ure.shestartedaprojetforthedepartmentofmysteriesandihaven’tseenmuhofhersine.”

harrynodded.heknewfromthetwopreviousprojetshermionehadworkedonforthedepartmentofmysteriesthatron’sstatementwasallhewasgoingtogetonthesubjet.merlin,thatwasprobablyallronevenknewandhewasengagedtoher.“isawginmadeitontotheprovisionalnationalteam,”harrysaidthroughamouthfulofhamsandwih.

rondroppedhisdrink.“what?where?”

“theprophethadityesterdaym.”

“notheydidn’t,”ronfrowned.“they’reannouningtheteamtomorrow.”harrywasn’tsurehowheouldbemistaken.“maybeitwasalistofpotentials,”ronfinallyoffered.

harry’sfrowndeepenedandhestaredatthetable.theartilewasinhispoketinhisdirtypantsbakathisft.“maybe.”

somethingreptintohismindjustthen.harryputdownhissandwihandsatbakinhishair.heouldn’tstophimselffromthinkingsomethingoddwashappeningtohim,butheouldn’tputhisfingeronwhatexatlyitwas.roninterruptedhisthoughts.

“iknowyou’reworriedaboutthiszivantusase,butyoushouldleaveittotheprofessionals,harry.”

thesimpleimpliationthatharrywasn’tuptothetaskunspooledhisanger.“iamaprofessional!i’manaurorjustlikeyou,justlikethem.”harryrealizedhisvoiehadrisen,andtriedtoreinhimselfbakin.quietly,hepointedout,“besides,they’dratherhasedownflimsyleadslikearhieeverswornthanatuallytrytosolvetheirase.”

ronshovedahipinhismouth.“ispentalotoftimewiththemthism.they’renotasdaftasyou’dthink.”harrysenthimalookhehopedshowedhisdisbelief.“alright,harry.whydon’twegotothehotfterlunhandhekitout?ihaveaesstotherimesene.”