“So we get to see all three Gryffindor matches in this book,” Hermione said.
“That means that nothing interrupts them like in the previous book, and that you're not in the Hospital Wing, either,” Luna said.
“He – he sent me this,” Hermione said, holding out the letter.
Harry took it. The parchment was damp, and enormous teardrops
“Poor Hagrid,” Luna said.
had smudged the ink so badly in places that it was very difficult to read.
Dear Hermione,
We lost. I’m allowed to bring him back to Hogwarts. Execution date to be fixed. Beaky has enjoyed London. I won’t forget all the help you gave us.
Hagrid
“Is there anything we can do to keep this from happening?” Hermione asked.
“I don't know,” Cedric said.
“They can’t do this,” said Harry. “They can’t. Buckbeak isn’t dangerous.”
“As far as they're concerned, they can, and most likely will,” Hermione said.
“Malfoy’s dad’s frightened the Committee into it,” said Hermione, wiping her eyes. “You know what he’s like.”
“Unfortunately,” Harry said.
“It's really sad at how corrupt the ministry is, to let a bastard like him have so much power,” Hermione said, a bit surprised at her cursing. The others were just as surprised as she was.
“Now you really can't get on anyone's case for cursing,” Cedric said, smirking at her. She did the mature thing, and stuck her tongue at her.
“They’re a bunch of doddery old fools, and they were scared.”
“That's extremely true,” Cedric said.
“There’ll be an appeal, though, there always is. Only I can’t see any hope ... nothing will have changed.”
“Which means that there has to be a way to get Buckbeak out of there, without worrying about Hagrid reaping the consequences,” Hermione said.
“Yeah, it will,” said Ron fiercely. “You won’t have to do all the work alone this time, Hermione. I’ll help.”
“That's going to relieve me,” Hermione said.
“Yeah, between doing your own work and taking that on, you're probably running very thin,” Luna said.
“I wonder what you're going to do once you hear that from him,” Harry said.
“Oh, Ron!”
Hermione flung her arms around Ron’s neck and broke down completely.
“The additional help would be quite welcomed,” Hermione said, blushing at her book self's actions.
Ron, looking quite terrified,
“Poor him,” Harry said, sniggering.
patted her very awkwardly on the top of the head. Finally, Hermione drew away.
“Ron, I’m really, really sorry about Scabbers …” she sobbed.
“I think I really just want my friends back,” Hermione said. “Particularly since I know that Crookshanks did not have anything to do with Scabbers death, or disappearance.”
“Oh – well – he was old,” said Ron, looking thoroughly relieved that she had let go of him.
“So, all it took was some bad news for someone else and for me to say I'm sorry – as well as hang on hi,. In order to get him to forgive me. Now why didn't I think about that before,” Hermione said.
“And he was a bit useless. You never know, Mum and Dad might get me an owl now.”
“So, now that you've apologized, he's stopped whining about his rat,” Cedric said. “How nice.”
The safety measures imposed on the students since Black’s second break-in made it impossible for Harry, Ron and Hermione to go and visit Hagrid in the evenings.
“And I guess that he hasn't invited us to visit,” Harry said.
Their only chance of talking to him was during Care of Magical Creatures lessons.
He seemed numb with shock at the verdict.
“Yeah, I think it's understandable, though he really should have known better, what with Malfoy pulling the strings,” Luna said.
“ ’S all my fault. Got all tongue-tied. They was all sittin’ there in black robes an’ I kep’ droppin’ me notes and forgettin’ all them dates yeh looked up fer me, Hermione. An’ then Lucius Malfoy stood up an’ said his bit, and the Committee jus’ did exac’ly what he told ’em ...”
“Like I said, Malfoy pulls the strings,” Luna said.
“There’s still the appeal!” said Ron fiercely. “Don’t give up yet, we’re working on it!”
“That is true,” Cedric said.
“Somehow, I don't see their opinion changing, though,” Hermione said.
They were walking back up to the castle with the rest of the class. Ahead they could see Malfoy, who was walking with Crabbe and Goyle, and kept looking back, laughing derisively.
“They're laughing because Buckbeak is going to be killed, and they like seeing Hagrid so downtrodden,” Hermione said, eyes narrowed at the book, as if to glare at the three Slytherins.
“ ’S no good, Ron,” said Hagrid sadly
“I think he's given up hope,” Harry said sadly.
as they reached the castle steps. “That Committee’s in Lucius Malfoy’s pocket. I’m jus’ gonna make sure the rest o’ Beaky’s time is the happiest he’s ever had. I owe him that ...”
“It's not Hagrid who owes him anything,” Hermione said.
Hagrid turned round and hurried back towards his cabin, his face buried in his handkerchief.
“Look at him blubber!”
“Please let someone hit him,” Hermione said.
Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had been standing just inside the castle doors, listening.
“Of course they were,” Cedric said. “It's great entertainment for them, after all.”
“Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic?” said Malfoy. “And he’s supposed to be our teacher!”
“Well, Hermione, I think you're most likely going to get your wish,” Harry said. “Since now I'm definitely going to hit him.”
Harry and Ron both made furious moves towards Malfoy, but Hermione got there first – SMACK!
“Go Hermione,” Harry said, while Hermione looked shocked.
“I hit hum?” Hermione said.
“It appears so,” Cedric said.
“And to think, you seem to be the one who usually stops Ron and I from doing that,” Harry said.
She had slapped Malfoy around the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered.
Must've been a good hit,” Harry said.
Harry, Ron, Crabbe and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again.
“And you're about to hit him again,” Luna said.
“Don’t you dare call Hagrid pathetic, you foul – you evil –“
“I think we know what you think about Malfoy,” Cedric said.
“Hermione!” said Ron weakly, and he tried to grab her hand as she swung it back.
“Why is he stopping you?” Cedric said. “He should let you continue to vent your frustrations.”
“Get off, Ron!”
“At least you didn't turn on him,” Harry said.
Hermione pulled out her wand. Malfoy stepped backwards.
“You've scared him,” Harry said.
“I think he probably knows that, in a face to face confrontation, you'd probably win,” Cedric said.
Crabbe and Goyle looked at him for instructions, thoroughly bewildered.
“I don't think that anyone actually has ever made them actual have to act in their capacity as body guards,” Harry said.
“C’mon,” Malfoy muttered, and next moment, all three of them had disappeared into the passageway to the dungeons.
“Is he going to tell on me?” Hermione asked.
