THE POLYJUICE POTION
play Exploding Snap loudly without bothering anyone, and practice dueling in private. Fred, George, and Ginny had chosen to stay at school rather than visit Bill in Egypt with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Percy, who disapproved of what he termed their childish behavior, didn’ t spend much time in the Gryffindor common room. He had already told them pompously that he was only staying over Christmas because it was his duty as a prefect to support the teachers during this troubled time.
Christmas morning dawned, cold and white. Harry and Ron, the only ones left in their dormitory, were woken very early by Hermione, who burst in, fully dressed and carrying presents for them both.
“ Wake up,” she said loudly, pulling back the curtains at the window.
“ Hermione— you’ re not supposed to be in here—” said Ron, shielding his eyes against the light.
“ Merry Christmas to you, too,” said Hermione, throwing him his present.“ I’ ve been up for nearly an hour, adding more lacewings to the potion. It’ s ready.” Harry sat up, suddenly wide awake.“ Are you sure?”“ Positive,” said Hermione, shirting Scabbers the rat so that she could sit down on the end of Ron’ s four-poster.“ If we’ re going to do it, I say it should be tonight.”
At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room, carrying a very small package in her beak.
“ Hello,” said Harry happily as she landed on his bed.“ Are you speaking to me again?”
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