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A number of ragged people sat huddled in doorwaysHe heard them moaning to the few passersby, pleading for gold, insisting that they were really wizardsOne man had a bloody bandage over his eye
As they set off along the street, the beggars glimpsed Hermionethey seemed to melt away before her, drawing hoods over their faces and fleeing as fast as they couldHermione looked after them curiously, until the man with the bloodied bandage came staggering right across her path
"My children," he bellowed, pointing at herHis voice was cracked, high-pitched, he sounded distraught"Where are my children? What has he done with them? You know, you know!"
"I\a150\a150I really\a150\a150" stammered Hermione
The man lunged at her, reaching for her throatThen, with a bang and a burst of red light he was thrown backward onto the ground, unconsciousRon stood there, his wand still outstretched and a look of shock visible behind his beardFaces appeared at the windows on either vintage chanel jewelry side of the street, while a little knot of prosperous-looking passerby gathered their robes about them and broke into gentle trots, keen to vacate the scene
their entrance into Diagon Alley could hardly have been more conspicuous; for a moment Harry wondered whether it might not be better to leave now and try to think of a different planBefore they could move or consult one another, however, they heard a cry from behind them
"Why, Madam Lestrange!"
Harry whirled around and Griphook tightened his hold around Harry's neck: A tall, think wizard with a crown of bushy gray hair and a long, sharp nose was striding toward them
"It's Travers," hissed the goblin into Harry's ear, but at that moment Harry could not think who Travers wasHermione had drawn herself up to full height and said with as much contempt as she could muster:
"And what do you want?"
Travers stopped in his tracks, clearly affronted
"He's another Death Eater!" breathed Griphook, and Harry sidled cheap prada handbags sideways to repeat the information into Hermione's ear
"I merely sought to greet you," said Travers coolly, "but if my presence is not welcome
Harry recognized his voice now: Travers was one of the Death Eaters who had been summoned to Xenophilius's house
"No, no, not at all, Travers," said Hermione quickly, trying to cover up her mistake"How are you?"
"Well, I confess I am surprised to see you out and about, Bellatrix
"Really? Why?" asked Hermione
"Well," Travers coughed, "I heard that the Inhabitants of Malfoy Manor were confined to the house, after the
Harry willed Hermione to keep her headIf this was true, and Bellatrix was not supposed to be out in public\a150\a150
"The Dark Lord forgives those who have served him most faithfully in the past," said Hermione in a magnificent imitation of Bellatrix's most contemptuous manner"Perhaps your credit is not as good with him as mine is, Travers
Though the Death Eater looked offended, he also seemed less chanel watch women suspiciousHe glanced down at the man Ron had just Stunned
"How did it offend you?"
"It does not matter, it will not do so again," said Hermione coolly
"Some of these wandless can be troublesome," said Travers"While they do nothing but beg I have no objection, but one of them actually asked me to plead her case in the Ministry last week'I'm a witch, sir, I'm a witch, let me prove it to you!" he said in a squeaky impersonation"As if I was going to give her my wand\a150\a150but whose wand," said Travers curiously, "are you using at the moment, Bellatrix? I heard that your own was\a150\a150"
"I have my wand here," said Hermione coldly, holding up Bellatrix's wand"I don't know what rumors you have been listening to, Travers, but you seem sadly misinformed
Travers seemed a little taken aback at that, and he turned instead to Ron
"Who is your friend? I do not recognize him
"This is Dragomir Despard," said Hermione; they had decided that a fictional foreigner was quilted chanel bag the safest cover for Ron to assume"He speaks very little English, but he is in sympathy with the Dark Lord's aimsHe has traveled here from Transylvania to see our new regime
"Indeed? How do you do, Dragomir?"
"'Ow you?" said Ron, holding out his hand
Travers extended two fingers and shook Ron's hand as though frightened of dirtying himself
So what brings you and your\a150\a150ah\a150\a150sympathetic friend to Diagon Alley this early?" asked Travers
"I need to visit Gringotts," said Hermione
"Alas, I also," said Travers"Gold, filthy gold! We cannot live without it, yet I confess I deplore the necessity of consorting with our long-fingered friends
Harry felt Griphook's clasped hands tighten momentarily around his neck
"Shall we?" said Travers, gesturing Hermione forward
Hermione had no choice but to fall into step beside him and head along the crooked, cobbled street toward the place where the snowy-white Gringotts stood towering over the other little vintage omega watches shops |
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