‘The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day,’ said the woman's voice.
The door of the telephone box sprang open and Mr. Weasley stepped out of it, followed by Harry, whose mouth had fallen open.
They were standing at one end of a very long and splendid hall with a highly polished, dark wood floor. The peacock blue ceiling was inlaid with gleaming golden symbols that kept moving and changing like some enormous heavenly noticeboard. The wall's on each side were panelled in shiny dark wood and had many gilded fireplaces set into them. Every few seconds a witch or wizard would emerge from one of the left-hand fireplaces with a soft whoosh; on the right-hand side, short queues were forming before each fireplace, waiting to depart.
Halfway down the hall was a fountain. A group of golden statues, larger than life-size, stood in the middle of a circular pool. Tallest of them all was a noble-looking wizard with his wand pointing straight up in the air. Grouped around him were a beautiful witch, a centaur, a goblin and a house-elf. The last three were all looking adoringly up at the witch and wizard. Glittering jets of water were flying from the ends of the two wands, the point of the centaur's arrow, the tip of the goblin's hat, and each of the house-elf's ears, so that the tinkling hiss of falling water was added to the pops and cracks of the Apparators and the clatter of footsteps as hundreds of witches and wizards, most of whom were wearing glum, early-morning looks, strode towards a set of golden gates at the far end of the hall.
‘This way,’ said Mr. Weasley.
They joined the throng, wending their way between the Ministry workers, some of whom were carrying tottering piles of parchment, others battered briefcases, still others were reading the Daily Prophet while they walked. As they passed the fountain Harry saw silver Sickles and bronze Knuts glinting up at him from the bottom of the pool. A small smudged sign beside it read:
All proceeds from the fountain of magical brethren will be given to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries
If I'm not expelled from Hogwarts, I'll put in ten Galleons, Harry found himself thinking desperately.
‘Over here, Harry,’ said Mr. Weasley, and they stepped out of the stream of Ministry employees heading for the golden gates. Seated at a desk to the left, beneath a sign saying SECURITY, a badly-shaven wizard in peacock-blue robes looked up as they approached and put down his Daily Prophet.
‘I'm escorting a visitor,’ said Mr. Weasley, gesturing towards Harry.
‘Step over here,’ said the wizard in a bored voice.
Harry walked closer to him and the wizard held up a long golden rod, thin and flexible as a car aerial, and passed it up and down Harry's front and back.
‘Wand,’ grunted the security wizard at Harry, putting down the golden instrument and holding out his hand.
Harry produced his wand. The wizard dropped it on to a strange brass instrument, which looked something like a set of scales with only one dish. It began to vibrate. A narrow strip of parchment came speeding out of a slit in the base. The wizard tore this off and read the writing on it.
‘Eleven inches, phoenix-feather core, been in use four years. That correct?’
‘Yes,’ said Harry nervously.
‘I keep this,’ said the wizard, impaling the slip of parchment on a small brass spike. ‘You get this back,’ he added, thrusting the wand at Harry.
‘Thank you.’
‘Hang on....’ said the wizard slowly.
Monday, November 15, 2010
‘Simply fabulous,’ he whispered, indicating the automatic ticket machines.
‘Simply fabulous,’ he whispered, indicating the automatic ticket machines. ‘Wonderfully ingenious.’
‘They're out of order,’ said Harry, pointing at the sign.
‘Yes, but even so...’ said Mr. Weasley, beaming at them fondly.
They bought their tickets instead from a sleepy-looking guard (Harry handled the transaction, as Mr. Weasley was not very good with Muggle money) and five minutes later they were boarding an underground train that rattled them off towards the centre of London. Mr. Weasley kept anxiously checking and re-checking the Underground Map above the windows.
‘Four stops, Harry ... three stops left now ... two stops to go, Harry...’
They got off at a station in the very heart of London, and were swept from the train in a tide of besuited men and women carrying briefcases. Up the escalator they went, through the ticket barrier (Mr. Weasley delighted with the way the stile swallowed his ticket), and emerged on to a broad street lined with imposing-looking buildings and already full of traffic.
‘Where are we?’ said Mr. Weasley blankly, and for one heart-stopping moment Harry thought they had got off at the wrong station despite Mr. Weasley's continual references to the map; but a second later he said, ‘Ah yes ... this way, Harry,’ and led him down a side road.
‘Sorry,’ he said, ‘but I never come by train and it all looks rather different from a Muggle perspective. As a matter of fact, I've never even used the visitors’ entrance before.’
The further they walked, the smaller and less imposing the buildings became, until finally they reached a street that contained several rather shabby-looking offices, a pub and an overflowing skip. Harry had expected a rather more impressive location for the Ministry of Magic.
‘Here we are,’ said Mr. Weasley brightly, pointing at an old red telephone box, which was missing several panes of glass and stood before a heavily graffitied wall. ‘After you, Harry.’
He opened the telephone-box door.
