3.harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban-第6章

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　　〃　all　You…Know…'Oo's　supporters　was　tracked　down；　wasn't　they；　Ern？　Most　of　'em　knew　it　was　all　over；　wiv　You…Know…'Oo　gone；　and　they　came　quiet。　But　not　Sirius　Black。　I　'eard　he　thought　'e'd　be　second…in…mand　once　You…Know…'Oo　'ad　taken　over。
　　〃Anyway；　they　cornered　Black　in　the　middle　of　a　street　full　of　Muggles　an'　Black　took　out　'is　wand　and　'e　blasted　'alf　the　street　apart；　an'　a　wizard　got　it；　an'　so　did　a　dozen　Muggles　what　got　in　the　way。　'Orrible；　eh？　An'　you　know　what　Black　did　then？〃　Stan　continued　in　a　dramatic　whisper。
　　〃What？〃　said　Harry。
　　〃Laughed；〃　said　Stan。　〃Jus'　stood　there　an'　laughed。　An'　when　reinforcements　from　the　Ministry　of　Magic　got　there；　I　'e　went　wiv　em　quiet　as　anyfink；　still　laughing　'is　'ead　off。　'Cos　'e's　mad；　inee；　Ern？　Inee　mad？〃
　　〃If　he　weren't　when　he　went　to　Azkaban；　he　will　be　now；〃　said　Ern　in　his　slow　voice。　〃I'd　blow　meself　up　before　I　set　foot　in　that　place。　Serves　him　right；　mind　you　。。。　after　what　he　did。。。。〃
　　〃They　'ad　a　job　coverin'　it　up；　din'　they；　Ern？〃　Stan　said。　〃'Ole　street　blown　up　an'　all　them　Muggles　dead。　What　was　it　they　said　ad　'appened；　Ern？〃
　　〃Gas　explosion；〃　grunted　Ernie。
　　〃An'　now　'e's　out；〃　said　Stan；　examining　the　newspaper　picture　of　Black's　gaunt　face　again。　〃Never　been　a　breakout　from　Azkaban　before；　'as　there；　Ern？　Beats　me　'ow　'e　did　it。　Frightenin'；　eh？　Mind；　I　don't　fancy　'is　chances　against　them　Azkaban　guards；　eh；　Ern？〃
　　Ernie　suddenly　shivered。
　　〃Talk　about　summat　else；　Stan；　there's　a　good　lad。　Them　Azkaban　guards　give　me　the　collywobbles。〃
　　Stan　put　the　paper　away　reluctantly；　and　Harry　leaned　against　the　window　of　the　Knight　Bus；　feeling　worse　than　ever。　He　couldn't　help　imagining　what　Stan　might　be　telling　his　passengers　in　a　few　nights'　time。
　　〃'Ear　about　that　'Arry　Potter？　Blew　up　'is　aunt！　We　'ad　'im　'ere　on　the　Knight　Bus；　di'n't　we；　Ern？　'E　was　tryin'　I　to　run　for　it。。。。〃
　　He；　Harry；　had　broken　wizard　law　just　like　Sirius　Black。　Was　inflating　Aunt　Marge　bad　enough　to　land　him　in　Azkaban？　Harry　didn't　know　anything　about　the　wizard　prison；　though　everyone　he'd　ever　heard　speak　of　it　did　so　in　the　same　fearful　tone。　Hagrid；　the　Hogwarts　gamekeeper；　had　spent　two　months　there　only　last　year。　Harry　wouldn't　soon　forget　the　look　of　terror　on　Hagrid's　face　when　he　had　been　told　where　he　was　going；　and　Hagrid　was　one　of　the　bravest　people　Harry　knew。
　　The　Knight　Bus　rolled　through　the　darkness；　scattering　bushes　and　wastebaskets；　telephone　booths　and　trees；　and　Harry　lay；　restless　and　miserable；　on　his　feather　bed。　After　a　while；　Stan　remembered　that　Harry　had　paid　for　hot　chocolate；　but　poured　it　all　over　Harry's　pillow　when　the　bus　moved　abruptly　from　Anglesea　to　Aberdeen。　One　by　one；　wizards　and　witches　in　dressing　gowns　and　slippers　descended　from　the　upper　floors　to　leave　the　bus。　They　all　looked　very　pleased　to　go。
