For the next few weeks, Harry, Hermione, and Ron kept recalling the incident of the attack of the crows. It was really painful, seeing clearly in mind the burning of the grounds at Hogwarts, the crow that landed on Professor McGonagall's head, the crows that turned into great big cobras, the big crows that threatened them and warned them about an attack that will happen soon...It was just...frightening.
On the other hand, their lessons seemed to be quite dull. Snape carried on teaching them about a very difficult potion that is used to make someone hyper. It was a miracle that Neville succeeded in mixing the ingredients. Three drops of the potion made his toad, Trevor, worse than hyper. He was jumping all over the class, ruining some potions and ingredients that were placed in Snape's private cupboard. Snape was exhausted! Once he set his eye on Trevor, the toad already would've been in another place. Luckily though, Hermione froze him right in time. Harry and Ron were amazed. Snape, the Potions' master didn't do it!

Another thing is that during these two weeks or so, the Gryffindor Quidditch team kept on training. Especially, keeper training. Ron was a complete failure at the beginning, although he saved goals scored by other teams last year, but anyway, later on, he made a big improvement. Harry, the captain, was pleased with everyone's performance and hard work.
Hermione has learnt a few new moves from Quidditch throughout the Ages, which had an awfully great use in the training. Neville read several pages from the book too, so in turn, he improved on his chase techniques, and so did Ginny.
Parvati and Lavender learned more about vigilance and looking around them. The two girls were now mastering the movements of the bats. Circular, up and down, left and right, diagonal, and any way the bat moved to block Bludgers.

One morning, November 2nd, the trio gathered the students in the Great Hall for breakfast.
"Hey Harry," began Ron, holding the Daily Prophet "listen to this."
Harry turned his head to listen more carefully.
"What is it?" asked Hermione, catching a glimpse of a picture on the front page.
"The drum player in the Weird Sisters died," claimed Ron.
Although the Weird Sisters were a very minor topic to school work and attacks, it was quite shocking to hear such news. Everybody knew the pleasant music they played during concerts, specifically the Yule Ball that took place two years ago.
"Pity," said Harry, frowning.
"Yeah," said Ron, switching to the next page, "I have always liked that brilliant drum player."
The silence of the students that were eating, was broken by the hooting of many owls. Mail time!
There was a black crow among the tremendous amount of owls, heading toward Harry, which hadn't noticed it.
"Harry, watch your head!" Hermione warned Harry.
Immediately, a parcel dropped on Harry's head.
"Thanks for the warning," declared Harry.
"You're welcome," said Hermione, moving her plate away.
"So, who's it from?" interrupted Ron.
Harry was looking around for a name on the outside, but he didn't find any.
Hermione and Ron both raised their eyebrows. Who was it from?

