Chapter 111: Hagrid (1/2)
”There's still something missing.” Chris said thoughtfully. ”We're still missing something. I mean after hearing the story of Mr Crouch, he doesn't strike me as a person who'll help someone out of generosity. So why's he so worried about Bertha Jorkins?”
”I also found out something interesting there.” Sirius said, looking impressed by Chris. ”When I was looking through the Daily Prophet news, I saw Bagman blustering on about how bad Bertha's memory is. I thought, maybe she's changed since I knew her, but the Bertha I knew wasn't forgetful at all — quite the reverse. She was a bit dim, but she had an excellent memory for gossip. It used to get her into a lot of trouble; she never knew when to keep her mouth shut.”
”Then what happened to her?” Hermione asked.
”I did a little bit digging about Bertha, and his carrier after Hogwarts.” Sirius said. ”You won't believe what I found out. According to few Ministry employees, Bertha's memory was suddenly effected when she returned from a vacation. Everyone thought maybe she had an some kind of accidents.”
”That can happen to anyone. What's surprising in that?” Harry said blankly.
”Here the surprise is, guess she was working for whom, that time?” Sirius asked.
”Mr Crouch.” Chris and Hermione said at once.
”Exactly. She was working with Crouch that time. I thought about it, Bertha loosing memory when she was under Crouch and after her disappearance Crouch's personal effort to look for her, there have to be a connection somewhere.”
”There's no coincidence in Wizarding world.” Chris said seriously. ”There must be some connection. I can think of only one thing which can effect a persons memory that badly in Wizarding world.”
”Memory charm.” Hermione answered. ”What if someone put a memory charm on her and Mr Crouch knew about it.”
”I was thinking the same.” Chris said.
”I agree, that's the only possibility.” Sirius sighed. ”Bertha was always nossy, so maybe she knew something confidential and Crouch is trying to save the secret. But he's ill now, even not coming to the Ministry office anymore, doesn't sound like him though; but the truth is there is no sign of him. He's giving orders to Ron's brother, what's his name.. Percy. Yes, I saw him at the Ministry working for Crouch.”
There was a strong silence.
”Listen I'm telling this to you because I want you to be more careful now on.” Sirius continued. ”Chris, I saw when the Dragon attacked the stands, I was there. I tried to reach but you were quick that's a good thing. But it was not normal for a dragon so I want each one of you to be more careful until the end of the tournament.”
The four of them nodded.
”Very well then. Let's have some butterbeer on three broomsticks, what do you say?” Sirius grinned.
And all of them set off to three broomsticks.
”How are you doing with your second task Harry?” Sirius asked. ”Solved the golden egg?”
”I reckon I've got a pretty good idea what it's about now,” Harry said.
”Well done.” Sirius grabbed his shoulder. ”Then I must say, you inherited Lily's intelligence.”
”...er...” Harry looked embarrassed. ”What about Dad?”
”James.” Sirius smiled. ”He was brave, great Quidditch player but our brains were always in trouble making.”
They all entered three broomsticks.
”Madam Rosmerta!” Sirius roared.
”Black.” She smiled and came towards them.
”How are you? You're still as beautiful as the last time I saw you.” Sirius said and kissed her hand.
”Oh stop it. Go and find a table. I'm sending the drinks for you all.” She grinned and went back.
All five of them sat on a corner table. Sirius was telling them stories of his school days.
”And one time, me and James went to fight the Giant Squid.” Sirius said laughing. ”We were in third year that time. Remus was so angry when he found out. We lied, saying we were interested to see the mermaids....” he continued. ”And so many times Lily caught us sneaking around the castle at night. We used to hid under James's invisibility cloak after that.”
”Hello, Mr Black.” Fred and George came.
”How are you boys?” Sirius asked fondly. ”Heard about your new invention. Truly inspiring.”
Fred and George sat and to everyone's surprise confessed that they were trying to sell their inventions, and that's why they were writing to Bagman.
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”Why didn't you asked me?” Sirius said seriously. ”I can talk to Zonko. But I suggest you to open your own shop. Create your own thing.”
”That's a great idea Mr Black but....” before George finished an unpleasant voice interrupted.
”Mr Black.”
It was Rita Skeeter.
”How lovely!” She beamed at them. ”How about a interview? You and Harry...”
”I wouldn't come near you with a ten-foot broomstick,” said Harry furiously. ”What did you do that to Hagrid for, eh?”
Rita Skeeter just reminded them about Hagrid. Hermione, Chris, Ron and Harry all of them were glaring at her. Rita Skeeter raised her heavily penciled eyebrows.
”Our readers have a right to the truth, Harry. I am merely doing my ...” she tried to come close to their table.
”Who cares if he's half-giant?” Harry shouted. ”There's nothing wrong with him!”
The whole pub had gone very quiet. Madam Rosmerta was staring over from behind the bar, apparently oblivious to the fact that the flagon she was filling with mead was overflowing.
Rita Skeeter's smile flickered very slightly, but she hitched it back almost at once; she snapped open her crocodile-skin handbag, pulled out her Quick-Quotes Quill, and said, ”How about giving me an interview about the Hagrid you know, Harry? The man behind the muscles? Your unlikely friendship and the reasons behind it. Would you call him a father substitute?”
”This is forth time I'm telling you Rita,” Sirius got up smiling but that smile wasn't really friendly one. ”I'm Harry's Godfather and I don't want you to be around him. And about that interview, you're a capable women, you can write about anyone, without taking their interview. Isn't it like this always?”