“Probably not,” Cedric said. “He'd probably embarrass himself if he did. I mean, considering that your Muggleborn, if it got around that you hit him, and that he didn't do a thing to stop it, then he'd end up a laughing stock to everyone else.”
“Hermione!” Ron said again, sounding both stunned and impressed.
“It does make sense on why,” Harry said. “You normally don't do things like that.”
“Harry, you’d better beat him in the Quidditch final!” Hermione said shrilly. “You just better had, because I can’t stand it if Slytherin win!”
“I won't let it happen,” Harry said. “The only way they'll win is if they put me into the Hospital Wing.”
“Which is something that they'll probably attempt to do,” Cedric said. “However, based on the chapter title, it's fairly reasonable that nothing is going to happen to you.”
“We’re due in Charms,” said Ron, still goggling at Hermione. “We’d better go.”
They hurried up the marble staircase towards Professor Flitwick’s classroom.
“You’re late, boys!" said Professor Flitwick reprovingly,
“Did I suddenly change genders, or something,” Hermione said. “I mean, I was right behind them.”
“That we know of,” Cedric said.
as Harry opened the classroom door. “Come along, quickly, wands out, we’re experimenting with Cheering Charms today. We’ve already divided into pairs –“
“Which means that, if I am there, I will either be with Ron or Harry, or they're going to be together,” Hermione said.
Harry and Ron hurried to a desk at the back and opened their bags. Ron looked behind him.
“Where’s Hermione gone?”
“So I've disappeared. I wonder if, perhaps, I used whatever it is that I'm using to get to all my classes at that moment,” Hermione said. “Maybe I had another class at the same time as Care of Magical Creatures.”
“It is possible. I mean, they weren't paying attention to you, so it definitely would have been a perfect time to disappear and do whatever is needed to get to the class that you 'missed'.”
Harry looked around, too. Hermione hadn’t entered the classroom, yet Harry knew she had been right next to him when he had opened the door.
“Did you actually see her behind you, or are you just assuming that?” Luna asked.
“I don't know,” Harry said, “I haven't lived this yet.”
“That’s weird,” said Harry, staring at Ron. “Maybe – maybe she went to the bathroom or something?”
But Hermione didn’t turn up all lesson.
“Uh-oh,” Cedric said.
“How could I miss a class when I was right behind them,” Hermione said, frowning.
“She could’ve done with a Cheering Charm on her, too,” said Ron, as the class left for lunch, all grinning broadly – the Cheering Charms had left them with a feeling of great contentment.
“I would think that the title of the charm would be enough to say what they do,” Hermione said.
Hermione wasn’t at lunch either. By the time they had finished their apple pie, the after-effects of the Cheering Charms were wearing off, and Harry and Ron had started to get slightly worried.
“Somehow, I think you might have mess up somehow,” Luna said.
“Yes, it does seem to be that way,” Hermione said.
“You don’t think Malfoy did something to her?” Ron said anxiously, as they hurried upstairs towards Gryffindor Tower.
“It's possible, but I don't think he'd be able to get away with it,” Cedric said.
They passed the security trolls, gave the Fat Lady the password (“Flibbertigibbet”) and scrambled through the portrait hole into the common room.
Hermione was sitting at a table, fast asleep, her head resting on an open Arithmancy book.
“It seems that I did mess up somehow,” Hermione said, sighing. “I must've, when done with the class I skipped, gone there to work on my work, forgetting about Charms.”
They went to sit down either side of her. Harry prodded her awake.
“You probably should just let me sleep. Sure, I'll be angry at you later, but it's kind of obvious that I need it, and I might notice the positive effect it'll most like have on me,” Hermione said.
“Wh-what?” said Hermione, waking with a start, and staring wildly around. “Is it time to go?”
“Yeah, we're definitely seeing that taking all classes possible isn't a good thing,” Cedric said.
“At least, the way that I'm trying to do it,” Hermione said.
“W-which lesson have we got now?”
“Divination,”
“Yeah, you should have definitely left me asleep,” Hermione said. “I have the feeling that, if I have to listen to Trelawney say that your going to die again, I'm most likely going to be walking out of that worthless class.”
“I have a feeling that, right now, if you do, since it's most likely close to Easter, then most people will think that Trelawney can predict the truth even more than that probably already do,” Luna said. “Remember, Trelawney did mention that someone would leave around that time.”
“And, after missing a class, I'm definitely at my breaking point, hence why I said that I would most likely walk out of the worthless class,” Hermione said.
“but it’s not for another twenty minutes,” said Harry. “Hermione, why didn’t you come to Charms?”
“What? Oh no!” Hermione squeaked. “I forgot to go to Charms!”
“You know, that's really not like me,” Hermione said.
“You know, that's going to confuse us, since you were right with up until we were right outside the classroom, as far as we know,” Harry said.
“But how could you forget?” said Harry. “You were with us till we were right outside the classroom!”
“I don’t believe it!” Hermione wailed. “Was Professor Flitwick angry?”
“I'd guess that he was more worried about you than upset,” Cedric said. “I just can't see Professor Flitwick mad at you, you being the star student that you are.”
“Yeah, I have to agree with Cedric,” Harry said. “He'd most likely be worried about you instead.”
“Oh, it was Malfoy, I was thinking about him and I lost track of things!”
“You know, that sounds really confusing,” Harry said. “I have the feeling that my book self might be wondering what you me by that.”
“It does seem confusing,” Hermione said.
“You know what, Hermione?” said Ron, looking down at the enormous Arithmancy book Hermione had been using as a pillow.
“I reckon you’re cracking up. You’re trying to do too much.”
“And anyone can see it,” Harry said.
“Even though it's true – though I'm not happy about the wording he used – my book self is not going to be happy to hear that, and is going to deny it,” Hermione said.
“No, I’m not!” said Hermione,
“I really shouldn't try and deny it,” Hermione said.
brushing her hair out of her eyes and staring hopelessly around for her bag. “I just made a mistake, that’s all! I’d better go and see Professor Flitwick and say sorry ... I’ll see you in Divination!”
“I really think you should just skip it,” Luna said.
Hermione joined them at the foot of the ladder to Professor Trelawney’s classroom twenty minutes later, looking extremely harassed.[
“I can’t believe I missed Cheering Charms! And I bet they come up in our exams. Professor Flitwick hinted they might!”
“Which most likely means that they will be,” Harry said.
“Yeah, I think he likes you enough to give you a hint of what's going to be on his exam for your year,” Cedric said.
Together they climbed the ladder into the dim, stifling tower room. Glowing on every little table was a crystal ball full of pearly white mist.
