Гарри Поттер и Принц-полукровка
The Other Minister
Forabriefmomentheallowedhimselftheimpossiblehopethatnobodywouldanswerhim.However,avoicerespondedatonce,acrisp,decisivevoicethatsoundedasthoughitwerereadingapreparedstatement.Itwascoming—asthePrimeMinisterhadknownatthefirstcough—fromthefroglikelittlemanwearingalongsilverwigwhowasdepictedinasmall,dirtyoilpaintinginthefarcorneroftheroom.
"TothePrimeMinisterofMuggles.Urgentwemeet.Kindlyrespondimmediately.Sincerely,Fudge."
ThemaninthepaintinglookedinquiringlyatthePrimeMinister.
"Er,"saidthePrimeMinister,"listen...it’snotaverygoodtimeforme...I’mwaitingforatelephonecall,yousee...fromthepresidentof—"
"Thatcanberearranged,"saidtheportraitatonce.ThePrimeMinister’sheartsank.Hehadbeenafraidofthat.
"ButIreallywasratherhopingtospeak—"
"Weshallarrangeforthepresidenttoforgettocall.Hewilltelephonetomorrownightinstead,"saidthelittleman."KindlyrespondimmediatelytoMr.Fudge."
"I...oh...verywell,"saidthePrimeMinisterweakly."Yes,I’llseeFudge."
Hehurriedbacktohisdesk,straighteninghistieashewent.Hehadbarelyresumedhisseat,andarrangedhisfaceintowhathehopedwasarelaxedandunfazedexpression,whenbrightgreenflamesburstintolifeintheemptygratebeneathhismarblemantelpiece.Hewatched,tryingnottobetrayaflickerofsurpriseoralarm,asaportlymanappearedwithintheflames,spinningasfastasatop.
