Chapter 21: The Death Letter

“You've got to come with me!” said Draco Malfoy.

“What?” asked Harry, looking astonished. “Where?”

Malfoy shook his head and said, fervently, “You'll find out. Just come with me now!”

Harry stared at Malfoy and replied, “Listen: if you won't tell me where we’re going, I won't come with you.”

Malfoy scratched his hair irately then said, quite hastily, “Listen: we don't have much time! I’m not supposed to be here, but you've got to come with me. It’s really important!”

Harry examined Malfoy's carefully. His face seemed to be etched with terror, sweating profusely. After a few moments, Harry gave him a stiff nod and said, “Okay. Just wait a minute. I'll be back in a couple of minutes.”

As he ran back into the house, an awful sight met his eyes. Mrs. Weasley was sobbing uncontrollably on Ron's shoulder, and Ron, too, was looking teary-eyed.

Harry moved forwards and mumbled, “W-What happened?”

No one replied. Instead, Mrs. Weasley continued to sob harder; Ron's lips quivering profusely. Harry saw the letter that Mrs. Weasley must’ve read. He picked it up and read, his hands trembling:

Dear Molly,

It is with great regret that my Senior assistant and your beloved son, Percy Ignatius Weasley, has been killed. It happened in the evening when he received a love letter, allegedly, from his girl friend, Penelope Clearwater. He got excited and opened it without checking it for jinxes, curses, and the like. As it turned out, it contained no love but a poisonous curse.

We contacted Miss Clearwater, but she swore under the influence of Veritaserum that she did not send him a letter. We are investigating on this matter and trying to find the culprit behind this incident. We are equally aggrieved as much as you because we didn't only lose a devoted worker, but an amazing person.

With warm regards, Kingsley Shacklebolt

Harry looked up. He remembered something. Something important.

“Um… Ron, mate…  I have to go. Malfoy's here,” said Harry, directly to Ron.

Ron gaped at him, saying, “W-why?”

The door opened. Malfoy peered inside and said, quite loudly, “Are you coming or not?” 

Harry nodded then turned towards Ron, saying, “Mate, can I borrow your broomstick?”

Ron frowned and replied, “Yeah sure, but why?”

Harry lowered his voice and whispered, “You never know. He might be the challenger.”