“thenightbeforehisdeath,”malfoysaid,histonepossessingaleveledreverene.

“and?”

“andwhat,potter?”

harryturnedaround.“didhesayanything?giveyouanyhintabouthowhegotitor—”

malfoyinterrupted,“allhesaidwashehopediwouldappreiateitsvaluemorethanhehad.”

“howvagueandunhelpful,”harrymuttered.henotiedthelineofworryonmalfoy’sforehead,atensewrinkleaboveanexpetantstare.thelookhegaveharrywasalmostaplea,asifmalfoyouldtellharrysawrightthroughhimbutimploredhimtoletitgoanyway.butharryouldn’tletitgo.malfoyhadbeenhidingvaluableinformationtheentiretime,andallharryouldthinkwaswhatelse?

“iabsolutelywillnotrespondtomrs.vistrgain,grimbie,”afamiliarvoiesaidattheotherendoftheroom.“ian’tomprehendwhysomeonewouldbatheinpumpkinjuie.”harrytwistedaroundandouldmakeoutthevagueformofarhieeversworn.himself.

realizingtheyhadtogetoutofthehotel,harrysearhedaroundforadisguise.thepurplefuroatseemedasgoodasany.grabbingit,hethrewitonandastaquikgmouronhimself.whenhegnedatmalfoy,theotherwizardwasdoingthesame.malfoyhaddonnedasleekbkleatherjaketandabowlerhat.

theywaitedfortheotherharrytoleaveandthenrushedoutintothelobby.amanintheguesthek-inqueuestaredatthepairofthemastheyfumbledforwardtowardthemaindoors.malfoylokedeyeswiththehotelguest,thenslinkedtoharry,drapedhisarmoverhisshoulder,pulledhimlose,andwinked.themanflushedandturnedawaytowardtheserviedesk.

“youknow,”malfoydrawledastheymadetheirwayoutontothestreet.hepulledawayandputafewinhesofspaebetweenthem.“ialwaysthoughtgryffindorredwasyourbestolor,butthis,”hepointedtothepurpleshagoat.“thissuitsyouperfetly,potter.”