onearthareyoutalkingabout?”

“malfoyisuptosomething,”harrysaidwithoutthinking.hermionefixedhimwithaonfusedlook.“imean—he’soedtothemurderofthiszivantusfellowandthedaughter—”

“zivantus?”hermionefrowned.

“marwanzivantus,”harryrepeated.“whydidyou—”hestoppedwhenthevaguememorysurfaedfromthenews,thatzivantushadbeenontheoutswithministry.harrylosthisfousstaringatmalfoy.

ronleanedinlosetohermione’sear.“why?didyouworkwithhim?”harryursedtheunbreakablevowunspeakableshadtotake.theonlywayarounditwasifsomeone’slifewasinger.well,asfarasharrywasonerned,bertrie’slifewasinger.“merlin,harry.that’swhyhermione’shere!”ronshookhisfriendandgotharry’sattention,he’dbeenstaringaftermalfoyattheliftevenafterthedoorshadlosed.“theymustsuspetmalfoyhadsomethingtodowithitandthey’re—”harry’seyesfollowedthearrowabovetheliftasitdialeditswayupthefloornumbers.hewaitedwithbaitedbreathforthearrowtostopatfourteen.

hermionestarted,“ron,that’snot—”butharrypushedhiswaypassedhisfriendsandwenttothelift.

ronaughtuptohim,“youshouldn’tgoupthere,harry.”hermioneapproahed.ronsentheralooktohimein.

“idon’tknowron,”hermionesaid.“maybehe’ssupposedtogoupthere.”

“bloodyhell,”hemutteredasthethreeofthemgotintheliftandwentuptothefourteenthfloor.