Гарри Поттер и Принц-полукровка
The secret riddle
"...andtaketheiodineupstairstoMartha,BillyStubbshasbeenpickinghisscabsandEricWhalley’soozingalloverhissheets—chickenpoxontopofeverythingelse,"shesaidtonobodyinparticular,andthenhereyesfelluponDumbledoreandshestoppeddeadinhertracks,lookingasastonishedasifagiraffehadjustcrossedherthreshold.
"Goodafternoon,"saidDumbledore,holdingouthishand.
Mrs.Colesimplygaped.
"MynameisAlbusDumbledore.Isentyoualetterrequestinganappointmentandyouverykindlyinvitedmeheretoday."
Mrs.Coleblinked.ApparentlydecidingthatDumbledorewasnotahallucination,shesaidfeebly,"Ohyes.Well—wellthen—you’dbettercomeintomyroom.Yes."
SheledDumbledoreintoasmallroomthatseemedpartsittingroom,partoffice.Itwasasshabbyasthehallwayandthefurniturewasoldandmismatched.SheinvitedDumbledoretositonaricketychairandseatedherselfbehindacluttereddesk,eyeinghimnervously.
"Iamhere,asItoldyouinmyletter,todiscussTomRiddleandarrangementsforhisfuture,"saidDumbledore.
"Areyoufamily?"askedMrs.Cole.
"No,Iamateacher,"saidDumbledore."IhavecometoofferTomaplaceatmyschool."
"Whatschool’sthis,then?"
"ItiscalledHogwarts,"saidDumbledore.
"Andhowcomeyou’reinterestedinTom?"
"Webelievehehasqualitieswearelookingfor."
"Youmeanhe’swonascholarship?Howcanhehavedone?He’sneverbeenenteredforone."
