Harry Potter 04 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

will not slow down when something unpleasant lies ahead, and all too soon the Hogwarts Express was slowing down at platform nine and three-quarters. The usual confusion and noise filled the corridors as the students began to disembark. Ron and Hermione struggled out past Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle, carrying their trunks.
    Harry, however, stayed put. ‘Fred – George – wait a moment.’
    The twins turned. Harry pulled open his trunk, and drew out his Triwizard winnings.
    ‘Take it,’ he said, and he thrust the sack into George’s hands.
    ‘What?’ said Fred, looking flabbergasted.
    ‘Take it,’ Harry repeated firmly. ‘I don’t want it.’
    ‘You’re mental,’ said George, trying to push it back at Harry.
    ‘No, I’m not,’ said Harry. ‘You take it, and get inventing. It’s for the joke-shop.’
    ‘He is mental,’ Fred said, in an almost awed voice.
    ‘Listen,’ said Harry firmly. ‘If you don’t take it, I’m throwing it down the drain. I don’t want it and I don’t need it. But I could do with a few laughs. We could all do with a few laughs. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to need them more than usual before long.’
    ‘Harry,’ said George weakly, weighing the money bag in his hands, ‘there’s got to be a thousand Galleons in here.’
    ‘Yeah,’ said Harry, grinning. ‘Think how many Canary Creams that is.’
    The twins stared at him.
    ‘Just don’t tell your mum where you got it … although she might not be so keen for you to join the Ministry any more, come to think of it …’
    ‘Harry,’ Fred began, but Harry pulled out his wand.
    ‘Look,’ he said flatly, ‘take it, or I’ll hex you. I know some good ones now. Just do me one favour, OK? Buy Ron some different dress robes, and say they’re from you.’
    He left the compartment before they could say another word, stepping over Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle, who were still lying on the floor, covered in hex marks.
    Uncle Vernon was waiting beyond the barrier. Mrs Weasley was close by him. She hugged Harry very tightly when she saw him, and whispered in his ear, ‘I think Dumbledore will let you come to us later in the summer. Keep in touch, Harry.’
    ‘See you, Harry,’ said Ron, clapping him on the back.
    ‘Bye, Harry!’ said Hermione, and she did something she had never done before, and kissed him on the cheek.
    ‘Harry – thanks,’ George muttered, while Fred nodded fervently at his side.
    Harry winked at them, turned to Uncle Vernon, and followed him silently from the station. There was no point worrying yet, he told himself, as he got into the back of the Dursleys’ car.
    As Hagrid had said, what would come, would come … and he would have to meet it when it did.

 
     
    Titles available in the Harry Potter series (in reading order):
     
    Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
    Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
    Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
    Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
    Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
    Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
     
     
    Other titles available:
     
    Quidditch Through the Ages
    Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
    The Tales of Beedle the Bard
     
     
    Read on for the first chapter of the next book in the Harry Potter series...



 
    HARRY
POTTER
and the Order of the Phoenix
     

     
J.K. ROWLING

 
    All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher
    This digital edition first published by Pottermore Limited in 2012
    First published in print in Great Britain in 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
    Copyright © J.K. Rowling 2003
    Cover illustrations by Claire Melinsky copyright © J.K. Rowling 2010
    Harry Potter characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Ent.
    The moral right of the author has been asserted
    A CIP catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library
    ISBN 978-1-78110-011-0
    www.pottermore.com

 
    by J.K. Rowling
     
     
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    To Neil, Jessica and David,
    who make my world magical

 
    CONTENTS
     
     
    ONE
    Dudley Demented
     
    TWO
    A Peck of