Owl Post Again

           "Harry!"

           Hermionewastuggingathissleeve,staringatherwatch."We’vegotexactlytenminutestogetbackdowntothehospitalwingwithoutanybodyseeingus—beforeDumbledorelocksthedoor—"

           "Okay,"saidHarry,wrenchinghisgazefromthesky,"let’sgo...."

           Theyslippedthroughthedoorwaybehindthemanddownatightlyspiralingstonestaircase.Astheyreachedthebottomofit,theyheardvoices.Theyflattenedthemselvesagainstthewallandlistened.ItsoundedlikeFudgeandSnape.Theywerewalkingquicklyalongthecorridoratthefootofthestaircase.

           "...onlyhopeDumbledore’snotgoingtomakedifficulties,"Snapewassaying."TheKisswillbeperformedimmediately?"

           "AssoonasMacnairreturnswiththeDementors.ThiswholeBlackaffairhasbeenhighlyembarrassing.Ican’ttellyouhowmuchI’mlookingforwardtoinformingtheDailyProphetthatwe’vegothimatlast....Idaresaythey’llwanttointerviewyou,Snape...andonceyoungHarry’sbackinhisrightmind,Iexpecthe’llwanttotelltheProphetexactlyhowyousavedhim...."

           Harryclenchedhisteeth.HecaughtaglimpseofSnape’ssmirkasheandFudgepassedHarryandHermione’shidingplace.Theirfootstepsdiedaway.HarryandHermionewaitedafewmomentstomakesurethey’dreallygone,thenstartedtorunintheoppositedirection.Downonestaircase,thenanother,alonganewcorridor—thentheyheardacacklingahead.

           "Peeves!"Harrymuttered,grabbingHermione’swrist."Inhere!"

           Theytoreintoadesertedclassroomtotheirleftjustintime.