　　Finally；　Harry　was　the　only　passenger　left。
　　〃Right　then；　Neville；〃　said　Stan；　clapping　his　hands；　where　abouts　in　London？〃
　　〃Diagon　Alley；〃　said　Harry。
　　〃Righto；〃　said　Stan。　〃'Old　tight；　then。〃
　　BANG。
　　They　were　thundering　along　Charing　Cross　Road。　Harry　sat　up　and　watched　buildings　and　benches　squeezing　themselves　out　of　the　Knight　Bus's　way。　The　sky　was　getting　a　little　lighter。　He　would　lie　low　for　a　couple　of　hours；　go　to　Gringotts　the。　moment　it　opened；　then　set　off　　where；　he　didn't　know。
　　Ern　slammed　on　the　brakes　and　the　Knight　Bus　skidded　to　a　halt　in　front　of　a　small　and　shabby…　looking　pub；　the　Leaky　Cauldron；　behind　which　lay　the　magical　entrance　to　Diagon　Alley。
　　〃Thanks；〃　Harry　said　to　Ern。
　　He　jumped　down　the　steps　and　helped　Stan　lower　his　trunk　and　Hedwig's　cage　onto　the　pavement。
　　〃Well；〃　said　Harry。　〃'Bye　then！〃
　　But　Stan　wasn't　paying　attention。　Still　standing　in　the　doorway　to　the　bus）　he　was　goggling　at　the　shadowy　entrance　to　the　Leaky　Cauldron。　〃There　you　are；　Harry；〃　said　a　voice。
　　Before　Harry　could　turn；　he　felt　a　hand　on　his　shoulder。　At　the　same　time；　Stan　shouted；　〃Blimey！　Ern；　e　'ere！　e　'ere　I〃
　　Harry　looked　up　at　the　owner　of　the　hand　on　his　shoulder　and　felt　a　bucketful　of　ice　cascade　into　his　stomach　　he　had　walked　right　into　Cornelius　Fudge；　the　Minister　of　Magic　himself。
　　Stan　leapt　onto　the　pavement　beside　them。
　　〃What　didja　call　Neville；　Minister？〃　he　said　excitedly。
　　Fudge；　a　portly　little　man　in　a　long；　pinstriped　cloak；　looked　cold　and　exhausted。
　　〃Neville？〃　he　repeated；　frowning。　〃This　is　Harry　Potter。〃
　　〃I　knew　it！〃　Stan　shouted　gleefully。　〃Ern！　Ern！　Guess　'oo　Neville　is；　Ern！　'E's　'Arry　Potter！　I　can　see　'is　scar！〃
　　〃Yes；〃　said　Fudge　testily；　〃well；　I'm　very　glad　the　Knight　Bus　picked　Harry　up；　but　he　and　I　need　to　step　inside　the　Leaky　Cauldron　now。。。〃
　　Fudge　increased　the　pressure　on　Harry's　shoulder；　and　Harry　found　himself　being　steered　inside　the　pub。　A　stooping　figure　bearing　a　lantern　appeared　through　the　door　behind　the　bar。　It　was　Tom；　the　wizened；　toothless　landlord。
　　〃You've　got　him；　Minister！〃　said　Tom。　〃Will　you　be　wanting　anything？　Beer？　Brandy？〃
　　〃Perhaps　a　pot　of　tea；〃　said　Fudge；　who　still　hadn't　let　go　of　Harry。
　　There　was　a　loud　scraping　and　puffing　from　behind　them；　and　Stan　and　Ern　appeared；　carrying　Harry's　trunk　and　Hedwig's　cage　and　looking　around　excitedly。
　　〃'Ow　e　you　di'n't　tell　us　'oo　you　are；　eh；　Neville？〃　said　Stan；　beaming　at　Harry；　while　Ernie's　owlish　face　peered　interestedly　over　Stan's　shoulder。
　　〃And　a　private　parlor；　please；　Tom；〃　said　Fudge　pointedly。
