Chapter 6


Harry woke early, donned his Invisibility Cloak and hurried to the library. There he pulled out 1001 Magical Creatures and started reading about the Golem.

The Golem is formed from earth and molded into the shape of a man. A piece of paper containing a spell to bring it to life is pushed into the head. It has incredible strength as long as it touches the ground. Its one weakness might be its poor eyesight.

How could he make it not recognize his girlfriend?

Harry felt ill looking at the picture of a Golem. An image of Hermione struggling in its grasp flashed in front of his eyes. No! No matter what Hermione will be safe!

He rushed back to his room before everyone woke up and practiced all of the hexes and charms he knew. He'd never felt so nervous and worried.

The morning of the big match between Slytherin and Gryffindor finally arrived. Ron could not wait to beat Draco and the rest of their goons! Humiliating Draco would be the highlight of his first season! He talked with the other Chasers about some of their strategies for the game.

People started filling into the stadium and Harry became even more anxious. Herminone and Hagrid waved from their steats high in stands. Ron looked at his brothers, already trash-talking with the Slytherins, and grinned.

"It's gonna be a great game, eh Harry", Ron said, slapping his shoulder. Harry nodded and nervously scanned the crowds.

With its usual rituals, the Quidditch game began. Harry hung back away from the action, feverishly scanning the fields. Hopefully, everyone would think he was looking for the Snitch.

Would the Golem try to strike today? In the open? With all of these people around?

He was so nervous and distracted that he could barely keep his mind on the game. Before he knew it Slytherin had scored three times while Gryffindor had scored only twice. But luck was on their side. While Harry was watching the entrance to the arena he noticed the Snitch whiz by. He quickly took off on his broom and followed its zigzag path. Draco, of course, had seen Harry move and tried to cut him off. Harry's faster broom allowed him to accelerate away from Draco.

With his eyes on the Snitch and nothing else, he failed to see the two Beaters, Crabbe and Goyle, come up on either side of him. They both nudged him, tried to pinch him in and tried to make him crash. Were it not for Harry's superior flying skills, they would have succeeded. But he quickly dove his broom the next time Crabbe and Goyle were going to ram him so that they rammed each other instead. With a clear field now, Harry could see the Snitch in front of him. He heard a noise behind him - the crowd was cheering - Ron had scored! And just then, with a quick turn on his broom, he closed his hand around the Snitch and the game was over.

A huge roar came from the crowd as the Gryffindor supporters cheered the win. The smaller Slytherin contingent was expressing their distaste for the refereeing, the weather and pretty much anything else they could think of. Privately and now publicly, they were growing tired of Draco never getting the Snitch.

Harry caught the eye of Dumbledore. The Professor shook his head sadly. Harry sighed to himself. Dumbledore hadn't seen the Golem which means it's still out there. Still waiting to strike. But when? And where?

The Gryffindor team landed, and came over to celebrate and congratulate Harry. He accepted their praise and managed to shoot a smug look to Draco. Just then, his eye caught something moving in the trees to the south. What was that? Was that my imagination?

Hermione made her way through the crowd and hugged Harry close. Harry looked around distractedly.
Where did it go?

"Oh, that was fantastic! You were great!" She raised her head to kiss him, but he quickly pushed away from her.

"Stop it, Hermione," he hissed.

Hermione looked like someone had slapped her.
"What? What's wrong, Harry?" she touched the sleeve of his sweater.
He slapped her hand away and continued to scan the trees.

"Harry Potter! What's gotten into you?" she said angrily.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Ron said, frowning.
He'd been celebrating nearby and noticed the distressed look on Hermione's face.

"All I did was congratulate him." She said, clearly confused.

Ron grabbed Harry's arm and turned him around to face them. "What's the problem, Harry?"

"SHE'S my problem!" Harry waved angrily at Hermione. "Always clinging on to me. Hanging on me."
He looked her straight in the eye. "Just leave me alone!"

Hermione's eyes widened in shock. Her stomach rolled over and she felt sick. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be real! Harry cared for her. He wouldn't treat her like this.

Ron grabbed Harry's sweater and growled.
"Watch what you say to her! You can't talk to her like that. You love her, you ass!"

Harry pushed Ron away. They had attracted a crowd that was gathering around them. Draco was watching with fascination and unsuppressed glee.

"I don't love her." He told Ron.
He looked at Hermione. "I don't love you!"

Harry stalked off the field amid hoots and jeers from the Slytherins, leaving Ron to comfort a heart-broken Hermione.