Chapter Seventeen
Escapes
The month of February came quick for Harry since he was kept busy with his schoolwork, his Occlumency lessons with Professor Dumbledore; which was going extremely well, the D.A. meetings, during his free time he read his mother's diary and Quidditch practice had resumed. The Gryffindors led the Quidditch Cup ahead of Ravenclaw by twenty points. Slytherin almost lost to Ravenclaw 150-140 the previous month.
The months past without incident; if you don't count Malfoy cursing other students resulting with Slytherin losing points. Katie Bell piled on Quidditch practice forcing Harry and Ron to have late nights with homework. Gryffindor were favorites for the Quidditch Cup. A few days before the match against Hufflepuff, Malfoy tried an ill-fated attempt to make Harry miss the match, but ended up getting more detention from Professor Pierce. Malfoy again forced his anger on some first years from the other houses. A few hours before game, Harry came in with the rest of the team with applause from the Gryffindor table. Before Harry and Ron left to change into their robes, Hermione gave them both a good luck kiss and left for the stands.
Hermione took a seat behind Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil and awaited the start of the match. Madam Hooch blew her whistle and the match started and Hermione felt a strong poke behind her head. It was Malfoy.
"So Mudblood, are you lonely without the Weasel to keep you company," he sneered and Crabbe and Goyle guffawed.
"You now Malfoy. You should exercise some caution since you now have detention with Professor Pierce," she said and there was a groan and when Hermione turned; Ron had made a save and passed the Quaffle to Katie Bell.
"Potter won't be living long Mudblood."
"You'd better be careful or I will be reporting you."
"You're reporting me on the crime of calling you a 'Mudblood', Mudblood," Malfoy's insult was not heard since the crowd cheered as both Harry and the Hufflepuff Seeker both made a sharp dive toward the ground.
The Hufflepuff Seeker pulled out of the dive out of fear from hitting the ground and Harry caught the Golden Snitch and Gryffindor won 150-0. Malfoy made a groan when Harry caught the Snitch and left; taking his anger on several of the other students not in his house. That night, the Gryffindors had a party in the common room celebrating their victory over Ravenclaw. The party lasted close to midnight until Professor McGonagall told them to end the party.
Harry had a hard time trying to sleep since his roommates refused to sleep since the Quidditch victory earlier that day. Harry had fallen in a deep, dreamless sleep after he had cleared his mind.
The weeks and months pasted without much trouble forHarryas the time for exams came closer and closer. The finial Quidditch match of the year, Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw, ended with Gryffindor winning the game in a close game in which both teams continued to score keeping it a close game and the Quidditch Cup. The teachers piled on the work and studies as exams drew closer forcing the students to stay indoors during beautiful days and causing late nights for them. At the same time for the past few weeks, there has been a breakout at Azkaban and attacks on Muggle villages causing panic throughout the school except for the Slytherins.
Malfoy had begun taunting Harry stating that Malfoy's father would get out of Azkaban. The day after exams, Malfoy started taunting Harry even more almost forcing Harry to hit with a curse. Harry, Ron, and Hermione spent their afternoon under their usual spot under the tree near the lake. They had spent the day relaxing and talking about the coming summer. Ron asked Harry what he was going to do to his aunt and uncle, much to Hermione's displeasure, but Harry's reply was 'only to taunt Dudley'.
Harry's scare erupted into pain and screams were heard as students started running away from hooded figures. Harry's first and only guess was Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters, but why were they here at Hogwarts with Dumbledore as headmaster. Harry started approaching one of the figures, but Ron and Hermione were tried to stop him.
"Harry Potter," the figure hissed like a snake as Harry neared earshot, "we meet again." The figure had the pale face and look of a snake as the figure watched Harry try to walk towards him while being held back by his friends.