[163] The Echo of a Scream

Ron watched Ginny walk away from Hall. He looked conflicted — wanting to approach but hesitating. By the time he boarded the Hogwarts Express, he still hadn't exchanged a word with Hall.

"Did you and Hall have another fight?" Hermione asked calmly.

Ron nearly jumped. "Are you a witch?" He caught himself. "How did you know?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I saw it with my own eyes."

Ron turned to Harry. "Bro, I think she can read minds!"

Harry looked listless. "It's easy to tell. You sit here like you've got a nail under your bum. Besides Hall, I can't think of anyone else who could make you like this."

Ron's confidence deflated.

Hermione pressed on. "There's only one reason you two are arguing —"

"That's right! It's all Hall's fault —"

"It's all your fault," Hermione finished.

Ron's face twisted. "My fault? I'm not wrong! Hall insisted on protecting that Malfoy —"

"Because they're both Slytherins. They're friends." Hermione's tone was flat.

Ron looked like he was about to be sick.

"You've known this for a while. Why are you still surprised?" Hermione frowned. "Or do you just want to mess with Hall to get his attention?"

Ron flushed. "I didn't — this time is different! Didn't you know what happened on Halloween? There was a mass breakout in Azkaban! The most likely culprit is —"

"They say Sirius Black did it," Harry said.

Ron's words caught in his throat.

Hermione's head snapped toward Harry. "I went home and didn't keep up with the wizarding world. Are you sure our vacation was only two weeks? I feel like I missed a whole term!"

"Yes, someone escaped from Azkaban," Harry said, his voice tinged with dejection. "One of them was Sirius's cousin, I think. The Ministry said it was likely Sirius's doing — a coordinated effort."

"How could this be!" Hermione was outraged. "Sirius could never do such a thing! Just because he was imprisoned there, the Ministry slanders him? This is absurd!"

"I think it's absurd too," Hall said, pushing open the door.

Ron, about to say something, shut his mouth.

Hermione didn't care. Her hair practically stood on end. "Hall! You're here! Do you know what's going on?"

Hall sat down opposite Harry. "The biggest breakout in Azkaban's history — ten people. Minister Fudge can't bear the responsibility. He needs a scapegoat."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Hermione wanted to slam her fist on the table.

"He released Dementors and surrounded Malfoy Manor," Hall continued. "Anyone who didn't know better would think Fudge was the Dark Lord leading the Death Eaters back."

Hermione gasped.

"From Malfoy to Black, he's smearing anyone related to the Lestranges. The wizarding world is too small — everyone's intermarried at some point."

"Then we just watch him do this?" Hermione's voice rose. "Is being Minister of Magic that easy?"

"It's not hard to be Minister. Being good at it is." Hall smiled. "If it were you, Hermione, you'd probably do a great job. Want to become Minister someday? I can invest in you."

Ron's eyes went wide. "Invest?!"

Hermione tossed her hair, face radiating confidence. "I'd considered becoming an Auror. But Minister for Magic sounds more challenging." She paused. "I don't need your investment. Not now. Ask me again in a few years."

Hall nodded.

Harry and Ron listened, mouths agape, as if Hall and Hermione had the Minister's office already in their grasp.

"Were we just discussing this?" Harry pushed up his glasses.

"It doesn't seem so?" Ron blinked. "But I can't quite remember."

"Anyway — what exactly is Fudge trying to do?" Hermione asked.

"Hard to say. He values his position. What he'll do next..." Hall shook his head.

"That little tiger..."

Outside, swarms of Dementors roamed. Inside, students trembled. The older ones fared better. The younger ones instinctively gravitated toward Hall.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione finally got a look at the little tiger. Tiny. But incredibly majestic. It even had a pair of small wings.

"Hall, what's that?" Ron couldn't resist. He crouched and ruffled its fur, eyes practically radiating affection. He'd always said he didn't like felines. But no one could resist something this majestic — even if it was just a little tiger.

"It's my Patronus. The Patronus Charm wards off Dementors."

"Will mine be the same?" Ron's eyes sparkled.

"Probably not. It's rare for two people to have the same Patronus." Hall paused, thinking of Harry and Professor Snape. "There are a few exceptions. The Patronus reflects your inner self."

Ron was disappointed, then perked up. "Can I learn it? I want a cool one, just for me!"

Before Hall could answer, Hermione tossed her hair. "Expecto Patronum! That's a fifth-year spell, isn't it?"

Hall nodded.

"An advanced spell. Not everyone can learn it." Hermione looked at Ron. "You'd need a lot of talent."

Ron waved his hands. "No, no — I'll think about it!"

A spell fifth-years couldn't even master? He didn't have such lofty goals.

"No, you do have talent," Hermione insisted. "You got a B+ last year. Aim for an A. That shows you're smart." She didn't finish the thought — you just don't use it properly. "I'm interested too. Harry, Ron, let's learn together!"

Harry pointed at himself. "Huh?"

"Do you still want to help Sirius?"

"Learn! I'll learn right now!"

Two to one. Ron's protest was suppressed.

Hall watched, impressed. Hermione had barely set Minister for Magic as her goal and she was already learning how to use tactics effectively.

"Hmph!" Draco snorted loudly. "I want to learn too!"

"Malfoy, you —"

"As long as Hall doesn't mind," Hermione said.

Draco stared at Hall.

Hall rubbed his fingers together.

Before Draco could react, Hall turned to Hermione. "If you want to teach with me, you'll have to pay. I'm not free."

"Put it on my tab. Early investment."

Hall raised an eyebrow but didn't refuse. He'd started it, after all.

Draco looked between them, sensing something, but didn't ask. "It's just Galleons! My parents gave me pocket money before I came." A lot. More than previous years. He held up two fingers. "Is 200 Galleons enough?"

"That's enough."

Zabini poked his head out from beside Draco. "Want me in? Since we're classmates, and Draco gave so much — how about 100 Galleons?" He shrugged helplessly. "I really don't have that much pocket money."

Hall watched his performance. "Discuss it with Draco."

Zabini turned. "Young Master Malfoy~"

Draco looked disgusted. "Fine, fine! One more won't matter! Don't disgust me!"

Pansy looked at Draco, then at Hall, timidly. "I'll offer 200 Galleons too. Can I join?"

200 Galleons... that hurt.

Daphne hesitated. Love and money — such a difficult choice.

Hall agreed. His classmate was a love-struck fool. He only loved Galleons.

Daphne, after much deliberation, stayed quiet. 200 Galleons was enough for a new outfit. Spending it on a spell she might not even master... she couldn't do it.