Page 222 - [2]Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

THE POLYJUICE POTION

play Exploding Snap loudly without bothering anyone, and prac-
tice 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 Christ-
mas because it was his duty as a prefect to support the teachers dur-
ing 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 win-
dow.
“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 lace-
wings 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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