Harry stepped inside, wondering what on earth this was about. Mr. Weasley folded himself in beside Harry and closed the door. It was a tight fit; Harry was jammed against the telephone apparatus, which was hanging crookedly from the wall as though a vandal had tried to rip it off. Mr. Weasley reached past Harry for the receiver.
‘Mr. Weasley, I think this might be out of order, too,’ Harry said.
‘No, no, I'm sure its fine,’ said Mr. Weasley, holding the receiver above his head and peering at the dial. ‘Let's see ... six...’ he dialled the number, ‘two ... four ... and another four ... and another two...’
As the dial whirred smoothly back into place, a cool female voice sounded inside the telephone box, not from the receiver in Mr. Weasley's hand, but as loudly and plainly as though an invisible woman were standing right beside them.
‘Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business.’
‘Er...’ said Mr. Weasley, clearly uncertain whether or not he should talk into the receiver. He compromised by holding the mouthpiece to his ear, ‘Arthur Weasley, Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office, here to escort Harry Potter, who has been asked to attend a disciplinary hearing....’
‘Thank you,’ said the cool female voice. ‘Visitor, please take the badge and attach it to the front of your robes.’
There was a click and a rattle, and Harry saw something slide out of the metal chute where returned coins usually appeared. He picked it up: it was a square silver badge with Harry Potter, Disciplinary Hearing on it. He pinned it to the front of his T-shirt as the female voice spoke again.
‘Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium ’
The floor of the telephone box shuddered. They were sinking slowly into the ground. Harry watched apprehensively as the pavement seemed to rise up past the glass windows of the telephone box until darkness closed over their heads. Then he could see nothing at all; he could hear only a dull grinding noise as the telephone box made its way down through the earth. After about a minute, though it felt much longer to Harry, a chink of golden light illuminated his feet and, widening, rose up his body, until it hit him in the face and he had to blink to stop his eyes watering.
‘They're out of order,’ said Harry, pointing at the sign.
‘Yes, but even so...’ said Mr. Weasley, beaming at them fondly.
They bought their tickets instead from a sleepy-looking guard (Harry handled the transaction, as Mr. Weasley was not very good with Muggle money) and five minutes later they were boarding an underground train that rattled them off towards the centre of London. Mr. Weasley kept anxiously checking and re-checking the Underground Map above the windows.
‘Four stops, Harry ... three stops left now ... two stops to go, Harry...’
They got off at a station in the very heart of London, and were swept from the train in a tide of besuited men and women carrying briefcases. Up the escalator they went, through the ticket barrier (Mr. Weasley delighted with the way the stile swallowed his ticket), and emerged on to a broad street lined with imposing-looking buildings and already full of traffic.
‘Where are we?’ said Mr. Weasley blankly, and for one heart-stopping moment Harry thought they had got off at the wrong station despite Mr. Weasley's continual references to the map; but a second later he said, ‘Ah yes ... this way, Harry,’ and led him down a side road.
‘Sorry,’ he said, ‘but I never come by train and it all looks rather different from a Muggle perspective. As a matter of fact, I've never even used the visitors’ entrance before.’
The further they walked, the smaller and less imposing the buildings became, until finally they reached a street that contained several rather shabby-looking offices, a pub and an overflowing skip. Harry had expected a rather more impressive location for the Ministry of Magic.
‘Here we are,’ said Mr. Weasley brightly, pointing at an old red telephone box, which was missing several panes of glass and stood before a heavily graffitied wall. ‘After you, Harry.’
He opened the telephone-box door.
Harry stepped inside, wondering what on earth this was about. Mr. Weasley folded himself in beside Harry and closed the door. It was a tight fit; Harry was jammed against the telephone apparatus, which was hanging crookedly from the wall as though a vandal had tried to rip it off. Mr. Weasley reached past Harry for the receiver.
‘Mr. Weasley, I think this might be out of order, too,’ Harry said.
‘No, no, I'm sure its fine,’ said Mr. Weasley, holding the receiver above his head and peering at the dial. ‘Let's see ... six...’ he dialled the number, ‘two ... four ... and another four ... and another two...’
As the dial whirred smoothly back into place, a cool female voice sounded inside the telephone box, not from the receiver in Mr. Weasley's hand, but as loudly and plainly as though an invisible woman were standing right beside them.
‘Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business.’
‘Er...’ said Mr. Weasley, clearly uncertain whether or not he should talk into the receiver. He compromised by holding the mouthpiece to his ear, ‘Arthur Weasley, Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office, here to escort Harry Potter, who has been asked to attend a disciplinary hearing....’
‘Thank you,’ said the cool female voice. ‘Visitor, please take the badge and attach it to the front of your robes.’
There was a click and a rattle, and Harry saw something slide out of the metal chute where returned coins usually appeared. He picked it up: it was a square silver badge with Harry Potter, Disciplinary Hearing on it. He pinned it to the front of his T-shirt as the female voice spoke again.
