分卷阅读8（2 / 2）

Unable to stop himself from exhaling irritably, Harry took a step back and crossed his arms. The added space between them drew a look from Malfoy. If he knew more than he was saying, Harry had to get as much information as he could, which meant going along with the ridiculous break in idea. It also meant they might rescue Bertrice, if she was in fact in need of rescuing. So Harry stepped to the side and pointed to the back of the row of homes. “Well, then, lead the way.”

They found their way around the first couple of gardens easily enough. It wasn’t ideal, but apparition was risky around homes with any number of possible wards to counter magic. Harry refused to let Malfoy’s athletic ability impress him and turned his back the second time Malfoy backflipped over a fence. “Is that necessary?” Harry couldn’t stop himself.

“Absolutely,” Malfoy drawled. “Isn’t it obvious, Eversworn? I haven’t met my backflip quota for the week.”

“Get on with it.”

Malfoy took his wand out and approached the backdoor of the townhome. “Alohamora.”

The door opened.

“I can not believe that actually worked,” Harry breathed. Malfoy grinned back at him and then pushed through the door. Harry took out his wand and followed.

The house was dark; it took a few moments for Harry’s eyes to adjust. They didn’t focus in time to see a massive stack of newspapers directly in front of him. He was an inch from colliding with it when Malfoy pulled him sideways against his chest. Malfoy put his index finger over his lips and jerked his head toward the other side of the room.

Guinevere, the kneazle, sat on top of the endless piles of newspapers. She stared at them and they back at her for close to a minute. For a moment, Harry could swear the thing looked angry with him. Then, in a blur of red fluff, the animal lunged at Harry and dug her claws into his right upper leg.

“Silencio.” Malfoy pointed his wand at Harry just as he started to scream out in pain. Then he roughly grabbed Harry’s wrists when he attempted to swat the thing off of him. Malfoy whispered, “Let me take it,” and proceeded to wait an insufferable amount of time before carefully prying the claws off of Harry’s leg one by one. Then Malfoy lifted Guinevere and curled her into his arms.

Harry glared at the two of them. Enjoying yourself? he mouthed at Malfoy.

The other man replied with a satisfied smirk.

Rolling his eyes, Harry brushed passed them, careful not to touch the stacks of papers. Merlin, there had to be thousands of copies. He made for the door out of the room. No lights shone in the hall, and he motioned for Malfoy to follow. When Harry turned to see if Malfoy was close, his face practically collided with the kneazle. Harry sent Malfoy a glare, and mouthed What are you doing?

“She likes me,” Malfoy whispered and the thing nuzzled his chin.

Harry decided to ignore them until he found Bertrice. He crept down the hall, passing two closed doors, until he found an archway leading to a parlour. As soon as he glanced inside, he recognized the blue curtains at the end of the room. And sure enough, Bertrice sat half perched in a chair and in the window, gazing out. Harry was about to get her attention when Malfoy waved in his face and pointed to the opposite side of the room.

“Yes, I know what the others are saying.” It was the voice of the woman who’d answered the door the night before. Harry followed the sound and saw her bent over, head in the Floo. He practically tripped over himself in the doorway and fell into the room with a thud.

Harry froze as Bertrice turned to face him but then the woman in the Floo shouted, “Guinevere! Quit swatting the pendulum!” Bertrice glanced at the fireplace and then back at Harry, noticing Malfoy standing behind him. Harry motioned for her to move closer to him.

She slid off the chair and comfortably fell on all fours, making her way across the room to Harry with a predatory look on her face. Harry had a sinking feeling there was something very wrong with Bertrice Zivantus.

“You can’t possibly blame me for this! I voted against it!” the woman shrieked into the Floo.