Ignorance Is Humanity's Greatest Predicament

"Stupefy!"

Harry had already moved to the spot where the goblin stood—it was standing there, looking up happily at the wizard who now had no head. Harry aimed at Bellatrix's back as she peered around the fountain.

She reacted remarkably quickly, and Harry barely managed to dodge.

"Protego!"

The red Stunning Spell he had cast rebounded toward him. Harry hurriedly ducked behind the fountain again, and one of the goblin's ears flew off.

"Potter, I'll give you one chance now!" Bellatrix shouted. "Give me the Prophecy Orb—roll it over to me along the ground—and I'll spare your life!"

"Really? Then it looks like I'm going to die, because it's already broken!"

As Harry shouted, a sharp pain shot through his forehead. His scar was burning again.

He felt a surge of intense rage that had nothing to do with his own anger.

"He knows!" Harry said with a wild laugh, one that rivaled Bellatrix's. "Your dear old friend Voldemort knows the Prophecy Orb has been shattered! He won't be pleased with you, will he?"

"What? What do you mean?" she screamed, panic showing in her voice for the first time.

"It got smashed when I was dragging Neville up the stairs! What do you think Voldemort will say about that?"

His scar was blazing, the searing pain unbearable, bringing tears to his eyes.

"Liar!" she shrieked, but now he could hear fear beneath her fury. "It's in your hand, Potter, you'll give it to me! Accio Prophecy Orb! Accio Prophecy Orb!"

Harry laughed again, because he knew it would infuriate her. The pain in his forehead grew ever more violent, and he felt as though his skull were about to burst.

He stuck a hand out from behind the one-eared goblin and waved it twice, then immediately pulled it back.