Lord Voldemort’s request

           HarryandRonleftthehospitalwingfirstthingonMondaymorning,restoredtofullhealthbytheministrationsofMadamPomfreyandnowabletoenjoythebenefitsofhavingbeenknockedoutandpoisoned,thebestofwhichwasthatHermionewasfriendswithRonagain.Hermioneevenescortedthemdowntobreakfast,bringingwithherthenewsthatGinnyhadarguedwithDean.ThedrowsingcreatureinHarry’schestsuddenlyraiseditshead,sniffingtheairhopefully.

           "Whatdidtheyrowabout?"heasked,tryingtosoundcasualastheyturnedontoaseventh-floorcorridorthatwasdesertedbutforaverysmallgirlwhohadbeenexaminingatapestryoftrollsintutus.Shelookedterrifiedatthesightoftheapproachingsixthyearsanddroppedtheheavybrassscalesshewascarrying.

           "It’sallright!"saidHermionekindly,hurryingforwardtohelpher."Here..."

           Shetappedthebrokenscaleswithherwandandsaid,"Reparo."Thegirldidnotsaythankyou,butremainedrootedtothespotastheypassedandwatchedthemoutofsight;Ronglancedbackather.

           "Iswearthey’regettingsmaller,"hesaid.

           "Nevermindher,"saidHarry,alittleimpatiently."WhatdidGinnyandDeanrowabout,Hermione?"

           "Oh,DeanwaslaughingaboutMcLaggenhittingthatBludgeratyou,"saidHermione.

           "Itmust’velookedfunny,"saidRonreasonably.

           "Itdidn’tlookfunnyatall!"saidHermionehotly.