The Bribe

Kreacher does not return immediately. Harry, Ron, and Hermione get restless at Grimmauld Place, which is being cased by Death Eaters. Adding to their nervousness is the fact that they had not heard anything about what happened to the wedding guests since Mr. Weasley’s Patronus gave its short message.

Luckily, Remus Lupin shows up and, after Harry tests him for being the “real” Remus Lupin, tells the three friends more of the story. Kingsley Shaklebolt helped all of the wedding guests escape after Harry disappeared. The Order of the Phoenix found out that the Death Eaters weren’t sure where Harry went, so they were ordered to case every house the Order had ever used.

Lupin is convinced that the two Death Eaters outside have no idea Harry is in there; however, Lupin is also shocked that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were attacked in a Muggle café. Lupin brings worse news as well: the Daily Prophet newspaper has been infiltrated. The newest paper reveals Harry as a suspect in Dumbledore’s death. Further, the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are now totally against anyone but pure-blooded wizards. “Attendance is now compulsory” for every witch and wizard at Hogwarts. In other words, Muggle-born wizards are no longer allowed in either institution.

Remus Lupin then offers to help the three friends on the mission given to them by Dumbledore, even though he does not really know what the mission is. Lupin almost pleads for the three friends to accept his offer. He confides that Tonks is pregnant, but Lupin is afraid that the child might be a werewolf or be ashamed that his father is a werewolf; therefore, Lupin would rather risk his life helping Harry. Harry is disgusted by Lupin’s disregard of obligation, especially in light of the fact that Harry’s own parents died to save Harry. After a big argument where Harry becomes angry enough to call Lupin a coward, Lupin casts a spell that throws Harry against the wall and then storms out of Grimmauld Place in anger.

After reading another Daily Prophet article that cites Bathilda Bagshot, Harry renews his desire to go immediately to Godric’s Hollow. However, it is at this moment that Kreacher arrives with Mundungus Fletcher, who finally tells Harry that the real Horcrux locket was taken from him while he was trying to sell it. The person who stole the locket was none other than a prominent woman within the Ministry of Magic, the toad-like professor who adored cats and bows and rules and bloody punishments for Hogwarts students: Dolores Umbridge.