Weasley, who looked nervous"The, er, sitting room, why don't you use that?"
"You can lead the way," Scrimgeour said to Ron"There will be no need for you to accompany us, ArthurWeasley exchange a worried look with MrsWeasley as he, Ron, and Hermione stood upAs they led the way back to the house in silence, Harry knew that the other two were thinking the same as he was; Scrimgeour must, somehow, had learned that the three of them were planning to drop out of Hogwarts
Scrimgeour did not speak as they all passed through the messed kitchen and into the Burrow's sitting roomAlthough the garden had been full of soft golden evening light,
it was already dark in here; Harry flicked his wand at the oil lamps as he entered and they illuminated the shabby but cozy roomScrimgeour sat himself in the sagging armchair that MrWeasley normally occupied, leaving Harry, Ron, and Hermione omega ladies watch to squeeze side by side onto the sofaOnce they had done so, Scrimgeour spoke
"I have some questions for the three of you, and I think it will be best if we do it individuallyIf you two" \a150\a150 he pointed at Harry and Hermione \a150\a150 "can wait upstairs, I will start with Ronald
"We're not going anywhere," said Harry, while Hermione nodded vigorously"You can speak to us together, or not at all
Scrimgeour gave Harry a cold, appraising lookHarry had the impression that the Minister was wondering whether it was worthwhile opening hostilities this early
"Very well then, together," he said, shruggingHe cleared his throat"I am here, as I'm sure you know, because of Albus Dumbledore's will
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at one another
"A surprise, apparently! You were not aware then that Dumbledore had left you anything?"
"A-all of us?" said Ron, "Me and Hermione new chanel bags too?"
"Yes, all of \a150\a150"
But Harry interrupted
"Dumbledore died over a month agoWhy has it taken this long to give us what he left us?"
"Isn't it obvious?" said Hermione, before Scrimgeour could answer"They wanted to examine whatever he's left usYou had no right to do that!" she said, and her voice trembled slightly
"I had every right," said Scrimgeour dismissively"The Decree for Justifiable Confiscation gives the Ministry the power the confiscate the contents of a will\a150\a150"
"That law was created to stop wizards passing on Dark artifacts," said Hermione, "and the Ministry is supposed to have powerful evidence that the deceased's possessions are illegal before seizing them! Are you telling me that you thought Dumbledore was trying to pass us something cursed?"
"Are you planning to follow a career in Magical Law, Miss Granger?" asked Scrimgeour
"No, I'm not," chanel devil wears prada necklace retorted Hermione"I'm hoping to do some good in the world!"
Ron laughedScrimgeour's eyes flickered toward him and away again as Harry spoke
"So why have you decided to let us have our things now? Can't think of a pretext to keep them?"
"No, it'll be because thirty-one days are up," said Hermione at once"They can't keep the objects longer than that unless they can prove they're dangerousRight?"
"Would you say you were close to Dumbledore, Ronald?" asked Scrimgeour, ignoring Hermione
"Me? Not \a150\a150 not reallyIt was always Harry who
Ron looked around at Harry and Hermione, to see Hermione giving him a stop-talking-now! sort of look, but the damage was done; Scrimgeour looked as though he had
heard exactly what he had expected, and wanted, to hearHe swooped like a bird of prey upon Ron's answer
"If you were not very close to Dumbledore, how do you account for the chloe bag bay fact that he remembered you in his will? He made exceptionally few personal bequestsThe vast majority of his possessions \a150\a150 his private library, his magical instruments, and other personal effects \a150\a150 were left to HogwartsWhy do you think you were singled out?"
"Ihen I say we weren't close mean, I think he liked me
"You're being modest, Ron," said Hermione"Dumbledore was very fond of you
This was stretching the truth to breaking point; as far as Harry knew, Ron and Dumbledore had never been alone together, and direct contact between them had been negligibleHowever, Scrimgeour did not seem to be listeningHe put his hand inside his cloak and drew out a drawstring pouch much larger than the one Hagrid had given HarryFrom it, he removed a scroll of parchment which he unrolled and read aloud
"'The Last Will and Testament of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian white chloe bag Dumbledore