“I take it that whatever else you were working on is done,” Luna said.
“I think it's fire-omens,” Hermione said, thinking back to the chapter that introduced the class. Thinking along the same lines as she was, Cedric flipped back to that chapter, reading out, “ 'In the summer term,' Professor Trelawney went on, 'we shall progress to the crystal ball – if we have finished with fire-omens, that is.' “
“So we've most likely finished with fire-omens,” Harry said.
Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down together at the same rickety table.
“I thought we weren’t starting crystal balls until next term,” Ron muttered,
“Okay,I guess we did fire-omens pretty quickly then,” Harry said, frowning.
casting a wary eye around for Professor Trelawney, in case she was lurking nearby.
“She most likely is,” Hermione said. “After all, she's got to make a dramatic impression.”
“Don’t complain, this means we’ve finished palmistry,” Harry muttered back.
“She skipped over fire-omens, then,” Hermione said, frowning. “She shouldn't have mentioned that we would be doing them if we weren't, then.”
“I was getting sick of her flinching every time she looked at my hands.”
“Yeah, I think anyone would,” Cedric said.
“Somehow, I'm not surprised that she's laying it on thick,” Harry said.
“Yeah, she's got to stay being dramatic, after all,” Hermione said.
“Good day to you!” said the familiar, misty voice, and Professor Trelawney made her usual dramatic entrance out of the shadows. Parvati and Lavender quivered with excitement, their faces lit by the milky glow of their crystal ball.
“I feel sorry for those two girls, being duped and not realizing it,” Luna said.
“I have decided to introduce the crystal ball a little earlier than I had planned,” said Professor Trelawney, seating herself with her back to the fire and gazing around. “The fates have informed me that your examination in June will concern the Orb, and I am anxious to give you sufficient practice.”
The four snorted.
“The fates have informed her?” Cedric said. “She's the one who sets the bloody exam.”
“Yeah, it's such an amazing prediction,” Luna said sarcastically.
Hermione snorted.
“Well, honestly ... 'the fates have informed her' ... who sets the exam? She does! What an amazing prediction!” she said,
“Seems you two are thinking among the lines that Hermione is,” Harry said.
not troubling to keep her voice low.
“Somehow, I doubt that's something new when it comes to that class,” Luna said.
It was hard to tell whether Professor Trelawney had heard them, as her face was hidden in shadow. She continued, however, as though she had not.
“She probably did, but couldn't say anything without looking like the fraud she is,” Hermione said.
“Crystal-gazing is a particularly refined art,” she said dreamily. “I do not expect any of you to See when first you peer into the Orb’s infinite depths. We shall start by practising relaxing the conscious mind and external eyes” – Ron began to snigger uncontrollably, and had to stuff his fist in his mouth to stifle the noise – “so as to clear the Inner Eye and the superconscious. Perhaps, if we are lucky, some of you will See before the end of the class.”
“I doubt it. Unless there are some seers in the class, it's hard to See anything in a crystal ball, other than white mist, of course,” Luna said.
And so they began. Harry, at least, felt extremely foolish, staring blankly at the crystal ball, trying to keep his mind empty when thoughts such as ‘this is stupid’ kept drifting across it.
“Yeah, I can see how that would make it hard,” Cedric said.
It didn’t help that Ron kept breaking into silent giggles and Hermione kept tutting.
“I have the feeling that your probably thinking that this is a waste of time,” Luna said to Hermione.
“Most likely,” Hermione agreed. “As far as my book self is concerned, I could be doing something that's actually useful.”
“Seen anything yet?” Harry asked them, after a quarter of an hour’s quiet crystal-gazing.
“You probably should hope that Trelawney doesn't hear you guys, and try to help,” Cedric said.
“Knowing her and her perchance for not being able to go without saying that Harry is going to die, she'll probably come over anyway,” Hermione said.
“Unfortunately,” Harry said.
“Yeah, there’s a burn on this table,” said Ron, pointing. “Someone’s spilled their candle.”
There was some snorting at this.
“I don't think he's supposed to be studying the table,” Luna said.
“This is such a waste of time,” Hermione hissed. “I could be practising something useful. I could be catching up on Cheering Charms –“
“Knew it,” Hermione muttered to herself.
Professor Trelawney rustled past.
“Would anyone like me to help them interpret the shadowy portents within their Orb?” she murmured over the clinking of her bangles.
“No, I think it's preferable that you stay far, far away from us,” Hermione said.
“Agreed,” Harry said.
“I don’t need help,” Ron whispered. “It’s obvious what this means. There’s going to be loads of fog tonight.”
The four in the room laughed for a good five minutes before calming down.
“You know,” Cedric said, once he had calmed down, “he's not lying. I mean, it's very possible that there will be loads of fog that night.”
“True,” Hermione said, remembering where Hogwarts was.
Both Harry and Hermione burst out laughing.
“I don't think that's going to turn out to be a good thing,” Luna said.
“Now, really!” said Professor Trelawney, as everyone’s heads turned in their direction. Parvati and Lavender were looking scandalised.
“Of course. Trelawney is probably the same way, and they seem to be imitating her, after all,” Hermione said.
“You are disturbing the clairvoyant vibrations!” She approached their table and peered into their crystal ball. Harry felt his heart sinking. He was sure he knew what was coming …
“I think everyone with a brain who isn't blinded by that fraud knows what's coming,” Luna said.
“There is something here!” Professor Trelawney whispered, lowering her face to the ball, so that it was reflected twice in her huge glasses. “Something moving ... but what is it?”
“The ridiculous Grim again,” Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, when it comes to Trelawney, it's easy to know that's what she's about to say,” Harry said.
Harry was prepared to bet everything he owned, including his Firebolt, that it wasn’t good news, whatever it was.
“Yeah, that's kind of obvious,” Hermione said.
And sure enough …
“My dear ...” Professor Trelawney breathed, gazing up at Harry. “It is here, plainer than ever before ... my dear, stalking towards you, growing ever closer ... the Gr—“
“Oh, for goodness’ sake!” said Hermione, loudly. “Not that ridiculous Grim again!”
“I think you've hit your limit of the class,” Cedric said.
“Must be why the class has more detail to it,” Hermione said.
Professor Trelawney raised her enormous eyes to Hermione’s face. Parvati whispered something to Lavender, and they both glared at Hermione, too.
“Well, we can definitely say that they're not friends of yours,” Luna said.
“Honestly, I can't see me being friends with anyone who likes that fraud,” Hermione said. “So I doubt I was every friends with them.”
