Finally, it was Saturday, which everyone was keen for it to come. It was the weekend, and today, the Gryffindor Quidditch team trainings were scheduled to start. However, Ginny and Neville still didn't have their own broomsticks. Harry felt a bit of guilt for not remembering about that. So, he got a special permission from Professor Dumbledore, to visit Diagon Alley, and buy the two brooms, Comet three hundred, and Nimbus two thousand and one. Although they were worth a lot of money, Harry had enough in his Gringotts vault.

Harry was accompanied by Hermione and Ron, who were both pleased to come with him.
"I reckon the Nimbus two thousand and one's price rose a bit, don't you?" Ron asked Harry.
" I don't know, maybe," he replied uncertainly.
"No bet the Comet three hundred's price didn't," said Hermione, laughing.
"Yeah," said Harry quietly.
Finally, Diagon Alley stood in front of them, crowded as always with customers, walking in and out of the different shops.
"Hey, I'll go get some money from Gringotts, want to come?" asked Harry.
"Sure, we'd love to," replied Hermione, and she gave Harry a wink. He smiled.
"Do you think Bill's in there though?" asked Ron, looking annoyed from the fact of mentioning Bill.
"So? It won't do any bad, would it?" asked Harry.
"I reckon if he sees us, he'll write to Mom, and tell her we've been sneaking out of school, wondering around here for no reason," declared Ron
"Why are you thinking this way?" asked Hermione, perplexed.
"I don't know, come on, let's get some money out of your vault Harry," said Ron, pushing the two forwards.
"Ok," said Harry happily.

Fifteen minutes later, the trio got out of Gringotts. Harry got three thousand galleons out of his vault. For Ron's luck, Bill wasn't inside. Although Bill wasn't present, Ron was still disgusted from the sight of the ugly dwarf sized goblins. Every time he set an eye on them, he felt something repulsive come into his mouth.

Now, Harry had to buy the two broomsticks for Ginny and Neville. When they entered the shop, many brooms were lying on several shelves, all of them looked brand new.
"How may I help you dears?" asked the lady.
"Um...we need one Comet three hundred, and one Nimbus two thousand and one," answered Harry, getting money out of three golden bags.
"Is that all?" asked the lady again, smiling.
"Yes," answered Hermione.
Immediately, the lady dashed to the back of the storeroom, and came back with two gleaming shining broomsticks, a brown orange Comet three hundred, and a jet black green Nimbus two thousand and one. She laid them on the counter.
"Er.. could you please wrap them? We want them to be presents," said Harry.
"My pleasure," answered the lady. At once, with a wave of her wand, she wrapped the two broomsticks with tight present wrappers and handed them over to Hermione and Harry. Meanwhile, Ron was counting the number of galleons that were supposed to be paid from Harry's three golden bags.
"That'll be...one thousand and six hundred galleons my dear," said the lady, beaming at them.
"No problem," said Harry, and paid the lady.
"Thank you," muttered the lady softly, "do visit us again, bye,"

Harry, Hermione, and Ron stepped out of the shop and headed back to Hogwarts, which was far away. The journey took them several hours, until at last, they reached the gigantic castle of Hogwarts.
"Ginny will dance around the common room when she gets her broomstick," said Ron, giggling.
"Neville will be knocked out, straight away," said Harry, laughing even louder than Ron. Hermione laughed too.

Throughout the afternoon, the trio have been trying to find the right time to present the broomsticks to Neville and Ginny, but couldn't. Eventually, when all the Gryffindors went back to the common room to sleep, they got their big chance.
"Neville, Ginny, we've got something for you," said the trio together. Their hands came into Neville and Ginny's view, holding two magnificent broomsticks.
"Oh my God, " said Ginny, her eyes almost popping out.
Neville's jaw fell wide open, staring at his Comet three hundred.
"Brand new," began Ron, handing the broomsticks to Neville and Ginny.
"Just as you wanted, " said Hermione. "Thanks to Harry here, we've been able to get these broomsticks for you." Harry blushed. These days, Hermione was beginning to be kinder to him than usual, way more. Harry loved it.
"Thank you so much," proclaimed Neville and Ginny together, still in the shock of their broomsticks in their own hands.
"You're most welcome, " replied Harry, giving Hermione and Ron a wink.

