Only after watching the door to the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts' office close did he move.
Su Er lowered his head to look at the envelope Ginny had delivered. He broke the wax seal, revealing a piece of stiff, gold-bordered paper.
After reading it, Su Er could not help marveling.
You really outdid yourself, Dumbledore.
It was an invitation. Su Er gazed at the date written in dark green ink, March 23, 1997, and murmured.
"That much earlier?"
March 23 was merely the first Sunday after the spring equinox in the ancient East, but in the West, it was a very important holiday. People held feasts on this day to celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead and the hope of eternal life he brought to all humanity.
The venue was Hogsmeade.
Only members of the Order of the Phoenix could receive this invitation.
The organizer was Albus Dumbledore.
They would hold the feast at the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade.
"Is this all right to wear?" Hermione turned in a circle in front of Su Er.
"It's perfect. Couldn't be better." Su Er smiled at the nervous-looking Hermione. "You look good in anything."
Indeed, Hermione would be accompanying Su Er to the Order of the Phoenix's private feast that evening. Su Er knew perfectly well that Hogwarts would be very lively tonight-and very dangerous, too.
"Is it appropriate for me to go with you today?" Hermione threw out her second question.
"There's nothing inappropriate about it. You know everyone attending today, and all of them know who I am." Su Er glanced out the window. Gray clouds hung low, and the sky was very dark.
"It's about time. Let's go."
Emerald flames flared in the fireplace. After two clearly spoken calls of "Shrieking Shack, Hogsmeade," the office