Chapter 10

Harry stared at his toast. The pumpkin juice that he had forced himself to drink churned in his stomach and threatened to come back up. Hermione looked at him worriedly. "You have to eat something." She finally said. "You'll need your strength."

Harry knew that she was right but the toast in front of him grew colder by the minute. Down the table, Oliver Wood was having similar difficulties with his breakfast and was beginning to look decidedly green. Harry could hear the winds swirling around the castle and even the enchanted ceiling looked dark and foreboding. At a first glance, Fred and George did not seem particularly concerned by the weather as they scarfed down sausages but even Harry could tell that their usual enthusiasm was dampened. Wood had been furious that Slytherin had figured a way out of the match. Malfoy had continued to use his supposedly injured arm as an excuse. As disappointing as it was to not be facing Malfoy in this match, Harry nearly smiled as he remembered Lady DuLac's confrontation with the blond prat.

Harry had been waiting in the corridor in front of the potions classroom. The area was filled with a mix of third year Slytherins and Gryffindors. Tensions were high as Malfoy continued to taunt Harry, Hermione, and Ron with his arm injury.

"My father is going to make sure that the oaf never teaches again. No one injures a Malfoy and gets away with it. Father is going to talk to the minister, you know." Malfoy said loudly as Parkinson fawned over him. He glanced nastily at Harry and his friends.

Harry was about to respond when the door to the classroom swung open and Lady DuLac exited the classroom with Snape following, setting off a new round of whispers amongst the students. Snape, with his robes billowing, ushered the students inside.

As the students were filing in, Malfoy addressed the lady. With his chest puffed out proudly, he stated, "My father told me to invite you to our annual holiday celebration. He informs me that all of the important families are invited. In fact, the minister, himself, will be there." He looked around to ensure that everyone overheard his address.

The Lady looked at the blond third year with one eyebrow raised. Finally, she stated, "I'm sorry. I believe you have me at a disadvantage. Do I know you?"

Malfoy looked astonished for a moment but quickly schooled his features into a haughty look. "I am Draco Malfoy, heir to the Malfoy estate. My father is Lucius Malfoy, as I'm sure you know." He offered slight bow.

The Lady stared at him, her expression inscrutable. Harry enjoyed watching Malfoy begin to fidget. The entire group had paused to witness the exchange. Snape had gone back into the classroom. Harry had glanced up at the professor during the exchange and was surprised to see him rolling his eyes before he exited the scene. Harry didn't know what to make of that gesture.

The Lady finally responded. "I see. I have to admit, I am not entirely familiar with the Malfoy name, nor can I claim much acquaintance with your father. Is he on the Wizengamot?"

Malfoy looked at lost for words. "Er…no…but he has friends on it!"

"I see. I suppose that must account for why he is not amongst my circle of acquaintances. Well, the invitation is accepted but I'm afraid that I cannot attend. As you know, the holiday season is filled with numerous obligations for those of… certain circles. I'm surprised that your family is hosting their own event. Most preeminent families usually attend the various international functions held by different governments."

Malfoy's cheeks flushed pink at the not-so-veiled set-down. He seemed to rally his wits, however, and bowed slightly to the Lady. "In any case, even if you can't attend….father hopes that you will support him in his petition against placing students in contact with dangerous creatures." He showed his arm to the lady expectantly.

"When did this injury occur, Mr. Malfoy? Just now?"

"No, it happened in our Care of Magical Creatures class. A hippogriff attacked me unprovoked. It was highly irresponsible of a certain…I wouldn't call him a professor…but a certain staff member…"

"And how long ago was this? This morning?"

"Er….no a few weeks ago, ma'am"

"And you have been to the infirmary?"

"Of course!"

"Hm." The Lady looked at Malfoy as if trying to decipher a puzzle. "It is surprising that your arm remains injured. Are you sure that your magic is intact? It should have healed quickly with Madam Pomfrey's excellent skills. Perhaps, you should go again to make sure that she gives you some restorative potions. I believe that in some bloodlines, magic can become quite weak, making most available remedies quite difficult to take…"

Malfoy was bright red at this point. "No! I mean…my arm is almost healed…I don't think it's a problem at all! Good day!" Malfoy fled into the classroom.

