“It’s James!” Alice shouted over the wind, as we ran together down to the lake. “He’s at it again!”

It was obvious they were wrapping around behind me, blocking my escape. I easily could have run already, I would probably be able to beat them in a race. But my Gryffindor pride held me fast, and before long it was too late for any hope of escaping. I squeezed my fingers around my wand, and it dug into my palm. However, among these hulking figures, it felt like only a skinny little piece of wood.

I stared at him, my eyes widening in surprise. I was beginning to notice other injuries. His lip was cracked and swollen, and it looked like a black eye was beginning to appear. Three long gashes were torn through the chest of his robes, and blood was visible through them. “Potter, what happened to you?” I cried out in shock.