‘Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium ’
The floor of the telephone box shuddered. They were sinking slowly into the ground. Harry watched apprehensively as the pavement seemed to rise up past the glass windows of the telephone box until darkness closed over their heads. Then he could see nothing at all; he could hear only a dull grinding noise as the telephone box made its way down through the earth. After about a minute, though it felt much longer to Harry, a chink of golden light illuminated his feet and, widening, rose up his body, until it hit him in the face and he had to blink to stop his eyes watering.
Harry shrugged.
Harry shrugged.
‘It'll all be over soon,’ Mr. Weasley said bracingly. ‘In a few hours’ time you'll be cleared.’
Harry said nothing.
‘The hearing's on my floor, in Amelia Bones's office. She's Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and she's the one who'll be questioning you.’
‘Amelia Bones is OK, Harry,’ said Tonks earnestly. ‘She's fair, she'll hear you out.’
Harry nodded, still unable to think of anything to say.
‘Don't lose your temper,’ said Sirius abruptly. ‘Be polite and stick to the facts.’
Harry nodded again.
‘The law's on your side,’ said Lupin quietly. ‘Even underage wizards are allowed to use magic in life-threatening situations.’
Something very cold trickled down the back of Harry's neck; for a moment he thought someone was putting a Disillusionment Charm on him, then he realised that Mrs. Weasley was attacking his hair with a wet comb. She pressed hard on the top of his head.
‘Doesn't it ever lie flat?’ she said desperately.
Harry shook his head.
‘Mr. Weasley checked his watch and looked up at Harry. I think we'll go now,’ he said. ‘We're a bit early, but I think you'll be better off at the Ministry than hanging around here.’
‘OK,’ said Harry automatically, dropping his toast and getting to his feet.
‘You'll be all right, Harry,’ said Tonks, patting him on the arm.
‘Good luck,’ said Lupin. ‘I'm sure it will be fine.’
‘And if it's not,’ said Sirius grimly, ‘I'll see to Amelia Bones for you....’
Harry smiled weakly. Mrs. Weasley hugged him.
‘We've all got our fingers crossed,’ she said.
‘Right,’ said Harry. ‘Well ... see you later then.’
He followed Mr. Weasley upstairs and along the hall. He could hear Sirius's mother grunting in her sleep behind her curtains. Mr. Weasley unbolted the door and they stepped out into the cold, grey dawn.
‘You don't normally walk to work, do you?’ Harry asked him, as they set off briskly around the square.
‘No, I usually Apparate,’ said Mr. Weasley, ‘but obviously you can't, and I think it's best we arrive in a thoroughly non-magical fashion ... makes a better impression, given what you're being disciplined for....’
Mr. Weasley kept his hand inside his jacket as they walked. Harry knew it was clenched around his wand. The run-down streets were almost deserted, but when they arrived at the miserable little underground station they found it already lull of early-morning commuters. As ever when he found himself in close proximity to Muggles going about their daily business, Mr. Weasley was hard put to contain his enthusiasm.
‘It'll all be over soon,’ Mr. Weasley said bracingly. ‘In a few hours’ time you'll be cleared.’
Harry said nothing.
‘The hearing's on my floor, in Amelia Bones's office. She's Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and she's the one who'll be questioning you.’
‘Amelia Bones is OK, Harry,’ said Tonks earnestly. ‘She's fair, she'll hear you out.’
Harry nodded, still unable to think of anything to say.
‘Don't lose your temper,’ said Sirius abruptly. ‘Be polite and stick to the facts.’
Harry nodded again.
‘The law's on your side,’ said Lupin quietly. ‘Even underage wizards are allowed to use magic in life-threatening situations.’
Something very cold trickled down the back of Harry's neck; for a moment he thought someone was putting a Disillusionment Charm on him, then he realised that Mrs. Weasley was attacking his hair with a wet comb. She pressed hard on the top of his head.
‘Doesn't it ever lie flat?’ she said desperately.
Harry shook his head.
‘Mr. Weasley checked his watch and looked up at Harry. I think we'll go now,’ he said. ‘We're a bit early, but I think you'll be better off at the Ministry than hanging around here.’
‘OK,’ said Harry automatically, dropping his toast and getting to his feet.
‘You'll be all right, Harry,’ said Tonks, patting him on the arm.
‘Good luck,’ said Lupin. ‘I'm sure it will be fine.’
‘And if it's not,’ said Sirius grimly, ‘I'll see to Amelia Bones for you....’
Harry smiled weakly. Mrs. Weasley hugged him.
‘We've all got our fingers crossed,’ she said.
‘Right,’ said Harry. ‘Well ... see you later then.’
He followed Mr. Weasley upstairs and along the hall. He could hear Sirius's mother grunting in her sleep behind her curtains. Mr. Weasley unbolted the door and they stepped out into the cold, grey dawn.
‘You don't normally walk to work, do you?’ Harry asked him, as they set off briskly around the square.
‘No, I usually Apparate,’ said Mr. Weasley, ‘but obviously you can't, and I think it's best we arrive in a thoroughly non-magical fashion ... makes a better impression, given what you're being disciplined for....’
