In The Shadows² ★ Draco Malfoy

*Xenophilius

Bolstered by the destruction of the locket, they set to debatingthe possible locations of the other Horcruxes, and even though theyhad discussed the matter so often before, Briar felt optimistic, certain that more breakthroughs would succeed the first. Hermione'ssulkiness could not mar her buoyant spirits; The sudden upswing intheir fortunes, they appearance of the mysterious doe, the recovery of Gryffindor's sword, and above all, Ron's return, cheered her up immensely 

Even the quickly approaching full moon didn't scare her much anymore. Ron's return had also brought them the news that apparently using Voldemort's name was a taboo, which allowed Death Eaters to track people who used it. Also, there was a radio programme called 'Potterwatch' who were on Harry's side and reported on the Order and the uprisings against Voldemort

What did now scare Briar was the plan they had made to go see Xenophilius Lovegood, to ask him about that triangular sign dotted everywhere in the Tales of Beedle and the Bard. But they had to do it, so the next morning they apparated away. 

They apparated to the hills near the Burrow, and Ron led them through the overgrown grass, until they caught sight of a most strange-looking house rose, like a great black cylinder with a ghostlymoon hanging behind it in the afternoon sky. And if that wasn't sign enough as to who owned it, the signs outside were:

 THE QUIBBLER, EDITOR: X. LOVEGOOD 

PICK YOUR OWN MISTLETOE 

KEEP OFF THE DIRIGIBLE PLUMS

The gate creaked as they opened it. The zigzagging path leading to the front door was overgrown with a variety of odd plants,including a bush covered in the orange radish like fruit. Two aged crab appletrees, beat with the wind, stripped of leaves but still heavy withberry-sized red fruits and bushy crowns of white-beaded mistletoe,stood sentinel on either side of the front door. A little owl with aslightly flattened, hawklike head peered down at them from one ofthe branches. 

Hermione then rapped three times on the thick black door,which was studded with iron nails and bore a knocker shaped likean eagle.Barely ten seconds passed, then the door was flung open andthere stood Xenophilius Lovegood, barefoot and wearing what appeared to be a stained nightshirt. His long white candy floss hair unkept

"What? What is it? Who are you? What do you want?" hecried in a high-pitched, querulous voice, looking first at Hermione,then at Ron, and then Briar "Briar" he smiled kindly, and then finally at Harry, upon which his mouth fell openin a perfect comical O. 

"Hello, Mr. Lovegood," said Harry, holding out his hand. "I'mHarry, Harry Potter." Xenophilius didn't take Harry's hand, although the eye thatwas not pointing inward at his nose slid straight to the scar onHarry's forehead. "Would it be okay if we came in?" asked Harry. "There'ssomething we'd like to ask you." 

"I . . . I'm not sure that's advisable," whispered Xenophilius. "Rather ashock . . . My word . . . I . . . I'm afraid I don't really think I oughtto— " 

"It won't take long," said Briar

"I— oh, all right then. Come in, quickly. Quickly!" 

They were barely over the threshold when Xenophilius slammedthe door shut behind then. They were standing in the most peculiarkitchen. The room was perfectly circular, sothat it felt like being inside a giant pepper pot. Everything wascurved to fit the walls— the stove, the sink, and the cupboards—and all of it had been painted with flowers, insects, and birds inbright primary colours. In the middle of the floor, a wrought-iron spiral staircase led tothe upper levels. There was a great deal of clattering and banging coming from overhead