　　‘Bye；〃　Harry　said　miserably　to　Stan　and　Ern　as　Tom　beckoned　Fudge　toward　the　passage　that　led　from　the　bar。
　　〃'Bye；　Neville！〃　called　Stan。
　　Fudge　marched　Harry　along　the　narrow　passage　after　Tom's　lantern；　and　then　into　a　small　parlor。　Tom　clicked　his　fingers；　a　fire　burst　into　life　in　the　grate；　and　he　bowed　himself　out　of　the　room。
　　〃Sit　down；　Harry；〃　said　Fudge；　indicating　a　chair　by　the　fire。
　　Harry　sat　down；　feeling　goose　bumps　rising　up　his　arms　despite　the　glow　of　the　fire。　Fudge　took　off　his　pinstriped　cloak　and　tossed　it　aside；　then　hitched　up　the　trousers　of　his　bottle…green　suit　and　sat　down　opposite　Harry。
　　〃I　am　Cornelius　Fudge；　Harry。　The　Minister　of　Magic。〃
　　Harry　already　knew　this；　of　course；　he　had　seen　Fudge　once　before；　but　as　he　had　been　wearing　his　father's　Invisibility　Cloak　at　the　time；　Fudge　wasn't　to　know　that。
　　Tom　the　innkeeper　reappeared；　wearing　an　apron　over　his　nightshirt　and　bearing　a　tray　of　tea　and　crumpets。　He　placed　the　tray　on　a　table　between　Fudge　and　Harry　and　left　the　parlor；　closing　the　door　behind　him。
　　〃Well；　Harry；〃　said　Fudge；　pouring　out　tea；　〃you've　had　us　all　in　a　right　flap；　I　don't　mind　telling　you。　Running　away　from　your　aunt　and　uncle's　house　like　that！　I'd　started　to　think。。。　but　you're　safe；　and　that's　what　matters。〃
　　Fudge　buttered　himself　a　crumpet　and　pushed　the　plate　toward　Harry。
　　〃Eat；　Harry；　you　look　dead　on　your　feet。　Now　then。。。　You　will　be　pleased　to　hear　that　we　have　dealt　with　the　unfortunate　blowing…up　of　Miss　Marjorie　Dursley。　Two　members　of　the　Accidental　Magic　Reversal　Department　were　dispatched　to　Privet　Drive　a　few　hours　ago。　Miss　Dursley　has　been　punctured　and　her　memory　has　been　modified。　She　has　no　recollection　of　the　incident　at　all。　So　that's　that；　and　no　harm　done。〃
　　Fudge　smiled　at　Harry　over　the　rim　of　his　teacup；　rather　like　an　uncle　surveying　a　favorite　nephew。　Harry；　who　couldn't　believe　his　ears；　opened　his　mouth　to　speak；　couldn't　think　of　anything　to　say；　and　closed　it　again。
　　〃Ah；　you're　worrying　about　the　reaction　of　your　aunt　and　uncle？〃　said　Fudge。　〃Well；　I　won't　deny　that　they　are　extremely　angry；　Harry；　but　they　are　prepared　to　take　you　back　next　summer　as　long　as　you　stay　at　Hogwarts　for　the　Christmas　and　Easter　holidays。〃
　　Harry　unstuck　his　throat。
　　〃I　always　stay　at　Hogwarts　for　the　Christmas　and　Easter　holidays；〃　he　said；　〃and　I　don't　ever　want　to　go　back　to　Privet　Drive。〃
　　〃Now；　now；　I'm　sure　you'll　feel　differently　once　you've　calmed　down；〃　said　Fudge　in　a　worried　tone。　〃They　are　your　family；　after　all；　and　I'm　sure　you　are　fond　of　each　other　　er　　very　deep　down。〃
　　It　didn't　occur　to　Harry　to　put　Fudge　right。　He　was　still　waiting　to　hear　what　was　going　to　happen　to　him　now。