Mr. Weasley kept his hand inside his jacket as they walked. Harry knew it was clenched around his wand. The run-down streets were almost deserted, but when they arrived at the miserable little underground station they found it already lull of early-morning commuters. As ever when he found himself in close proximity to Muggles going about their daily business, Mr. Weasley was hard put to contain his enthusiasm.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Hat became motionless once more
; applause broke out, though it was punctured, for the first time in Harry's memory, with muttering and whispers. All across the Great Hall students were exchanging remarks with their
neighbours, and Harry, clapping along with everyone else, knew exactly what they were talking about.
‘Branched out a bit this year, hasn't it?’ said Ron, his eyebrows raised.
‘Too right it has,’ said Harry.
The Sorting Hat usually confined itself to describing the different qualities looked for by each of the four Hogwarts houses and its own role in Sorting them. Harry could not remember it ever trying to give the school advice
before.
‘I wonder if it's ever given warnings before?’ said Hermione, sounding slightly anxious.
‘Yes, indeed,’ said Nearly Headless Nick knowledgeably, leaning across Neville towards her (Neville winced; it was very uncomfortable to have a ghost lean through you). ‘The Hat feels itself honour-bound to give the school
due warning whenever it feels—’
But Professor McGonagall, who was waiting to read out the list of first-years’ names, was giving the whispering students the sort of look that scorches. Nearly Headless Nick placed a see-through finger to his lips and sat primly
upright again as the muttering came to an abrupt end. With a last frowning look that swept the lour house tables, Professor McGonagall lowered her eyes to her long piece of parchment and called out the first name.
‘Abercrombie, Euan.’
The terrified-looking boy Harry had noticed earlier stumbled forwards and put the Hat on his head; it was only prevented from falling right down to his shoulders by his very prominent ears. The Hat considered for a moment,
then the rip near the brim opened again and shouted:
‘Gryffindor!’
Harry clapped loudly with the rest of Gryffindor house as Euan Abercrombie staggered to their table and sat down, looking as though he would like very much to sink through the floor and never be looked at again.
Slowly, the long line of first-years thinned. In the pauses between the names and the Sorting Hat's decisions, Harry could hear Ron's stomach rumbling loudly. Finally, ‘Zeller, Rose’ was Sorted into Hufflepuff, and Professor
McGonagall picked up the Hat and stool and marched them away as Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet.
Whatever his recent bitter feelings had been towards his Headmaster, Harry was somehow soothed to see Dumbledore standing before them all. Between the absence of Hagrid and the presence of those dragonish horses,
he had felt that his return to Hogwarts, so long anticipated, was full of unexpected surprises, like jarring notes in a familiar song. But this, at least, was how it was supposed to be: their Headmaster rising to greet them all
before the start-of-term feast.
‘To our newcomers,’ said Dumbledore in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, ‘welcome! To our old hands—welcome back! There is a time for speech-making, but this is not it. Tuck in!’
There was an appreciative laugh and an outbreak of applause as Dumbledore sat down neatly and threw his long beard over his shoulder so as to keep it out of the way of his plate—for food had appeared out of nowhere, so
that the five long tables were groaning under joints and pies and dishes of vegetables, bread and sauces and flagons of pumpkin juice.
‘Excellent,’ said Ron, with a kind of groan of longing, and he seized the nearest plate of chops and began piling them on to his plate, watched wistfully by Nearly Headless Nick.
‘What were you saying before the Sorting?’ Hermione asked the ghost. ‘About the Hat giving warnings?’
‘Oh, yes,’ said Nick, who seemed glad of a reason to turn away from Ron, who was now eating roast potatoes with almost indecent enthusiasm. ‘Yes, I have heard the Hat give several warnings before, always at times when it
detects periods of great danger for the school. And always, of course, its advice is the same: stand together, be strong from within.’
‘Ow kunnit nofe skusin danger ifzat?’ said Ron.
His mouth was so full Harry thought it was quite an achievement for him to make any noise at all.
‘I beg your pardon?’ said Nearly Headless Nick politely, while Hermione looked revolted. Ron gave an enormous swallow and said, ‘How can it know if the school's in danger if it's a Hat?’
‘I have no idea,’ said Nearly Headless Nick. ‘Of course, it lives in Dumbledore's office, so I daresay it picks things up there.’
‘And it wants all the houses to be friends?’ said Harry, looking over at the Slytherin table, where Draco Malfoy was holding court. ‘Fat chance.’
‘Well, now, you shouldn't take that attitude,’ said Nick reprovingly. ‘Peaceful co-operation, that's the key. We ghosts, though we belong to separate houses, maintain links of friendship. In spite of the competitiveness between
Gryffindor and Slytherin, I would never dream of seeking an argument with the Bloody Baron.’
‘Only because you're terrified of him,’ said Ron.
Nearly Headless Nick looked highly affronted.
‘Terrified? I hope I, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, have never been guilty of cowardice in my life! The noble blood that runs in my veins—’
‘What blood?’ asked Ron. ‘Surely you haven't still got—?’
