Dobby’s Reward

           ForamomenttherewassilenceasHarry,Ron,Ginny,andLockhartstoodinthedoorway,coveredinmuckandslimeand(inHarry’scase)blood.Thentherewasascream. 

           "Ginny!" 

           ItwasMrs.Weasley,whohadbeensittingcryinginfrontofthefire.Sheleapttoherfeet,closelyfollowedbyMr.Weasley,andbothofthemflungthemselvesontheirdaughter. 

           Harry,however,waslookingpastthem.ProfessorDumbledorewasstandingbythemantelpiece,beaming,nexttoProfessorMcGonagall,whowastakinggreat,steadyinggasps,clutchingherchest. FawkeswentwhooshingpastHarry’searandsettledonDumbledore’sshoulder,justasHarryfoundhimselfandRonbeingsweptintoMrs.Weasley’stightembrace. 

           "Yousavedher!Yousavedher!Howdidyoudoit?" 

           "Ithinkwe’dallliketoknowthat,"saidProfessorMcGonagallweakly. 

           Mrs.WeasleyletgoofHarry,whohesitatedforamoment,thenwalkedovertothedeskandlaiduponittheSortingHat,theruby-encrustedsword,andwhatremainedofRiddle’sdiary. 

           Thenhestartedtellingthemeverything. Fornearlyaquarterofanhourhespokeintotheraptsilence:Hetoldthemabouthearingthedisembodiedvoice,howHermionehadfinallyrealizedthathewashearingabasiliskinthepipes; howheandRonhadfollowedthespidersintotheforest,thatAragoghadtoldthemwherethelastvictimofthebasiliskhaddied;howhehadguessedthatMoaningMyrtlehadbeenthevictim,andthattheentrancetotheChamberofSecretsmightbeinherbathroom...