Three hours passed since the trio came back to Hogwarts and presented the Comet three hundred and Nimbus two thousand and one to Neville and Ginny; it was at last time to begin the Quidditch training.
"Ok folks, I'll meet you in the Quidditch pitch in then minutes," said Harry. He summoned his Firebolt X6, and joined Hermione and Ron, heading to the changing rooms.
Harry got out, so did Hermione, with her hands tightly holding her Firebolt, Ron with his Cleansweep.
Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown, Neville, and Ginny appeared out of the changing rooms, staring at their own broomsticks.
"Right then, today, we shall begin with some new techniques for all positions. But first, step into the pitch, teammates," said Harry, and the seven players headed to the Quidditch pitch.
"Mount your brooms," instructed Harry. "Fly up everyone, now,"
The seven rose fifty feet up in the air, all hanging on to their broomsticks.
"Listen to me carefully, we'll begin first with beater training," he turned his eyes to Parvati and Lavender. "Hermione, Ron and I will be tossing Bludgers at you, and you'll have to defend Neville and Ginny, using your bats. Pay attention, you'll have to move quickly, otherwise, they'll be knocked out easily, get it?"
"Yes," replied Parvati and Lavender together.
"Right," said Harry, and turned towards Hermione and Ron, "you two be fast, ok? Throw the Bludgers straight at the empty spaces. I want to see how fast they think and move at the same time."
"No problem," said Ron, struggling to get a strong grip on the Bludger.
"But...Harry...what if Parvati and Lavender were too late, and Neville and Ginny were really injured? Bludgers are very rough you know," said Hermione earnestly.
"Don't worry, everything will be under control. If things go too nasty, you can summon the Bludger back. And if we are too late, Madam Pomfrey's always at the patients' service, isn't she?" he giggled, so did Hermione and Ron.
Immediately, Harry took a Bludger from Ron, and threw it sharply at Neville. Before it even scratched him, Parvati shot it away with her heavy bat.
"Why am I always the victim?" said Neville, rubbing some sweat off his face.
"Good move Parvati," complemented Hermione, "but try hitting the Bludger while swirling in the air next time, that'll be a bit tough."
"Try me," said Parvati, grinning at the trio.
"Here comes the second one," said Ron, and shot the Bludger at his own sister, without any feeling of remorse.
Parvati was half right. She did swirl in the air circularly, with her bat rolling in the air too, but the Bludger went past her. Had not Lavender acted right in the right time, Ginny would've had a broken nose.
"You were right Hermione, I should train on this move a bit more," commented Parvati.
"Good work Lavender," said Ron.
"Thank you Ron," answered Lavender happily.
"So, now let's move on to chaser techniques and moves, do you agree?" asked Harry, turning his eyes to Hermione, Ginny, and Neville.
"This fast?" asked Neville reluctantly. "Ok, fine with me Harry."
"Good," began Harry, rubbing sweat off his nose, "Hermione, Ginny, and Neville, you'll have the Quaffle with you. You shall pass it to each other, and try to come past us, and score it, through one of those three hoops. Of course, Lavender, Parvati, Ron, and I will be the obstacles in your way."
"Seems interesting, you really know Quidditch Harry," complimented Hermione.
"How can't I? I've been on the team for the sixth year running now," said Harry, so sure of himself, and grinned.
"Right then, now, you three line up over there," Harry told Hermione, Ginny, and Neville to stand in a horizontal line, just three meters in front of the east side hoops of the Quidditch pitch. Hermione had the Quaffle in her hand.
Harry was watching his wristwatch.
"Three," he began counting," two...one...GO!"

Within moments, Hermione passed the Quaffle to Neville, who zoomed through the air as fast as thunder. However, the Quaffle was taken by Lavender, she headed towards their side, and, luckily for the chasers, Ginny saved the right sided hoop, by shooting the Quaffle harshly with her broomtail.
"Not bad Ginny," said Ron, giggling.
After that, Hermione was in position of handling the Quaffle again. Her Firebolt was faster than ever now; she dashed to the far sides of the pitch, raising her hand to score, but instead, she found herself face to face with Harry. She was frozen to her broom, lost for actions.
"Come on Hermione, move it," screamed Neville and Ginny from afar.
Anyway, Harry, using his brilliant Firebolt X6, descended quickly, and tried to snatch the Quaffle right out of Hermione's left hand, but...
"Ginny, catch!" declared Hermione. At once, the Quaffle was falling down ten feet, until Ginny grabbed it tightly, and headed to Harry's side of hoops. Parvati and Lavender were blocking her way. She had no choice other than to pass the Quaffle on to Neville.
"Fantastic work Hermione, they'll surely find it difficult to get past you," said Harry.
"Thank you so much, I'm just another beginner," replied Hermione, smiling at him fervently.
"Neville, catch the Quaffle!"
The Quaffle landed right between Neville's arms. He stopped for a moment, gazing at the approaching Harry. Without any warning, Harry kicked the bottom of the Quaffle, to roll several times in the air and to land on Harry's right palm. Poor Neville was disappointed.
"Better wake up earlier Neville, to beat a Firebolt X6," said Ron earnestly. Neville nodded.

The training continued on, until at last, it was all over, when Neville scored a glorious goal through the middle hoop, when the Quaffle flew right through Parvati's legs, and into the empty, circular hoop.
"Congratulations Neville, well done," said Harry, clapping Neville on the back.
"Good job," said a happy Hermione.
"Nicely done," declared Ron, patting Neville on the hand.
"Stunning work," complimented Parvati, Lavender, and Ginny.
"Thank you, I didn't think I was better at anything else, other than Herbology I mean," squeaked Neville quietly, he was tired.
"Well done, all of you," said Harry, giving the whole group a thumbs-up, "Ok, next training will be on...Friday, what do you think?"
"Allright," replied Hermione and Ron.
"Good enough for us," declared Ginny, Lavender, and Parvati.
"What they said," said Neville, pointing at the two girls.
"So this is settled now, next Friday, don't forget," said Harry for one last time, and then, they all entered the castle, and headed to Gryffindor common room. They didn't fancy having dinner now. They lost their appetite from the harsh smart Quidditch training.

