Dawn Rivera

Quidditch

As we enter November, the weather turns very cold. The mountains around the school become icy grey and and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground is covered in frost. Hagrid can be seen from the upstairs window defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves, and enormous beaverskin boots.

The Quidditch season has begun. On Saturday, Harry will be playing in his first match after weeks of training: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. If Gryffindor win, we will move up to second place in the house championship.

Hardly anyone has seen Harry play. But the news that he is playing Seeker has leaked out somehow, and I don't know what's worse - people telling him he'll be brilliant or people telling him they'll be running around underneath him holding a mattress.

It is really lucky for Harry now that he has Hermione and me as his friends. I don't know how he'd have gotten through all his homework without us, what with all the last-minute Quidditch practices Wood is making them do. We also lend him Quidditch Through The Ages, which we think he will find to be a very interesting read. I certainly found it so.

Me and Hermione have become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since Harry and Ron saved us from that mountain troll, and we are much nicer for it. The day before Harry's first Quidditch match the four of us are out in the freezing courtyard during break, and me and Hermione have conjured us a bright blue fire that can be carried around in a jam jar. We are standing with our backs to it, getting warm, when Snape crosses the yard. I notice he is limping. Why is he limping? I let out a gasp and the others look at me wierdly. Harry, Ron, Hermione and me move closer together to block the fire from view; we are sure it won't be allowed. Unfortunately, something about our guilty faces catches Snape's eye. He limps over. He hasn't seen the fire, but he seems to be looking for a reason to tell us off anyway.

"What's that you've got there, Potter?"

It is Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry shows him.

"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," says Snape. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."

"He's just made that rule up," Harry mutters angrily as Snape limps away. "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?"

"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," says Ron bitterly.

The Gryffindor common room is very noisy this evening. Harry, Ron, Hermione and me sit together next to a window. Me and Hermione are checking Harry and Ron's Charms homework for them, me. We will never let them copy, but by asking us to read it through, they get the right answers anyway.

I feel restless. I want Harry to have Quidditch Through the Ages back, to take his mind off his nerves about tomorrow. Why should I be afraid of Snape? Getting up, Harry tells me, Ron and Hermione that he is going to ask Snape if he can have it.

"Better you than me," me and Ron say together, but I know that Harry has a plan by the look on his face.

*****************************

"Did you get it?" Ron asks Harry as he joins us. "What's the matter?"

In a low whisper, Harry tells us what he's seen.

"You know what this means?" he finishes breathlessly. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him - he's after whatever it's guarding! I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to make a diversion!"

Hermione and my eyes are wide.

"No - he wouldn't," Hermione says. "I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try to steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."