‘It's a figure of speech!’ said Nearly Headless Nick, now so annoyed his head was trembling ominously on his partially severed neck. ‘I assume I am still allowed to enjoy the use of whichever words I like, even if the pleasures
of eating and drinking are denied me! But I am quite used to students poking fun at my death, I assure you!’
‘Nick, he wasn't really laughing at you!’ said Hermione, throwing a furious look at Ron.
Unfortunately, Ron's mouth was packed to exploding point again and all he could manage was ‘Node iddum eentup sechew,’ which Nick did not seem to think constituted an adequate apology. Rising into the air, he
straightened his feathered hat and swept away from them to the other end of the table, coming to rest between the Creevey brothers, Colin and Dennis.
‘Well done, Ron,’ snapped Hermione.
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neighbours, and Harry, clapping along with everyone else, knew exactly what they were talking about.
‘Branched out a bit this year, hasn't it?’ said Ron, his eyebrows raised.
‘Too right it has,’ said Harry.
The Sorting Hat usually confined itself to describing the different qualities looked for by each of the four Hogwarts houses and its own role in Sorting them. Harry could not remember it ever trying to give the school advice
before.
‘I wonder if it's ever given warnings before?’ said Hermione, sounding slightly anxious.
‘Yes, indeed,’ said Nearly Headless Nick knowledgeably, leaning across Neville towards her (Neville winced; it was very uncomfortable to have a ghost lean through you). ‘The Hat feels itself honour-bound to give the school
due warning whenever it feels—’
But Professor McGonagall, who was waiting to read out the list of first-years’ names, was giving the whispering students the sort of look that scorches. Nearly Headless Nick placed a see-through finger to his lips and sat primly
upright again as the muttering came to an abrupt end. With a last frowning look that swept the lour house tables, Professor McGonagall lowered her eyes to her long piece of parchment and called out the first name.
‘Abercrombie, Euan.’
The terrified-looking boy Harry had noticed earlier stumbled forwards and put the Hat on his head; it was only prevented from falling right down to his shoulders by his very prominent ears. The Hat considered for a moment,
then the rip near the brim opened again and shouted:
‘Gryffindor!’
Harry clapped loudly with the rest of Gryffindor house as Euan Abercrombie staggered to their table and sat down, looking as though he would like very much to sink through the floor and never be looked at again.
Slowly, the long line of first-years thinned. In the pauses between the names and the Sorting Hat's decisions, Harry could hear Ron's stomach rumbling loudly. Finally, ‘Zeller, Rose’ was Sorted into Hufflepuff, and Professor
McGonagall picked up the Hat and stool and marched them away as Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet.
Whatever his recent bitter feelings had been towards his Headmaster, Harry was somehow soothed to see Dumbledore standing before them all. Between the absence of Hagrid and the presence of those dragonish horses,
he had felt that his return to Hogwarts, so long anticipated, was full of unexpected surprises, like jarring notes in a familiar song. But this, at least, was how it was supposed to be: their Headmaster rising to greet them all
before the start-of-term feast.
‘To our newcomers,’ said Dumbledore in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, ‘welcome! To our old hands—welcome back! There is a time for speech-making, but this is not it. Tuck in!’
There was an appreciative laugh and an outbreak of applause as Dumbledore sat down neatly and threw his long beard over his shoulder so as to keep it out of the way of his plate—for food had appeared out of nowhere, so
that the five long tables were groaning under joints and pies and dishes of vegetables, bread and sauces and flagons of pumpkin juice.
‘Excellent,’ said Ron, with a kind of groan of longing, and he seized the nearest plate of chops and began piling them on to his plate, watched wistfully by Nearly Headless Nick.
‘What were you saying before the Sorting?’ Hermione asked the ghost. ‘About the Hat giving warnings?’
‘Oh, yes,’ said Nick, who seemed glad of a reason to turn away from Ron, who was now eating roast potatoes with almost indecent enthusiasm. ‘Yes, I have heard the Hat give several warnings before, always at times when it
detects periods of great danger for the school. And always, of course, its advice is the same: stand together, be strong from within.’
‘Ow kunnit nofe skusin danger ifzat?’ said Ron.
His mouth was so full Harry thought it was quite an achievement for him to make any noise at all.
‘I beg your pardon?’ said Nearly Headless Nick politely, while Hermione looked revolted. Ron gave an enormous swallow and said, ‘How can it know if the school's in danger if it's a Hat?’
‘I have no idea,’ said Nearly Headless Nick. ‘Of course, it lives in Dumbledore's office, so I daresay it picks things up there.’
‘And it wants all the houses to be friends?’ said Harry, looking over at the Slytherin table, where Draco Malfoy was holding court. ‘Fat chance.’
‘Well, now, you shouldn't take that attitude,’ said Nick reprovingly. ‘Peaceful co-operation, that's the key. We ghosts, though we belong to separate houses, maintain links of friendship. In spite of the competitiveness between
Gryffindor and Slytherin, I would never dream of seeking an argument with the Bloody Baron.’
‘Only because you're terrified of him,’ said Ron.