Professor Trelawney stood up, surveying Hermione with unmistakeable anger.
“She really doesn't like you all that much, does she?” Harry said.
“No, it does not seem so,” Hermione said.
“I am sorry to say that from the moment you have arrived in this class, my dear,”
“I really don't think I like the fact that she's calling me my dear,” Hermione said.
“it has been apparent that you do not have what the noble art of Divination requires.”
“She's that mad at you for not being crazy like her,” Luna said, shaking her head.
“Indeed, I don’t remember ever meeting a student whose mind was so hopelessly Mundane.”
“You know, somehow, I have the feeling that she might purposely be saying this, because you probably don't show signs of actually walking out of the class as she wants you to,” Cedric said. “She probably feels that you need a bit of a push.”
“Because of her one prediction about someone leaving for ever around Easter, right?” Hermione said.
“Exactly,” Cedric said.
“Well, I have the feeling that she's going to get her wish,” Hermione said.
There was a moment’s silence. Then –
“Fine!” said Hermione suddenly, getting up and cramming Unfogging the Future back into her bag.
“Oh, yeah, she's definitely getting her wish,” Hermione said. She sighed. “Well, at least I'll be able to do something that's actually worthwhile.”
“Fine!” she repeated, swinging the bag over her shoulder and almost knocking Ron off his chair.
“I think he's probably have been better not sitting near you,” Luna said.
“I give up! I’m leaving!”
“I really hope that my book self follows you,” Harry said.
“I don't think that'll happen, since your not in the class because you want to me, but because Ron wants to be,” Hermione said.
And to the whole class’s amazement,
“Well considering who it is, it makes sense that they'd be a bit amazed, since it's so out of character towards you,” Harry said.
Hermione strode over to the trapdoor, kicked it open, and climbed down the ladder out of sight.
It took a few minutes for the class to settle down again. Professor Trelawney seemed to have forgotten all about the Grim.
“Thank god, because I really don't want to hear about it again,” Harry said.
She turned abruptly from Harry and Ron’s table, breathing rather heavily as she tugged her gauzy shawl more closely to her.
“Ooooo!” said Lavender suddenly, making everyone start. “Oooooo, Professor Trelawney, I’ve just remembered! You saw her leaving, didn’t you? Didn’t you, Professor? 'Around Easter, one of our number will leave us for ever!' You said it ages ago, Professor!”
“Why does it not surprise me that she's the one who remembers it?” Hermione said.
“Somehow, I doubt Trelawney actually knew that it would be you specifically who walked out,” Harry said.
Professor Trelawney gave her a dewy smile.
“Yes, my dear, I did indeed know that Miss Granger would be leaving us.”
“Liar,” Luna said. “You would have made some motion towards her if you actually thought that she'd be the one who did when you first made the prediction.”
“One hopes, however, that one might have mistaken the Signs ... the Inner Eye can be a burden, you know ...”
“I have to say, I feel sorry for Lavender and Parvati, not realizing what a fraud she is,” Cedric said.
“It's not like anyone else is actually stopping them from doing so. I mean, almost the entire class is that way as well, so it's not their fault,” Hermione said. “They just take it to a bigger level than needed.”
Lavender and Parvati looked deeply impressed, and moved over so that Professor Trelawney could join their table instead.
“I really hope that she does,” Harry said.
“Some day Hermione’s having, eh?” Ron muttered to Harry, looking awed.
“Let's run down your day. First, you hit Malfoy and threaten him with your wand; next, you disappear and completely miss Charms class; and, finally, you walk out of Divination, which, if you think about it, is probably a good thing, because your dislike of the teacher could have you doing a repeat of Malfoy,” Harry said.
“I wouldn't have hit her,” Hermione said. No matter how much she might have deserved it she mentally added.
“You could have threatened her with your wand, though,” Harry said.
“Yeah ...”
Harry glanced into the crystal ball, but saw nothing but swirling white mist. Had Professor Trelawney really seen the Grim again? Would he? The last thing he needed was another near-fatal accident, with the Quidditch final drawing ever nearer.
“No, she most likely didn't see it, but she does probably feel the need to keep up that she did to not only freak you out, but because she just can't let an opportunity like that pass her by. Of course, I most likely messed it up for her,” Hermione said. She sounded particularly proud of that fact.
The Easter holidays were not exactly relaxing. The third-years had never had so much homework.
“And it'll most likely continue to pile up as the years go by,” Cedric said.
Neville Longbottom seemed close to a nervous collapse, and he wasn’t the only one.
“I have that I might even be one as well,” Hermione said.
“Call this a holiday!” Seamus Finnigan roared at the common room one afternoon. “The exams are ages away, what’re they playing at?”
“It's probably a way to also keep us busy, so that we don't get bored,” Hermione said. “I mean, other than walking around the castle and grounds, along with Quidditch, there's nothing to really do."
"There are a few clubs," Cedric said.
"They're obviously not that important, then, since there hasn't been any metion of them," Hermione said.
But nobody had as much to do as Hermione. Even without Divination, she was taking more subjects than anybody else. She was usually last to leave the common room at night, first to arrive at the library next morning; she had shadows like Lupin’s under her eyes, and seemed constantly close to tears.
“Yeah, something is definitely wrong with me,” Hermione said. “If I didn't know better, I'd say that I wasn't getting any sleep at all.”
“You know, based on what it's saying, it does seem like that,” Cedric said. “However, I have the feeling that someone actually forces you to get to bed.”
Ron had taken over responsibility for Buckbeak’s appeal. When he wasn’t doing his own work, he was poring over enormously thick volumes with names like The Handbook of Hippogriff Psychology and Fowl or Foul? A Study of Hippogriff Brutality. He was so absorbed, he even forgot to be horrible to Crookshanks.
“Which is a good thing,” Hermione said.
Harry, meanwhile, had to fit in his homework around Quidditch practice every day, not to mention endless discussions of tactics with Wood. The Gryffindor–Slytherin match would take place on the first Saturday after the Easter holidays. Slytherin were leading the tournament by exactly two hundred points.
“Meaning you have to wait until your team is at least sixty points up, if not more – and, should Slytherin get any points, you have to at least stay sixty points up ahead of them,” Cedric said.
This meant (as Wood constantly reminded his team) that they needed to win the match by more than that amount to win the Cup. It also meant that the burden of winning fell largely on Harry, because capturing the Snitch was worth one hundred and fifty points.
“So you must only catch it if we’re more than fifty points up,” Wood told Harry constantly.
"Oh, god he's going to drive me crazy,” Harry said.
