"What is so important about this memory?" Hermione asked as she looked around. Harry and she had agreed that for the most part, Hermione would ask the questions since she'd never seen the memory. They were concerned that Harry would say something that might indicate that what he was seeing wasn't new to him.
"As I said, you'll see," Dumbledore replied as he watched the man examine a sign covered in brambles on the left side of the road.
Ogden soon started out at a quick pace down the lane.
"Follow me," Dumbledore said as he started after the little man. Harry glanced at the sign, but already knew what it would say. There were two small arms; the one pointing back the way they had come read: Great Hangleton, 5 miles. The arm pointing in the direction they were walking said Little Hangleton, 1 mile.
"Well we were right," Harry said. "We're off to see the Gaunts."
Soon they lane curved to the left and fell away down a steep hill. Ahead of them, between to hills, was the picturesque village of Little Hangleton.
"That's beautiful," Hermione said as she slowed but did not stop.
"That house," Harry said pointing at a large manor house on the side of hill surrounded by a velvety green lawn. "It seems familiar."
"And so it might," Dumbledore replied. "I believe that is where you witnessed Nagini kill the old man last summer. Of course this memory is years old and currently the manor is very much run-down. Now keep an eye on Ogden for he is going to disappear soon," They had to lengthen their strides since the man had started trotting down the steep slope. About half way to the bottom of the hill, the road curved to the right and they just saw the back of Ogden disappear into a gap in the hedges when they rounded the bend.
"Pay careful attention to where this gap is," Dumbledore instructed the teens as they went through the gap as well. "It has now disappeared, and it's critical we remember where it was."
"Why?" Hermione asked the obvious question. They were now moving along a narrow dirt track bordered by even higher hedges.
"Because where we are going right now, is the same place we need to go later," Dumbledore explained. "Unfortunately all of this has grown into a mass of brambles and hedges since no one uses this path now," The path meandered downward through the growth. Ogden stumbled several times over the rocks and potholes as he continued his trek. Finally the path opened onto a copse of woods and that's where Ogden stopped and drew his wand.
Harry nudged Hermione and indicated the half-hidden building amongst the tangle of tree trunks.
"Where are we?" Hermione asked knowing exactly who lived in that shack.
"We are visiting the Gaunts," Dumbledore replied. He was studying the surrounding area, trying to identify landmarks so he could find this exact place in the present time.
"Who are the Gaunts?"
"Listen and see if you can tell me," Dumbledore instructed.
As Ogden moved cautiously toward the building a man suddenly dropped from a tree and landed on his feet directly in front of the DMLE employee.
Ogden leapt back and stumbled.
Harry studied the man who he knew was Morfin Gaunt this time. The last time he'd just been an odd looking but vicious sort, but now he knew this was Riddle's uncle who Riddle had framed for the murder of his muggle father and his family. Morfin was dressed in rags and covered in filth, but what drew Harry's attention this time was Morfin's eyes. Though he had noticed them last time, he hadn't realized just how much the two eyes looked in opposite directions. "How does he see like that? He wondered to Hermione.
"It appears he suffers from some sort of strabismus," Hermione replied as she also studied the man who had a knife in one hand and a wand in the other. "It's a condition that causes eyes to not be aligned with each other."
"You're not welcome," Morfin said.
"He's hissing," Hermione said.
"Parseltongue," Harry explained. "He's saying Ogden's not welcome."
Ogden took two steps backward before collecting himself. "Er — good morning. I'm from the Ministry of Magic —"
"You're not welcome," The man repeated.
Each time Morfin said something in parseltongue, Harry repeated it to Hermione.
"Er — I'm sorry — I don't understand you," said Ogden nervously.
"Though I'm sure you do, don't you Harry?" Dumbledore said quietly as they watched the events unfold.
Harry attempted to sound confused as he asked, "Why? Why would I...parseltongue? He's speaking parseltongue isn't he?"
"Exactly," Dumbledore replied with a smile. "So...who do you think lives here?"
Harry looked at Dumbledore and missed when Morfin attacked Ogden, leaving him on the ground clutching his nose. "Riddle...you said Riddle's mother was from a bigoted poor...she's here isn't she?"
"Very good," Dumbledore replied with a twinkle in his eye knowing he'd led the teens to the knowledge he wanted them to have. "This is the home of the last descendants of Salazar Slytherin."
"Morfin!" yelled an elderly man who looked more like an aged monkey that a man as he came out of the door banging it shut behind him. Morfin stood over Ogden cackling as he held his knife menacingly.
"Ministry, is it?" asked the older man, when he made it to Ogden.
"Correct!" said Ogden angrily, as he dabbed his face with handkerchief. "And you, I take it, are Mr. Gaunt?"
"S'right," said Gaunt. "Got you in the face, did he?"
"Yes, he did!" snapped Ogden.
"Should've made your presence known, shouldn't you?" suggested Gaunt aggressively. "This is private property. Can't just walk in here and not expect my son to defend himself."
"Defend himself against what, man?" said Ogden, clambering back to his feet.
"Busybodies. Intruders. Muggles and filth," Gaunt replied as if it was obvious.
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