Nearly Headless Nick looked highly affronted.
‘Terrified? I hope I, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, have never been guilty of cowardice in my life! The noble blood that runs in my veins—’
‘What blood?’ asked Ron. ‘Surely you haven't still got—?’
‘It's a figure of speech!’ said Nearly Headless Nick, now so annoyed his head was trembling ominously on his partially severed neck. ‘I assume I am still allowed to enjoy the use of whichever words I like, even if the pleasures
of eating and drinking are denied me! But I am quite used to students poking fun at my death, I assure you!’
‘Nick, he wasn't really laughing at you!’ said Hermione, throwing a furious look at Ron.
Unfortunately, Ron's mouth was packed to exploding point again and all he could manage was ‘Node iddum eentup sechew,’ which Nick did not seem to think constituted an adequate apology. Rising into the air, he
straightened his feathered hat and swept away from them to the other end of the table, coming to rest between the Creevey brothers, Colin and Dennis.
‘Well done, Ron,’ snapped Hermione.
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010
History: India and Pakistan after 60 Years of Independence
Author：佚名 Source：none Hits：123 UpdateTime：2008-10-19 1:36:05
India and Pakistan both celebrated their 60th year of independence from the British Raj in August 2008. The progress of these two nations over this period of history has been very different.
Though the relinquishing of the Indian jewel in the empire`s crown was part of the ongoing British realpolitik in granting independence when subject countries clamored for it, the route for the peoples of India was to be painful and bloody. The main problem lay in tensions and conflicts between the two very different main religions of the subcontinent-the majority Hindus and the Muslims. The applied solution was to divide India into two nations but three pieces-a divided Pakistan on the eastern and western flanks of India.
A HISTORY OF CONFLICT
Mutual suspicion and loathing often flared into violence in the months leading up to independence: it is estimated that more than one million people were killed in sectarian riots; while millions more were displaced and untold numbers suffered rape and other atrocities. Once the borders had been settled, over seven million people migrated in each direction-Indian Muslims to Pakistan and Pakistani Hindus to India. More violence and death occurred as these groups passed one another-estimates of those killed range from 200,000 to one million.
The conflicts continued after the two states were established and, in the first quarter century of independence, three wars were fought between the two nations. In one of them, India supported East Pakistan in its secession to become Bangladesh in 1971. In addition to wars, there have been numerous stand-offs between the two nations, often about disputed borders. More hopefully, on the 60th anniversary, August 14, around half-a-million people from both countries marched for peace on the Punjab border (though India celebrates independence a day later than Pakistan, on the 15th day of the month).
Yet the differences between India and Pakistan are growing. India is the majority nation with a predominantly Hindu population of more than 1.1 billion, while Pakistan`s population is 160 million.
INDIA OUTSTRIPPING HER NEIGHBORS
Pakistan's present preoccupation is ideological rather than economic, as her military government, headed by General Pervez Musharraf, battles extremism. Pakistan's president is fighting for the hearts of his people, urging resistance and opposition to Taliban and al-Qaeda presence along the northwestern border with Afghanistan.
Financially and technologically, India is outstripping its neighbors to become one of the emerging economic giants of the 21st century. Politically, India has had fair elections for decades while Pakistan is under military rule. However, India is still a land of great contrasts, with over 800 million of her population still chronically poor and a third of her people illiterate (compared to China`s 5 percent). Poverty in Pakistan is even more endemic than in India, with Pakistan ranked as one of the 10 most backward countries in the world, and getting poorer. Industry and agriculture are inefficient and more than 60 percent of the nation`s revenues went toward debt repayment in 2000 (United Nations Development Programme, 2003 report).
Thus, the two nations are likely to become even further apart in terms of development and economic opportunity. While India`s society and culture is still a long way from experiencing the economic transformation that the comparative few are enjoying, in Pakistan there is no hope in sight of even aspiring to such transformation.
India and Pakistan both celebrated their 60th year of independence from the British Raj in August 2008. The progress of these two nations over this period of history has been very different.
Though the relinquishing of the Indian jewel in the empire`s crown was part of the ongoing British realpolitik in granting independence when subject countries clamored for it, the route for the peoples of India was to be painful and bloody. The main problem lay in tensions and conflicts between the two very different main religions of the subcontinent-the majority Hindus and the Muslims. The applied solution was to divide India into two nations but three pieces-a divided Pakistan on the eastern and western flanks of India.
A HISTORY OF CONFLICT
Mutual suspicion and loathing often flared into violence in the months leading up to independence: it is estimated that more than one million people were killed in sectarian riots; while millions more were displaced and untold numbers suffered rape and other atrocities. Once the borders had been settled, over seven million people migrated in each direction-Indian Muslims to Pakistan and Pakistani Hindus to India. More violence and death occurred as these groups passed one another-estimates of those killed range from 200,000 to one million.