“I think Wood needs to realize that you only need to be told once,” Hermione said.
“Only if we’re more than fifty points up, Harry, or we win the match but lose the Cup. You’ve got that, haven’t you? You must only catch the Snitch if we’re –“
“I KNOW, OLIVER!” Harry yelled.
“Hopefully that got him to back off,” Luna said.
The whole of Gryffindor house was obsessed with the coming match.
“I doubt that's true,” Hermione said. “I certainly am not obsessed with it.”
Gryffindor hadn’t won the Quidditch Cup since the legendary Charlie Weasley (Ron’s second-oldest brother) had been Seeker.
“Actually, that's not true, since Charlie left school just last year, in real life, and we already know that Gryffindor hadn't won the cup for seven years, Cedric said. “And, in truth, while he wasn't on the team last year – shame, that was, since Fred and George joined last year, and they would have done great on a team – he was on in my first year, and the years before.”
“So, technically, it wasn't Charlie who was the only reason for them winning,” Hermione said.
“No,” Cedric said. “I think it might have been because Bill was also on the team as well, the last time it was won.”
"So, basically, having more than one Weasley on the team seems to help them," Hermione said.
"Yeah, I guess," Cedric said.
But Harry doubted whether any of them, even Wood, wanted to win as much as he did. The enmity between Harry and Malfoy was at its highest point ever. Malfoy was still smarting about the mud-throwing incident in Hogsmeade,
“I have to say, I'm rather glad that you weren't punished for that, as it makes it all the sweeter,” Cedric said.
and even more furious that Harry had somehow wormed his way out of punishment. Harry hadn’t forgotten Malfoy’s attempt to sabotage him in the match against Ravenclaw,
“Upon with, in truth, he should have gotten into more trouble than he actually did get into,” Hermione said.
but it was the matter of Buckbeak that made him most determined to beat Malfoy in front of the entire school.
“Somehow, I don't think it matters if you win or not, it won't change Buckbeak's fate,” Luna said.
Never, in anyone’s memory, had a match approached in such a highly charged atmosphere.
“I get the feeling that we're about to find out why the Gryffindor/Slytherin match is always the first one of the season,” Hermione said.
By the time the holidays were over, tension between the two teams and their houses was at breaking-point. A number of small scuffles broke out in the corridors, culminating in a nasty incident in which a Gryffindor fourth-year and a Slytherin sixth-year ended up in the hospital wing with leeks sprouting out of their ears.
“I'd wonder which house started it, but I have the feeling that I already know,” Harry said.
Harry was having a particularly bad time of it. He couldn’t walk to class without Slytherins sticking out their legs and trying to trip him up;
“Of course,” Cedric said.
“Yeah, if they can get you out of the action, they're a definite shoe-in to win,” Hermione said.
Crabbe and Goyle kept popping up wherever he went, and slouching away looking disappointed when they saw him surrounded by people.
“I wonder how they planned on not being implicated that they had something to do with it,” Hermione said.
“Malfoy and the other Slytherins would provide them with an alibi,” Cedric said.
Wood had given instructions that Harry should be accompanied everywhere, in case the Slytherins tried to put him out of action.
“And, based on the problem that Crabbe and Goyle seemed to run into, the Gryffindor house most likely took up the challenge enthusiastically,” Hermione said.
The whole of Gryffindor house took up the challenge enthusiastically, so that it was impossible for Harry to get to classes on time because he was surrounded by a vast, chattering crowd.
“I think everyone but Snape will make an exception for you, since you most likely didn't ask for them to do this,” Hermione said.
Harry was more concerned for his Firebolt’s safety than his own. When he wasn’t flying it, he locked it securely in his trunk, and frequently dashed back up to Gryffindor Tower at break-times to check that it was still there.
“I think you're obsessing over it a bit too much there,” Hermione said.
All usual pursuits were abandoned in the Gryffindor common room the night before the match. Even Hermione had put down her books.
“Okay, that's surprising,” Harry said.
“I wonder how noisy it is,” Hermione said.
“I can’t work, I can’t concentrate,” she said nervously.
There was a great deal of noise.
“Well, honestly, if they're making note of it, then it's probably louder than it has ever been,” Hermione said. “Which is probably what's keeping me from concentrating.”
Fred and George Weasley were dealing with the pressure by being louder and more exuberant than ever. Oliver Wood was crouched over a model of a Quidditch pitch in the corner, prodding little figures across it with his wand and muttering to himself.
“Too late for doing strategies,” Cedric said.
Angelina, Alicia and Katie were laughing at Fred and George’s jokes. Harry was sitting with Ron and Hermione, removed from the centre of things, trying not to think about the next day, because every time he did, he had the horrible sensation that something very large was fighting to get out of his stomach.
“You're nerves are acting up,” Luna said.
“You’re going to be fine,” Hermione told him, though she looked positively terrified.
“You know, that's not going to help my nerves, right?” Harry said.
“I'm probably thinking about how, considering what's already been happening between the houses,” Hermione said. “And the fact that, considering how much is hanging on this match, that the Slytherins will most likely do anything, anything, to win.”
“Yeah, that would terrify me as well,” Luna said.
“You’ve got a Firebolt!” said Ron.
“It's not the broom that will prove who wins the match,” Cedric said, rolling his eyes at Ron's words.
“Yeah ...” said Harry, his stomach writhing.
“Somehow, I don't think anything is going to help with your nerves,” Luna said.
It came as a relief when Wood suddenly stood up and yelled, “Team! Bed!”
“I wonder how long it'll take for you to fall asleep,” Hermione said.
“And I wonder if I'm going to have nightmares,” Harry said.
Harry slept badly. First he dreamed that he had overslept, and that Wood was yelling, “Where were you? We had to use Neville instead!”
“Um, why would they be using Neville?” Harry asked.
“Don't know, it's your dream,” Hermione said.
Then he dreamed that Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherin team arrived for the match riding dragons. He was flying at breakneck speed, trying to avoid a spurt of flames from Malfoy’s steed’s mouth, when he realised he had forgotten his Firebolt.
“Then how were you flying to begin with?” Luna asked.
He fell through the air and woke with a start.
It was a few seconds before Harry remembered that the match hadn’t taken place yet, that he was safe in bed and that the Slytherin team definitely wouldn’t be allowed to play on dragons.
“At least I know that's true,” Harry said.
He was feeling very thirsty. As quietly as he could, he got out of his four-poster and went to pour himself some water from the silver jug beneath the window.