"Hey Ron," Harry went on, "don't you notice something?"
"No, what?" answered Ron, looking slightly puzzled.
"I mean...nothing funny happened, right? Attacks or killings I mean," explained Harry.
"And why would you want attacks and killings?" asked Ron, perplexed.
" Ron, I mean...well...Voldemort... his Death Eaters; they didn't do anything, did they?"
"Not yet," answered Ron, his voice lowering down to a mono tone, "so, what made you think about that?"
"I don't know, really," added Harry uncertainly.
It was true though, this time every year, the students, including Harry, always began facing trouble from Voldemort, his death-eaters, some tricky cunning men, with the real inside of them disguised. Perhaps, this is why Harry was beginning to consider this matter. Nothing major happened to them, no serious attacks, except maybe the Cockatoodles'.

Hermione just came down the stairs, and joined Harry and Ron for a conversation. Harry went ahead, and told her all about his thought and wonder.

"Honestly, I don't know what it means Harry. Maybe Voldemort doesn't want anything to happen just yet, but of course, he must be planning for something, he always did. Meanwhile, I don't know why nothing happened till now, nothing strange at all. But, Harry, you remember your vision, don't' you? It foreshadowed the beginning of the end, didn't it?"
"Yeah," replied Ron, yawning.
"Well, that was something big for Harry,"
"It sure was, annoying, really," said Harry, taking a bite out of the Chocolate Frog.
"Well...I...um...let's just say that we hope nothing happens, ok?" said Hermione, comfortably.
"That's more like it," said Harry and Ron together.

Then, the trio heard some sound knocking on the window behind them. When Harry got up, it was owl, that's what he saw. A small, very feathery owl, holding out a letter addressed to him…
"Who is it from?" asked Hermione and Ron.
"I don't know, there's no name," answered Harry. Straight away, he opened the letter. It was startlingly short.

"Beware the crows of the Dark Valley, they strike soon!"
As Hermione and Ron heard Harry speak, they stared at each other, misunderstood and confused about the sentence Harry had just read.
"Beware of the crows of the Dark Valley, what is that supposed to mean?" asked Ron, reading the letter again.
"It must've been a type of warning," spoke Hermione, still looking at the letter.
"Whatever it meant, it had to be something dangerous that comes in our way," began Harry slowly, "we must get ready, those crows could attack any time."
"You actually believe that Harry? What if it was only joke?" asked Ron, laughing.
"It wasn't a joke Ron," and Hermione glared at him; she gave him a sort of don't-joke-about-things-like-this look. "It's probably a clue, a hint perhaps, for something that might happen soon at Hogwarts."
"Why crows though? Couldn't there be any other creatures Voldemort would send?" asked Harry, frightened a bit.
Hermione and Ron turned to him, unsure of what to say.
"V….Vold…Voldemort?" asked Ron, and it was the first time he ever spoke his name. Harry and Hermione were impressed with this improvement.
"You mean, you know it's from him?" asked Hermione.
"Of course, which other person would send some threatening messages about our future? His death-eaters? Well, that could be possible, but it'll be on his orders anyway," explained Harry.
"You may be right Harry," Hermione sighed, "but, do be careful, you too Ron, will you? We've still got this year to complete, and next year, till we leave, and I don't wish for any of us to die before those exciting moments of graduation. I do understand, our path that lies before us, is definitely dark, filled with traps and tricks and sabotage..."
"Wow Hermione," began Harry, his glasses falling to his nose.
"What?" she asked.
"You should meet Firenze one day; you have the gift of predicting the future," said Ron, then imitating Professor Trelawney's voice when she used to tell them death lies before them , she's their ex-Divination teacher.
"Ha ha, so funny," began Hermione strictly," look, you shouldn't be joking about this, it's serious."
"We know, just...just cool down," mumbled Harry vaguely.
"Cool down? Allright, but I'm giving you my advice, or as a matter of fact, Mad-Eye's, constant vigilance,"
"Don't you remind me about those times, he used to make us jump out of our seats, remember?" said Ron, laughing, and then stopped when Hermione shot him an angry look.
It was late now, and the common room was practically empty, had not Harry, Hermione, and Ron been there.
"Honestly Hermione, we really value what you think, because you're really our best friend, but, we...we're just asking you.. to not be worried a lot," said Harry quickly.
"Ok," said Hermione, slightly yawning.
"Come on, time for bed," said Harry, yawning loudly.
"I guess you're right," and Ron got up too, climbing up the stairs, and heading to his bed.
"Goodnight Harry," said Hermione, and left. Harry was entirely numb now, after the Quidditch training, in the cold weather. So, finally, he gave up trying to stay awake and complete his Defence Against the Dark Art's lesson plan for the Ravenclaw and Slytherin seventh years, and directly went to bed.