The conflicts continued after the two states were established and, in the first quarter century of independence, three wars were fought between the two nations. In one of them, India supported East Pakistan in its secession to become Bangladesh in 1971. In addition to wars, there have been numerous stand-offs between the two nations, often about disputed borders. More hopefully, on the 60th anniversary, August 14, around half-a-million people from both countries marched for peace on the Punjab border (though India celebrates independence a day later than Pakistan, on the 15th day of the month).
Yet the differences between India and Pakistan are growing. India is the majority nation with a predominantly Hindu population of more than 1.1 billion, while Pakistan`s population is 160 million.
INDIA OUTSTRIPPING HER NEIGHBORS
Pakistan's present preoccupation is ideological rather than economic, as her military government, headed by General Pervez Musharraf, battles extremism. Pakistan's president is fighting for the hearts of his people, urging resistance and opposition to Taliban and al-Qaeda presence along the northwestern border with Afghanistan.
Financially and technologically, India is outstripping its neighbors to become one of the emerging economic giants of the 21st century. Politically, India has had fair elections for decades while Pakistan is under military rule. However, India is still a land of great contrasts, with over 800 million of her population still chronically poor and a third of her people illiterate (compared to China`s 5 percent). Poverty in Pakistan is even more endemic than in India, with Pakistan ranked as one of the 10 most backward countries in the world, and getting poorer. Industry and agriculture are inefficient and more than 60 percent of the nation`s revenues went toward debt repayment in 2000 (United Nations Development Programme, 2003 report).
Thus, the two nations are likely to become even further apart in terms of development and economic opportunity. While India`s society and culture is still a long way from experiencing the economic transformation that the comparative few are enjoying, in Pakistan there is no hope in sight of even aspiring to such transformation.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Why You Should Use A Compost Bin?
Author：佚名 Source：none Hits：113 UpdateTime：2008-10-19 1:08:23
Whether you are a gardener or not, you could really benefit from using a compost bin. What are compost bins and why are they so great? Well, compost bins allow things like leaves, kitchen scraps and grass cuttings to break
down quickly.
Using compost bins to create a healthy garden:
Compost bins are great for making your own natural, nutrient-filled fertilizer. You could be the envy of every gardener around, if you use compost bins to your advantage. You'll find that your vegetables and flowers look much
healthier that way.
Compost bins versus compost piles:
Of course, some people just throw compost in a pile in the yard. There are a lot of problems with that though. First of all, compost piles just don't look as good as compost bins.
Also, compost bins tend to hold the compost together better, so it heats faster and breaks down quicker. That means, using compost bins, you can make better compost in less time. That means you can have a healthier
garden faster and maintain it better by using compost bins, rather than compost piles.
Another problem with compost piles is that they tend to attract animals and unwanted insects, such as bees, depending no what you put in the. Keeping your compost contained in compost bins will limit any trouble with pests.
Save money with compost bins:
There are a couple of ways that compost bins can save you money. First, obviously, if you use natural compost, you won't have to buy expensive fertilizer. You'd be surprised at how quickly compost bins can pay for
themselves that way.
Second, man people have to pay by the bag to have their trash collected. If you throw all of your kitchen scraps in your compost bin, you'll cut back on costs that way, too.
Compost bins and the environment:
From an environmental standpoint, compost bins are great. Commercial fertilizers often contain chemicals. Organic fertilizer from compost bins is safer. Besides, if you aren't buying it commercially, you also won't be throwing
away extra packaging materials. So, over time, you will be doing your part to save the environment, by using compost bins.
Choosing compost bins:
Of course, once you've decided to get one, the next question is which of the compost bins would be best for you. To figure that out, first think about how much compost you are probably throwing in the trash. Imagine all of
that going in compost bins, instead. That will give you an idea of the size you need.
Of course, there are lots of compost bins that you could buy. They come in all sorts of sizes and shapes. So, you can find compost bins that will look good in your yard and still serve their purpose too.
As you can see, compost bins are safe, efficient and can save you a lot of time and money. They can also give you the sort of garden that you've always dreamed of. So, stop using a compost pile or, worse yet, throwing away
things you could compost and get yourself one of the many types of compost bins out there!
uggs
chanel 2.55
burberry outlet
coach outlet
Whether you are a gardener or not, you could really benefit from using a compost bin. What are compost bins and why are they so great? Well, compost bins allow things like leaves, kitchen scraps and grass cuttings to break
down quickly.
Using compost bins to create a healthy garden:
Compost bins are great for making your own natural, nutrient-filled fertilizer. You could be the envy of every gardener around, if you use compost bins to your advantage. You'll find that your vegetables and flowers look much
healthier that way.
Compost bins versus compost piles:
Of course, some people just throw compost in a pile in the yard. There are a lot of problems with that though. First of all, compost piles just don't look as good as compost bins.
Also, compost bins tend to hold the compost together better, so it heats faster and breaks down quicker. That means, using compost bins, you can make better compost in less time. That means you can have a healthier
garden faster and maintain it better by using compost bins, rather than compost piles.
Another problem with compost piles is that they tend to attract animals and unwanted insects, such as bees, depending no what you put in the. Keeping your compost contained in compost bins will limit any trouble with pests.