Lady DuLac smirked and winked Harry before continuing on her way. Harry couldn't help but grin back. Ron was less subtle.

"Did she put down Malfoy, eh? I don't know what she was saying but I think she said he was weak!" Ron looked impressed and his voice grew loud with excitement.

"10 points for your dawdling, Mr. Weasley." Snape's voice cut through the air. The professor stood in front of the doorway, looking menacing. He barked at the remaining students. "The lot of you better enter the classroom, or I will take 10 points for each second wasted!"

The students all scurried into the classroom.

Harry was shaken out of his pleasant reverie when Wood clapped his hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry noticed that the captain's hands were shaking. This made him even more nervous about the upcoming match against Hufflepuff. "Let's go, Potter." His mouth was set in a firm line.

Harry nervously got up from his bench and tried to ignore the wobbling in his knees. He smiled weakly as Ron cheered "Goo' lug mate" through a mouthful of eggs.

Harry couldn't tell whether the roaring in his ears was due to the rain and wind or his nervousness. He could barely see as Wood shook hands with a friendly Diggory. Before he knew, he heard Madam Hooch's whistle over the roaring wind and he took to the air. Harry felt the initial exhilaration that always overtook him when he flew but that feeling of excitement was soon overcome by his blindness. The rain pelted hard against his glasses and he found himself constantly wiping them to no avail. Madam Hooch called a time out after Hufflepuff scored its first goal.

Wood gathered the Gryffindors into a huddle. He seemed determined. "Right," he said as soon as Harry found his way to the group. "This is really bad. We need to end this game quickly before the weather gets worse. They know that too! Potter, what are you doing flying around in circles?"

"I, err…can't see…"

Wood looked flummoxed and outraged.

"Harry!" Hermione's voice rang out from the nearby stands. "Come over here!"

Harry was stunned and stumbled over.

"Give me your glasses!" She stated.

Harry nodded and gave them to her.

"Impervious!" She muttered pointing her wand at his glasses. "Here, try them now." She handed him back his glasses.

Harry tried them and was amazed to find that the rain did not impact his vision.

"Thanks Hermione!"

Wood looked like he could have kissed her. (A/N: Scene borrowed from Prisoner of Azkaban by Rowling. Direct quotes lifted)

Harry rejoined the group. Wood stated, "Right, catch the snitch as quickly as possible Potter!"

They all flew off to rejoin the game.

Harry cheered as he heard Gryffindor score. He looked around the stadium for the snitch. He noticed that above him, Diggory was doing the same.

Looking towards the stands, Harry noticed that Lady DuLac sat in the staff's box next to Snape. She was looking right at him with smile on her face. Harry felt some warmth in the pit of his stomach despite the cold rain drenching his robes. He didn't know why it made him happy that someone was watching him play. However, his face fell as he looked to the right of the staff box. There, in the back of the stands, sat a large black dog. 'The Grim!' thought Harry. He thought it was a trick of the light but as soon as he blinked, he felt a cold, familiar, and very unwelcome feeling overcome him. Harry felt his consciousness fade as he noticed that Dementors had flown into the stadium. His vision started to blacken as he saw a cold rotting arm reaching towards him. He felt his grip on his broom go slack. Harry's head hurt as he suddenly saw a vision of a green light and heard his mother's screams, "No, don't take him! Don't hurt him! Not Harry! Not Harry!"

He heard a high pitched laugh, "Step aside, foolish girl!"

Harry knew he was falling. He regained some consciousness and felt some warmth envelop him as he saw a silvery hawk fly towards the dementors, pushing them back. Harry felt someone's arms around him as he fell. He just wanted to go to sleep. He suddenly felt a tug at his navel and a feeling of being squished really small. He noticed that he was still in midair when he reappeared. He and whoever was holding him were still hurtling towards the ground. Harry felt the pull around his navel again and again. Each time, he noticed that the ground was getting closer and closer and that their speed was not decreasing. Finally, he heard a faint thud, a soft female groan, and a horrible crunching sound. Harry knew that he had not hurt himself. He weakly brought his head up and saw Lady DuLac lying on the ground beside him. He noticed Dumbledore and Snape rushing towards them before he fainted.