Dumbledore's Memory

Katie was transferred to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries the very next day.

By then, news of her being cursed had spread throughout the school, though no one knew the specifics. Aside from Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Lini, it seemed nobody knew that Katie herself had not been the intended target of the necklace.

"Oh, Malfoy knew, of course."

Harry said this to Ron and Hermione, but received no response. Whenever they heard Harry bring up the idea that "Malfoy is a Death Eater," the two of them could only keep pretending not to hear.

Of course Malfoy was a Death Eater. Hermione knew that perfectly well, but facts were facts; if nobody believed them, then they were useless no matter how true they were.

Dumbledore had gone somewhere.

Harry even wondered whether he would be back in time for their lesson on Monday evening. The question troubled him for several days. Meanwhile, Hermione gradually began meeting Jon less often for questions and answers. Jon was extremely busy too, and the only reason he could spare a little time to meet with her was because he had matters to handle at school lately. Over the past few days, those matters had begun drawing to a close.

Hog—that was, the fusion of the school castle and the Magic Net—was nearing completion.

That was obviously more important.

Since he had received no notice that the lesson was cancelled, Harry still appeared outside Dumbledore's office promptly at eight that evening.

He knocked lightly on the door. Thank goodness, a voice inside told him to come in.

Dumbledore sat there looking especially weary. That hand was still blackened and shrivelled as before, but he smiled and gestured for Harry to sit down.

The Pensieve had once again been placed on the