Save money with compost bins:
There are a couple of ways that compost bins can save you money. First, obviously, if you use natural compost, you won't have to buy expensive fertilizer. You'd be surprised at how quickly compost bins can pay for
themselves that way.
Second, man people have to pay by the bag to have their trash collected. If you throw all of your kitchen scraps in your compost bin, you'll cut back on costs that way, too.
Compost bins and the environment:
From an environmental standpoint, compost bins are great. Commercial fertilizers often contain chemicals. Organic fertilizer from compost bins is safer. Besides, if you aren't buying it commercially, you also won't be throwing
away extra packaging materials. So, over time, you will be doing your part to save the environment, by using compost bins.
Choosing compost bins:
Of course, once you've decided to get one, the next question is which of the compost bins would be best for you. To figure that out, first think about how much compost you are probably throwing in the trash. Imagine all of
that going in compost bins, instead. That will give you an idea of the size you need.
Of course, there are lots of compost bins that you could buy. They come in all sorts of sizes and shapes. So, you can find compost bins that will look good in your yard and still serve their purpose too.
As you can see, compost bins are safe, efficient and can save you a lot of time and money. They can also give you the sort of garden that you've always dreamed of. So, stop using a compost pile or, worse yet, throwing away
things you could compost and get yourself one of the many types of compost bins out there!
uggs
chanel 2.55
burberry outlet
coach outlet
Monday, November 8, 2010
Weslo Cadence 78s Treadmill Exclusive Review
Author：佚名 Source：none Hits：44 UpdateTime：2008-10-19 0:41:22
The Weslo Cadence 78s Treadmill is a lower affordable option for people wanting a quality treadmill. The Weslo company has been making treadmills for years and have become a well known brand that consumers have come to trust. The Cadence 78s is one just model they offer.
The Cadence 78s model goes from 0 to 10 miles per hour in .01 mph increments. Just push the up or down arrows for the speed on the console to adjust the speed. Your speed will be displayed on the LCD monitor.
The incline on Cadence 78s model is also adjustable. You can adjust this model from 1.5 to a 10 percent incline. Beginners as well as the more athletic will all be able to set this treadmill to their personnel level.
This model features a large LCD display that shows you current information. You can scroll through the options to see how many calories you have burned, how far you have traveled, your speed, and the amount of time you have spent working out. When you see the amount of calories you have burned increasing, it will make you want to work that much harder.
This Cadence 78s model has a 2 horsepower motor. It's assembled size is 61" x 29" x 52". The Cadence 78s can hold a maximum of 250 pounds, which is better than some of the other models in this price range. This model also has the "Easy Pulse" heart rate monitor. A water bottle holder is built into this model, however you will have to purchase a bottle separately.
The factory warranty is comparable to the more expensive brands. The Weslo company offers a 1 year motor warranty and 90 days on parts and labor. This is included in the price, which makes this treadmill a very good deal.
The Cadence 78s is a space saver model. Those of you who don't have the space for a large piece of exercise equipment will appreciate that this model folds up for easy storage. Of course you can leave it out permanently if you wish.
The Weslo Cadence 78s treadmill offers many basic features at an affordable price. Those of you who want a good treadmill but can't afford to spend a lot should consider this model. With the Weslo warranty you know you are still getting a company that stands behind their product.
The Weslo Cadence 78s Treadmill is a lower affordable option for people wanting a quality treadmill. The Weslo company has been making treadmills for years and have become a well known brand that consumers have come to trust. The Cadence 78s is one just model they offer.
The Cadence 78s model goes from 0 to 10 miles per hour in .01 mph increments. Just push the up or down arrows for the speed on the console to adjust the speed. Your speed will be displayed on the LCD monitor.
The incline on Cadence 78s model is also adjustable. You can adjust this model from 1.5 to a 10 percent incline. Beginners as well as the more athletic will all be able to set this treadmill to their personnel level.
This model features a large LCD display that shows you current information. You can scroll through the options to see how many calories you have burned, how far you have traveled, your speed, and the amount of time you have spent working out. When you see the amount of calories you have burned increasing, it will make you want to work that much harder.
This Cadence 78s model has a 2 horsepower motor. It's assembled size is 61" x 29" x 52". The Cadence 78s can hold a maximum of 250 pounds, which is better than some of the other models in this price range. This model also has the "Easy Pulse" heart rate monitor. A water bottle holder is built into this model, however you will have to purchase a bottle separately.
The factory warranty is comparable to the more expensive brands. The Weslo company offers a 1 year motor warranty and 90 days on parts and labor. This is included in the price, which makes this treadmill a very good deal.
The Cadence 78s is a space saver model. Those of you who don't have the space for a large piece of exercise equipment will appreciate that this model folds up for easy storage. Of course you can leave it out permanently if you wish.
The Weslo Cadence 78s treadmill offers many basic features at an affordable price. Those of you who want a good treadmill but can't afford to spend a lot should consider this model. With the Weslo warranty you know you are still getting a company that stands behind their product.
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