs.
Harry and Dumbledore re-emerge from the Pensieve to the lingering
question of just what was Riddle really up to?
Dumbledore has ideas, but won’t reveal them until Harry retrieves
Slug’s memory. He has to be sure before he can tell Harry his
suspicions. With that, Harry is dismissed for the second time
with the mission to get Slughorn’s recollection.
more, however, this time Dumbledore is Headmaster.
Harry let out a hastily stifled gasp. Voldemort had entered the
room. His features were not those Harry had seen emerge from the
great stone cauldron almost two years ago: They were not as
snakelike, the eyes were not yet scarlet, the face not yet
masklike, and yet he was no longer handsome Tom Riddle. It was as
though his features had been burned and blurred; they were waxy
and oddly distorted, and the whites of the eyes now had a
permanently bloody look, though the pupils were not yet the slits
that Harry knew they would become.
Page 441, U.S. Hardcover Edition
Tom corrects Dumbledore stating he is known by another name now.
Dumbledore excuses his use of Tom’s real name, informing him that
old habits die hard and that he’d always remember
Tom’s humble beginnings and not be deterred by the horrors to
come.
Riddle asks why Dumbledore never left school. The answer is that
nothing, not even being offered the post of Minister for Magic
three times, is as important as teaching young minds.
Dumbledore has heard rumors of what Tom has been up to, he is not
in the least happy about these developments. Tommy’s response is
that everyone is jealous of him because he is doing great things.
Once more, Dumbledore questions what Tom considers to be great.
Tom gushes that he has “pushed the boundaries of magic further,
perhaps, than they have ever been pushed.” However, Dumbledore
points out that there is a stronger brand of magic that Tom has
ignored. Riddle scoffs at the idea of love being more powerful.
Dumbledore then reveals he knows of the “Death Eaters” that have
traveled with Tom on his interview. That they are awaiting his
return in the Hog’s Head. Riddle seems unnerved if only for a
moment before he recovers. He tells Dumbledore once he takes the
post at Hogwarts his friends will get on without him.
Trying a new tactic, Dumbledore challenges Tom to make an open
request. He lays the cards on the table. He doesn’t want to give
Tom the job any more than Tom wants it...so why the request? What
is he really after?
Riddle, for the first time, loses his composure: nostrils
flaring, inflamed with rage. He refuses to reveal what he truly
wants at Hogwarts. He stands to leave, pissed he has been denied.
Dumbledore’s last words to him are that he wishes he could still
frighten him into repaying his sins with a burning wardrobe, but
that time has come and gone. It is with sadness that Dumbledore
admits this. For a moment, it looks like Riddle might strike at
Dumbledore, but he restrains himself and departs.
Harry and Dumbledore re-emerge from the Pensieve to the lingering
question of just what was Riddle really up to?
Dumbledore has ideas, but won’t reveal them until Harry retrieves
Slug’s memory. He has to be sure before he can tell Harry his
suspicions. With that, Harry is dismissed for the second time
with the mission to get Slughorn’s recollection.
| Chapter 19: Elf Tails |
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| The Ultimate Harry Potter Analysis Source |
| Choosing what is Right over what is Easy |
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