The grounds were still and quiet. No breath of wind disturbed the treetops in the Forbidden Forest; the Whomping Willow was motionless and innocent-looking.
“I was unaware that the tree can look innocent,” Cedric said.
It looked as though conditions for the match would be perfect.
“For now,” Hermione said.
Harry set down his goblet and was about to turn back to his bed when something caught his eye. An animal of some kind was prowling across the silvery lawn.
Harry dashed to his bedside table, snatched up his glasses and put them on, then hurried back to the window. It couldn’t be the Grim – not now – not right before the match –
“I doubt that it's the Grim,” Luna said. “There's nothing dangerous going on now, after all.” The last part was said in a teasing sort of voice.
He peered out at the grounds again and, after a minute’s frantic searching, spotted it. It was skirting the edge of the Forest now ... it wasn’t the Grim at all ... it was a cat ... Harry clutched the window-ledge in relief as he recognised the bottle-brush tail. It was only Crookshanks …
“What's Crookshanks doing out there, by that tree?” Hermione asked.
Or was it only Crookshanks? Harry squinted, pressing his nose flat against the glass. Crookshanks seemed to have come to a halt. Harry was sure he could see something else moving in the shadow of the trees, too.
And next moment, it had emerged: a gigantic, shaggy black dog, moving stealthily across the lawn, Crookshanks trotting at its side.
“It looks like that dog you keep seeing is just that, a dog,” Cedric said.
“But then what is it doing at the school,” Hermione said.
“Maybe it likes Harry,” Luna said. “And wants to be his.”
“It's an awful long way to travel for a dog,” Hermione said.
“It could be a determined dog,” Luna said.
Harry stared. What did this mean? If Crookshanks could see the dog as well, how could it be an omen of Harry’s death?
“Ron!” Harry hissed. “Ron! Wake up!”
“Huh?”
“I need you to tell me if you can see something!”
“I take it that your not trusting your own eyes,” Hermione said.
“ ’S all dark, Harry,” Ron muttered thickly. “What’re you on about?”
“Down here –“
“I have the feeling that he won't be seeing them,” Cedric said.
Harry looked quickly back out of the window.
Crookshanks and the dog had vanished. Harry climbed onto the windowsill to look right down into the shadows of the castle, but they weren’t there. Where had they gone?
A loud snore told him Ron had fallen asleep again.
“Somehow, I don't think he even moved from his bed,” Harry said.
Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor team entered the Great Hall next day to enormous applause. Harry couldn’t help grinning broadly as he saw that both the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were clapping them, too.
“Of course. Only the Slytherins want to see themselves win; everyone else wants Gryffindor to win,” Cedric said.
The Slytherin table hissed loudly as they passed. Harry noticed that Malfoy looked even paler than usual.
Wood spent the whole of breakfast urging his team to eat, while touching nothing himself.
“He should eat himself, not just force us to,” Harry said.
Then he hurried them off to the pitch before anyone else had finished, so they could get an idea of the conditions. As they left the Great Hall, everyone applauded again.
“Good luck, Harry!” called Cho Chang. Harry felt himself blushing.
“Happy that your crush has acknowledged you, are you,” Hermione said, smiling towards Harry.
“OK ... no wind to speak of ... sun’s a bit bright, that could impair your vision, watch out for it ... ground’s fairly hard, good, that’ll give us a fast kick-off ...”
I wonder how fast we can get through the rest of this chapter Hermione thought, having no desire to hear a drawn out chapter on the match now that that it was getting close to it.
“I think we should try not to interrupt so much for the rest of this chapter,” Harry said. “At least, we shouldn't interrupt so much during the actual game.”
“I guess we can do that,” Cedric said, and Luna nodded.
Wood paced the pitch, staring around with the team behind him. Finally they saw the front doors of the castle open in the distance, and the rest of the school spill onto the lawn.
“Time to go get changed into your uniforms,” Cedric said.
“Changing rooms,” said Wood tersely.
None of them spoke as they changed into their scarlet robes. Harry wondered if they were feeling like he was: as though he’d eaten something extremely wriggly for breakfast.
“Lovely,” Harry said, frowning.
“You must really be nervous,” Luna said.
In what seemed like no time at all, Wood was saying, “OK, it’s time, let’s go ...”
They walked out onto the pitch to a tidal wave of noise. Three-quarters of the crowd were wearing scarlet rosettes, waving scarlet flags with the Gryffindor lion upon them or brandishing banners with slogans such as “GO GRYFFINDOR!” and “LIONS FOR THE CUP!”
“Yeah, I think it's safe to say that almost everyone wants Gryffindor to win,” Hermione muttered.
Behind the Slytherin goalposts, however, two hundred people were wearing green; the silver serpent of Slytherin glittered on their flags, and Professor Snape sat in the very front row, wearing green like everyone else,
“You mean he's actually wearing a colour other than black,” Cedric said.
and a very grim smile.
“And here are the Gryffindors!” yelled Lee Jordan, who was acting as commentator as usual.
“I wonder what they'll do when he graduates,” Luna said.
“Find someone else to do the commentary,” Cedric said.
“Potter, Bell, Johnson, Spinnet, Weasley, Weasley and Wood.”
“I wonder why he called me first, and then the others in alphabetically order,” Harry said.
“I think he's actually doing it by position, starting with the Seeker,” Hermione said.
“Widely acknowledged as the best side Hogwarts has seen in a good few years –“
“That is true, you do seem to be a good side,” Cedric said.
Lee’s comments were drowned by a tide of ‘boos’ from the Slytherin end.
“Of course,” Luna said, rolling her eyes.
“And here come the Slytherin team, led by captain Flint. He’s made some changes in the line-up and seems to be going for size rather than skill –“
More boos from the Slytherin crowd. Harry, however, thought Lee had a point. Malfoy was easily the smallest person on the Slytherin team; the rest of them were enormous.
“They shouldn't be getting mad at the fact that he's speaking the truth,” Cedric said.
“Captains, shake hands!” said Madam Hooch.
Flint and Wood approached each other and grasped each other’s hands very tightly; it looked as though each was trying to break the other’s fingers.
“Flint most likely was trying to do that,” Cedric said.
“Mount your brooms!” said Madam Hooch. “Three ... two ... one ...”
The sound of her whistle was lost in the roar from the crowd as fourteen brooms rose into the air. Harry felt his hair fly back off his forehead; his nerves left him in the thrill of the flight; he glanced around, saw Malfoy on his tail, and sped off in search of the Snitch.
“And the match begins,” Luna said underneath her breath.