　　〃So　all　that　remains；〃　said　Fudge；　now　buttering　himself　a　second　crumpet；　〃is　to　decide　where　you're　going　to　spend　the　last　two　weeks　of　your　vacation。　I　suggest　you　take　a　room　here　at　the　Leaky　Cauldron　and
　　〃Hang　on；〃　blurted　Harry。　〃What　about　my　punishment？〃
　　Fudge　blinked。　〃Punishment？〃
　　〃I　broke　the　law！〃　Harry　said。　〃The　Decree　for　the　Restriction　of　Underage　Wizardry！〃
　　〃Oh；　my　dear　boy；　we're　not　going　to　punish　you　for　a　little　thing　like　that！〃　cried　Fudge；　waving　his　crumpet　impatiently。　〃It　was　an　accident！　We　don't　send　people　to　Azkaban　just　for　blowing　up　their　aunts！〃
　　But　this　didn't　tally　at　all　with　Harry's　past　dealings　with　the　Ministry　of　Magic。
　　〃Last　year；　I　got　an　official　warning　just　because　a　house…elf　smashed　a　pudding　in　my　uncle's　house！〃　he　told　Fudge；　frowning。　〃The　Ministry　of　Magic　said　I'd　be　expelled　from　Hogwarts　if　there　was　any　more　magic　there！〃
　　Unless　Harry's　eyes　were　deceiving　him；　Fudge　was　suddenly　looking　awkward。
　　〃Circumstances　change；　Harry。。。　We　have　to　take　into　account。。。　in　the　present　climate。。。　Surely　you　don't　want　to　be　expelled？〃
　　〃Of　course　I　don't；〃　said　Harry。
　　〃Well　then；　what's　A　the　fuss　about？〃　laughed　Fudge。　〃Now；　have　a　crumpet；　Harry；　while　I　go　and　see　if　Tom's　got　a　room　for　you。〃
　　Fudge　strode　out　of　the　parlor　and　Harry　stared　after　him。　There　was　something　extremely　odd　going　on。　Why　had　Fudge　been　waiting　for　him　at　the　Leaky　Cauldron；　if　not　to　punish　him　for　what　he'd　done？　And　now　Harry　came　to　think　of　it；　surely　it　wasn't　usual　for　the　Minister　of　Magic　himself　to　get　involved　in　matters　of　underage　magic？
　　Fudge　came　back；　acpanied　by　Tom　the　innkeeper。
　　〃Room　eleven's　free；　Harry；〃　said　Fudge。　〃I　think　you'll　be　very　fortable。　just　one　thing；　and　I'm　sure　you'll　understand。。。　I　don't　want　you　wandering　off　into　Muggle　London；　all　right？　Keep　to　Diagon　Alley。　And　you're　to　be　back　here　before　dark　each　night。　Sure　you'll　understand。　Tom　will　be　keeping　an　eye　on　you　for　me。〃
　　〃Okay；〃　said　Harry　slowly；　〃but　why？〃
　　〃Don't　want　to　lose　you　again；　do　we？〃　said　Fudge　with　a　hearty　laugh。　〃No；　no。。。　best　we　know　where　you　are。。。。　I　mean。。。〃
　　Fudge　cleared　his　throat　loudly　and　picked　up　his　pinstriped　cloak。
　　〃Well；　I'll　be　off；　plenty　to　do；　you　know。。。
　　〃Have　you　had　any　luck　with　Black　yet？〃　Harry　asked。
　　Fudge's　finger　slipped　on　the　silver　fastenings　of　his　cloak。
　　〃What's　that？　Oh；　you've　heard　　well；　no；　not　yet；　but　it's　only　a　matter　of　time。　The　Azkaban　guards　have　never　yet　failed。。。　and　they　are　angrier　than　I've　ever　seen　them。〃
　　Fudge　shuddered　slightly。
　　〃So；　I'll　say　good…bye。〃
　　He　held　out　his　hand　and　Harry；　shaking　it；　had　a　sudden　idea。
　　〃Er　　Minister？　Can　I　ask　you　something？〃
　　〃Certainly；〃　said　Fudge　with　a　smile。
　　〃Well；　third　years　at　Hogwarts　are　allowed　to　visit　Hogsmeade；　but　my　aunt　and　uncle　didn't　sign　the　permission　for