Scrimgeour, Ron, and Hermione continued to gaze...
Scrimgeour, Ron, and Hermione continued to gaze avidly at the now partially concealed ball, as if still hoping it might transform in some way
"That was dramatic," said Harry coollyBoth Ron and Hermione laughed
"That's all, then, is it?" asked Hermione, making to raise herself off the sofa
"Not quite," said Scrimgeour, who looked bad tempered now"Dumbledore left you a second bequest, Potter
"What is it?" asked Harry, excitement rekindling
Scrimgeour did not bother to read from the will this time
"The sword of Godric Gryffindor," he saidHermione and Ron both stiffenedHarry looked around for a sign of the ruby-encrusted hilt, but Scrimgeour did not pull the sword from the leather pouch, which in any case looked much too small to contain it
"So where is it?" Harry asked suspiciously
"Unfortunately," said Scrimgeour, "that sword was not Dumbledore's to give awayThe sword of Godric Gryffindor is an important historical artifact, and as such, belongs\a150\a150"
"It dior detective bag belongs to Harry!" said Hermione hotly"It chose him, he was the one who found it, it came to him out of the Sorting Hat\a150\a150"
"According to reliable historical sources, the sword may present itself to any worthy Gryffindor," said Scrimgeour"That does not make it the exclusive property of MrPotter, whatever Dumbledore may have decided Scrimgeour scratched his badly shaven cheek, scrutinizing Harry"Why do you think\a150\a150?"
"\a150\a150Dumbledore wanted to give me the sword?" said Harry, struggling to keep his temper"Maybe he thought it would look nice on my wall
"This is not a joke, Potter!" growled Scrimgeour"Was it because Dumbledore believed that only the sword of Godric Gryffindor could defeat the Heir of Slytherin? Did he wish to give you that sword, Potter, because he believed, as do many, that you are the one destined to destroy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"
"Interesting theory," said Harry"Has anyone ever tried sticking a sword in Voldemort? Maybe the dior Ministry should put some people onto that, instead of wasting their time stripping down Deluminators or covering up breakouts from AzkabanSo this is what you've been doing, Minister, shut up in your office, trying to break open a Snitch? People are dying - I was nearly one of them - Voldemort chased me across three countries, he killed Mad-Eye Moody, but there's no word about any of that from the Ministry, has there? And you still expect us to cooperate with you!"
"You go too far!" shouted Scrimgeour, standing up: Harry jumped to his feet tooScrimgeour limped toward Harry and jabbed him hard in the chest with the point of his wand; It singed a hole in Harry's T-shirt like a lit cigarette
"Oi!" said Ron, jumping up and raising his own wand, but Harry said,
"No! D'you want to give him an excuse to arrest us?"
"Remembered you're not at school, have you?" said Scrimgeour breathing hard into Harry's face"Remembered that I am not Dumbledore, who forgave your tiffany & co. heart necklace insolence
and insubordination? You may wear that scar like a crown, Potter, but it is not up to a seventeen-year-old boy to tell me how to do my job! It's time you learned some respect!"
"It's time you earned it
The floor trembled; there was a sound of running footsteps, then the door to the sitting room burst open and Mr
"We \a150\a150- we thought we heard \a150\a150" began MrWeasley, looking thoroughly alarmed at the sight of Harry and the Minister virtually nose to nose
"\a151raised voices," panted Mrs
Scrimgeour took a couple of steps back from Harry, glancing at the hole he had made in Harry's T-shirtHe seemed to regret his loss of temper
"It - it was nothing," he growled"I \a133 regret your attitude," he said, looking Harry full in the face once more"You seem to think that the Ministry does not desire what you - what Dumbledore - desiredWe ought to work together
"I don't like your methods, Minister," said Harry"Remember?"
For the second time, he raised his tiffany & co. jewelry right fist and displayed to Scrimgeour the scar that still showed white on the back of it, spelling \iI must not tell lies\i Scrimgeour's expression hardenedHe turned away without another word and limped from the roomWeasley hurried after him; Harry heard her stop at the back doorAfter a minute or so she called, "He's gone!"
What did he want?" MrWeasley asked, looking around at Harry, Ron, and Hermione as MrsWeasley came hurrying back to them
"To give us what Dumbledore left us," said Harry"They've only just released the content of his will
Outside in the garden, over the dinner tables, the three objects Scrimgeour had given them were passed from hand to handEveryone exclaimed over the Deluminator and \iThe Tales of Beedle the Bard\i and lamented the fact that Scrimgeour had refused to pass on the sword, but none of them could offer any suggestion as to why Dumbledore would have left Harry an old SnitchWeasley examined the Deluminator for the third of fourth time, omega usa Mr