“And it’s Gryffindor in possession, Alicia Spinnet of Gryffindor with the Quaffle, heading straight for the Slytherin goalposts, looking good, Alicia! Argh, no – Quaffle intercepted by Warrington, Warrington of Slytherin tearing up the pitch – WHAM! – nice Bludger work there by George Weasley,”
“I wonder if he's sure on which twin it is,” Hermione said.
“Warrington drops the Quaffle, it’s caught by – Johnson, Gryffindor back in possession, come on, Angelina – nice swerve round Montague – duck, Angelina, that’s a Bludger! – SHE SCORES! TEN–ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!”
Angelina punched the air as she soared round the end of the pitch; the sea of scarlet below was screaming its delight –
“Of course they are,” Cedric said.
“OUCH!”
“What happened?” Hermione said, sounding worried.
Angelina was nearly thrown from her broom as Marcus Flint went smashing into her.
“Sorry!” said Flint, as the crowd below booed. “Sorry, didn’t see her!”
He must be blind if he didn't see her thought Cedric.
Next moment, Fred Weasley had chucked his Beater’s club at the back of Flint’s head. Flint’s nose smashed into the handle of his broom and began to bleed.
I don't think that was the smartest thing to do Hermione thought.
“That will do!” shrieked Madam Hooch, zooming between them. “Penalty to Gryffindor for an unprovoked attack on their Chaser! Penalty to Slytherin for deliberate damage to their Chaser!”
“Come off it, Miss!” howled Fred, but Madam Hooch blew her whistle and Alicia flew forward to take the penalty.
“Which she'll probably put away with ease,” Cedric said.
“Come on, Alicia!” yelled Lee into the silence that had descended on the crowd. “YES! SHE’S BEATEN THE KEEPER! TWENTY–ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!”
Harry turned the Firebolt sharply to watch Flint, still bleeding freely, fly forwards to take the Slytherin penalty. Wood was hovering in front of the Gryffindor goalposts, his jaw clenched.
“I have the feeling that he won't be letting it through,” Harry muttered.
“ ’Course, Wood’s a superb Keeper!” Lee Jordan told the crowd, as Flint waited for Madam Hooch’s whistle. “Superb! Very difficult to pass – very difficult indeed – YES! I DON’T BELIEVE IT! HE’S SAVED IT!”
Didn't he just say that Wood was difficult to pass Luna thought. She could tell that she wasn't the only one thinking that, though none of them really wanted to be the one to interrupt the match.
Relieved, Harry zoomed away, gazing around for the Snitch, but still making sure he caught every word of Lee’s commentary. It was essential that he hold Malfoy off the Snitch until Gryffindor was more than fifty points up ...
“Gryffindor in possession, no, Slytherin in possession – no! – Gryffindor back in possession and it’s Katie Bell, Katie Bell for Gryffindor with the Quaffle, she’s streaking up the pitch – THAT WAS DELIBERATE!”
“What was?” Hermione wondered.
Montague, a Slytherin Chaser, had swerved in front of Katie, and instead of seizing the Quaffle, had grabbed her head. Katie cartwheeled in the air, managed to stay on her broom but dropped the Quaffle.
That really was deliberate Cedric thought.
Madam Hooch’s whistle rang out again as she soared over to Montague and began shouting at him. A minute later, Katie had put another penalty past the Slytherin Keeper.
“THIRTY–ZERO! TAKE THAT, YOU DIRTY, CHEATING –“
“Jordan, if you can’t commentate in an unbiased way –!”
“I’m telling it like it is, Professor!”
He's definitely has some guts Harry thought.
Harry felt a huge jolt of excitement. He had seen the Snitch – it was shimmering at the foot of one of the Gryffindor goalposts – but he mustn’t catch it yet. And if Malfoy saw it …
“Game over,” Harry muttered underneath his breath.
Faking a look of sudden concentration, Harry pulled his Firebolt round and sped off towards the Slytherin end. It worked. Malfoy went haring after him, clearly thinking Harry had seen the Snitch there ...
WHOOSH.
One of the Bludgers came streaking past Harry’s right ear, hit by the gigantic Slytherin Beater, Derrick. Next moment –
WHOOSH.
The second Bludger had grazed Harry’s elbow. The other Beater, Bole, was closing in.
Harry had a fleeting glimpse of Bole and Derrick zooming towards him, clubs raised –
He turned the Firebolt upwards at the last second, and Bole and Derrick collided with a sickening crunch.
The four rolled their eyes, knowing that there really was no way that they would have ever been able to get Harry.
“Ha haaa!” yelled Lee Jordan, as the Slytherin Beaters lurched away from each other, clutching their heads. “Too bad, boys! You’ll need to get up earlier than that to beat a Firebolt! And it’s Gryffindor in possession again, as Johnson takes the Quaffle – Flint alongside her – poke him in the eye, Angelina! – it was a joke, Professor, it was a joke – oh, no – Flint in possession, Flint flying towards the Gryffindor goalposts, come on, now, Wood, save –!”
But Flint had scored; there was an eruption of cheers from the Slytherin end and Lee swore so badly that Professor McGonagall tried to tug the magical megaphone away from him.
“Sorry, Professor, sorry! Won’t happen again!”
“Now, I can honestly say that, that's a bit of a lie,” Cedric said.
“So, Gryffindor in the lead, thirty points to ten, and Gryffindor in possession –“
It was turning into the dirtiest match Harry had ever played in. Enraged that Gryffindor had taken such an early lead, the Slytherins were rapidly resorting to any means to take the Quaffle. Bole hit Alicia with his club and tried to say he’d thought she was a Bludger. George Weasley elbowed Bole in the face in retaliation. Madam Hooch awarded both teams penalties, and Wood pulled off another spectacular save, making the score forty–ten to Gryffindor.
“Just thirty more points, and you'll be able to catch the Snitch once you see it,” Hermione said.
The Snitch had disappeared again. Malfoy was still keeping close to Harry as he soared over the match, looking around for it – once Gryffindor were fifty points ahead ...
Katie scored. Fifty-ten. Fred and George Weasley were swooping around her, clubs raised, in case any of the Slytherins were thinking of revenge. Bole and Derrick took advantage of Fred and George’s absence to aim both Bludgers at Wood; they caught him in the stomach, one after the other, and he rolled over in the air, clutching his broom, completely winded.
Madam Hooch was beside herself.
“You do not attack the Keeper unless the Quaffle is within the scoring area!”she shrieked at Bole and Derrick. “Gryffindor penalty!”
