eantgoingalongwiththeridiulousbreakinidea.italsomeanttheymightresuebertrie,ifshewasinfatinneedofresuing.soharrysteppedtothesideandpointedtothebakoftherowofhomes.“well,then,leadtheway.”

theyfoundtheirwayaroundthefirstoupleofgardenseasilyenough.itwasn’tideal,butapparitionwasriskyaroundhomeswithanynumberofpossiblewardstoountermagi.harryrefusedtoletmalfoy’sathletiabilityimpresshimandturnedhisbaktheseondtimemalfoybakflippedoverafene.“isthatneessary?”harryouldn’tstophimself.

“absolutely,”malfoydrawled.“isn’titobvious,eversworn?ihaven’tmetmybakflipquotafortheweek.”

“getonwithit.”

malfoytookhiswandoutandapproahedthebakdoorofthetownhome.“alohamora.”

thedooropened.

“iannotbelievethatatuallyworked,”harrybreathed.malfoygrinnedbakathimandthenpushedthroughthedoor.harrytookouthiswandandfollowed.

thehousewasdark;ittookafewmomentsforharry’seyestoadjust.theydidn’tfousintimetoseeamassivestakofneersdiretlyinfrontofhim.hewasaninhfromollidingwithitwhenmalfoypulledhimsidewaysagainsthishest.malfoyputhisindexfingeroverhislipsandjerkedhisheadtowardtheothersideoftheroom.

guinevere,thekneazle,satontopoftheendlesspilesofneers.shestaredatthemandtheybakatherforlosetoaminute.foramoment,harryouldswearthethinglookedangrywithhim.then,inablurofredfluff,theanimallungedatharryanddugherwsintohisrightupperleg.