The Ministry of Magic

           Harryawokeathalf-pastfivethenextmorningasabruptlyandcompletelyasifsomebodyhadyelledinhisear.Forafewmomentshelayimmobileastheprospectofthedisciplinaryhearingfilledeverytinyparticleofhisbrain,then,unabletobearit,heleaptoutofbedandputonhisglasses.Mrs.WeasleyhadlaidouthisfreshlylaunderedjeansandT-shirtatthefootofhisbed.Harryscrambledintothem.Theblankpictureonthewallsniggered.

           Ronwaslyingsprawledonhisbackwithhismouthwideopen,fastasleep.HedidnotstirasHarrycrossedtheroom,steppedoutontothelandingandclosedthedoorsoftlybehindhim.TryingnottothinkofthenexttimehewouldseeRon,whentheymightnolongerbefellowstudentsatHogwarts,Harrywalkedquietlydownthestairs,pasttheheadsofKreacher’sancestors,anddownintothekitchen.

           Hehadexpectedittobeempty,butwhenhereachedthedoorheheardthesoftrumbleofvoicesontheotherside.HepusheditopenandsawMr.andMrs.Weasley,Sirius,Lupin,andTonkssittingtherealmostasthoughtheywerewaitingforhim.AllwerefullydressedexceptMrs.Weasley,whowaswearingaquiltedpurpledressinggown.SheleapttoherfeetthemomentHarryentered.

           ’Breakfast,’shesaidasshepulledoutherwandandhurriedovertothefire.

           ’M-m-morning,Harry,’yawnedTonks.Herhairwasblondeandcurlythismorning.’Sleepallright?’

           ’Yeah,’saidHarry.

           ’I’veb-b-beenupallnight,’shesaid,withanothershudderingyawn.’Comeandsitdown....’