“So, at least thirty of those points Gryffindor has is because of penalties,” Hermione said, shaking her head. “You would think that the Slytherin would realize that they're not helping themselves all that much.”
[b]And Angelina scored. Sixty–ten. Moments later, Fred Weasley pelted a Bludger at Warrington, knocking the Quaffle out of his hands; Alicia seized it and put it through the Slytherin goal: seventy–ten.
The Gryffindor crowd below were screaming themselves hoarse – Gryffindor were sixty points in the lead, and if Harry caught the Snitch now, the Cup was theirs. Harry could almost feel hundreds of eyes following him as he soared around the pitch, high above the rest of the game, with Malfoy speeding along behind him.
And then he saw it. The Snitch was sparkling twenty feet above him.
Harry put on a huge burst of speed, the wind roaring in his ears; he stretched out his hand, but suddenly, the Firebolt was slowing down –
“Wait, what's going on?” Harry asked.
“That broom should not be slowing down,” Cedric said.
Horrified, he looked around. Malfoy had thrown himself forward, grabbed hold of the Firebolt’s tail and was pulling it back.
“You –“
Harry was angry enough to hit Malfoy, but he couldn’t reach. Malfoy was panting with the effort of holding onto the Firebolt, but his eyes were sparkling maliciously. He had achieved what he’d wanted – the Snitch had disappeared again.
“Somehow, I just know that you'll still get it, so that won't help his team,” Luna said.
“Penalty! Penalty to Gryffindor! I’ve never seen such tactics!” Madam Hooch screeched, shooting up to where Malfoy was sliding back onto his Nimbus Two Thousand and One.
“He should pulled out of the game for a while, at the very least,” Hermione said. “It might teach him something.”
“YOU CHEATING SCUM!” Lee Jordan was howling into the megaphone, dancing out of Professor McGonagall’s reach. “YOU FILTHY, CHEATING B—“
Professor McGonagall didn’t even bother to tell him off. She was actually shaking her fist in Malfoy’s direction; her hat had fallen off, and she, too, was shouting furiously.
Alicia took Gryffindor’s penalty, but she was so angry she missed by several feet. The Gryffindor team was losing concentration and the Slytherins, delighted by Malfoy’s foul on Harry, were being spurred on to greater heights.
They really shouldn't be letting it affect them Cedric thought, shaking his head.
“Slytherin in possession, Slytherin heading for goal – Montague scores –“ Lee groaned. “Seventy–twenty to Gryffindor ...”
Now I have to wait until the team gets ahead by another ten points Harry thought.
Harry was now marking Malfoy so closely their knees kept hitting each other. Harry wasn’t going to let Malfoy anywhere near the Snitch ...
“Get out of it, Potter!” Malfoy yelled in frustration, as he tried to turn and found Harry blocking him.
“Angelina Johnson gets the Quaffle for Gryffindor, come on, Angelina, COME ON!”
Harry looked round. Every single Slytherin player apart from Malfoy, even the Slytherin Keeper, was streaking up the pitch towards Angelina – they were all going to block her –
Harry wheeled the Firebolt about, bent so low he was lying flat along the handle and kicked it forwards. Like a bullet, he shot towards the Slytherins.
“AAAAAAARRRGH!”
They scattered as the Firebolt zoomed towards them; Angelina’s way was clear.
“SHE SCORES! SHE SCORES! Gryffindor lead by eighty points to twenty!”
“Somehow, I don't think it's a good think that you got distracted by that,” Cedric said.
Harry, who had almost pelted headlong into the stands, skidded to a halt in mid-air, reversed and zoomed back into the middle of the pitch.
And then he saw something to make his heart stand still. Malfoy was diving, a look of triumph on his face – there, a few feet above the grass below, was a tiny, golden glimmer.
Harry urged the Firebolt downwards but Malfoy was miles ahead.
“You'll most likely get there,” Hermione said. “And before Malfoy gets the Snitch. You are, after all, on a faster broom than he is. Now, if this was your Nimbus...” She didn't have to finish that thought.
“Go! Go! Go!” Harry urged his broom. They were gaining on Malfoy ... Harry flattened himself to the broom handle as Bole sent a Bludger at him ... he was at Malfoy’s ankles ... he was level –
Harry threw himself forwards, taking both hands off his broom. He knocked Malfoy’s arm out of the way and –
“YES!”
“Congratulations,” Hermione, Cedric, and Luna said.
He pulled out of his dive, his hand in the air, and the stadium exploded. Harry soared above the crowd, an odd ringing in his ears. The tiny golden ball was held tight in his fist, beating its wings hopelessly against his fingers.
Then Wood was speeding towards him, half-blinded by tears; he seized Harry around the neck and sobbed unrestrainedly into his shoulder. Harry felt two large thumps as Fred and George hit them; then Angelina, Alicia and Katie’s voices, “We’ve won the Cup! We’ve won the Cup!” Tangled together in a many-armed hug, the Gryffindor team sank, yelling hoarsely, back to earth.
“That's one way to land,” Cedric said.
Wave upon wave of crimson supporters was pouring over the barriers onto the pitch. Hands were raining down on their backs. Harry had a confused impression of noise and bodies pressing in on him. Then he, and the rest of the team, were hoisted onto the shoulders of the crowd.
“Of course you would be,” Luna said.
Thrust into the light, he saw Hagrid, plastered with crimson rosettes – “Yeh beat ’em, Harry, yeh beat ’em! Wait till I tell Buckbeak!” There was Percy, jumping up and down like a maniac, all dignity forgotten.
“That would be interesting to see,” Harry said.
Professor McGonagall was sobbing harder even than Wood, wiping her eyes with an enormous Gryffindor flag; and there, fighting their way towards Harry, were Ron and Hermione. Words failed them. They simply beamed, as Harry was borne towards the stands, where Dumbledore stood waiting with the enormous Quidditch Cup.
“Finally, it'll no longer grace the presence of Snape,” Cedric said.
If only there had been a Dementor around ... As a sobbing Wood passed Harry the Cup, as he lifted it into the air, Harry felt he could have produced the world’s best Patronus.
“Yeah, I can see why you'd say that,” Hermione said.
“That's the end of the chapter,” Cedric said, handing the book over to Luna. Cedric's stomach chose at that time to growl.
“Hungry already?” Hermione asked. “We haven't been up for that long.”
“I can't help it, I'm a growing boy,” Cedric said.
“Maybe we should at least try to get another chapter in before we eat,” Harry said.
“I do think I can wait that long,” Cedric agreed.
“Okay, then,” Luna said, turning the page to the next chapter.