Slowly, Harry opened the parcel.
"What the..."began Harry, coughing. There was a puff of smoke rising from inside. It rose high in the air, and everybody seemed to be attracted to it. And then, it took the form of a snake. A long green snake, with red eyes, as long as sixty feet or more.
Hermione shrieked, and grabbed Harry's hand as though she saw someone dead. Ron panicked too.
Over by the side of the teachers' table, Professor Dumbledore stood up, staring closely at the snake in the air, looking very curious. He silenced the whole area with a sharp look from his eyes, got out of his seat, and moved towards Harry and his friends.
Suddenly, Harry had a flashback. He remembered now. He remembered who the great big snake was. It was Nagini, the scary horrifying snake that belonged to none other than Lord Voldemort. The hair on his hands stood straight up, he was shaking like mad. No one knew the true fear of Nagini appearing more than he did. Hermione was clutching his hand so hard, not letting go.
Slowly, the snake approached Harry, Hermione, and Ron. It looked very real. It hissed for a moment, and then went on.
No one understood what the snake made up of smoke said, no one, except Harry. For being a Parselmouth, he understood every word the snake hissed. His eyes almost popped out now. Hermione was crying, her tears falling into Harry's lap. What did the snake say?
After that, the snake backed away. It opened its mouth, to do something. However, Dumbledore moved quickly and muttered 'Deletrius'. The smoke vanished at those words, and everybody was calm again, although still discussing the matter.
Hermione and Ron turned their heads to Harry, who was still in shock.
"Harry? Harry!" Hermione was slapping him on the face, as though he was dreaming.
"What? W...What? Who.." began Harry.
"Are you allright?" asked Ron.
"Yeah...I'm...I'm fine," answered Harry, taking a deep breath.
Professor Dumbledore came along.
"Are you ok Harry?" he asked quietly.
"Yes," replied Harry at once.
"Are you sure?" asked Dumbledore again, looking uncertain about Harry's answer. "Here, have a chocolate."
Harry politely took the chocolate. He swallowed it directly, without even chewing it.
"Harry," Dumbledore lowered his voice, "what did the snake say?"
Hermione and Ron paid more close attention.
Harry was pale when Dumbledore mentioned Nagini. A look of fright and shock appeared fleetingly on his face, when at last, he weakly spoke.
"Danger," he went on, "at the next Quidditch match...an...an attack...horrible...shrieks...panicking...all over the...the stadium."
Harry was shaking. Although he was always known for being brave, he wasn't now. Perhaps this intense fright of Voldemort has taken away his courage. This matter has gone between them for more than five years now. It had to end. No matter what happened, it had to...
"Is that all?" asked Dumbledore again, raising his half-moon spectacles from his nose.
"Yes...that's all I can remember," answered Harry, shooting Hermione and Ron a worried anxious look.
"Very well then. I have nothing to say but...be careful Harry. I may not know what the danger Nagini was referring to, but I'm sure that it'll be great as it has always been. Of course, how couldn't it be, if it wasn't from Lord Voldemort? Good luck on your match tomorrow Harry,"
Dumbledore backed away, moving towards the front of the Great Hall.
"Harry? What's going to happen?" queried Ron. "I don't understand."
"Ron," began Hermione sharply, "can't you see? Harry said that there's going to be another attack, worse than the crows, tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Ron swallowed a lump.
"I wonder," began Harry slowly, "why do I keep getting these letters?"
"I don't know Harry, but...maybe they always been warnings...to things that might happen in the future," explained Hermione earnestly.
Harry nodded slowly. He was quiet for a moment.
"When will this end?" he asked, in a mysterious kind of voice.
"What?" asked Ron, looking mystified and confused.
"This whole war? When is it going to end? When are we going to be living in peace again? When would every wizard and witch live happily, without the fear of evil? When? When?" teas were falling from is eyes. Harry has never been this sad before. It's true, he faced trouble with Voldemort no one ever did, even adults.
"Soon Harry," began Hermione, wiping off a tear on his cheek with a handkerchief, "soon."

Finally, the dawn of November third emerged behind the horizon, and woke Harry up. They had their match first thing after breakfast. Harry was so anxious about it. He has trained himself and the rest of the team for more than two weeks, but still, he had a feeling that it wasn't enough. Nevertheless, he wasn't going to back away now. Being a captain, was something new to him. He was responsible for every player's move. He was the one chosen to lead them to the way of success.

"Good morning Hermione, ready for the match?" Harry has just joined Hermione for breakfast, who was eating too little.
"Good morning, where's Ron?" replied Hermione, smiling.
"He's on his way here," began Harry," what are you so happy about?"
"Nothing...it's just that this is going to be the first ever match I play in," she went on, "I mean, this is not new to you, but it is for me. So, I'm very keen for the match to begin."
Harry raised his eyebrows.
"Whoa, Hermione. Cool down, or you'll get a heart attack!"
They were both chuckling now. Moments later, someone sat on the bench, joining them for breakfast.
"Morning," he began, pouring milk into his goblet.
"Hi," muttered the two.
"So, ready for the match?" he asked.
"Yes, of course," replied Harry, giving Ron a wink.

Half an hour later, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Neville, Parvati, and Lavender stepped out of the changing rooms, heading to the Quidditch pitch. Each one of them holding their broomstick horizontally, looking proud of themselves. It was a bit sunny today, which wasn't very good to the players' sight. Anyway, if they could play in the middle of rain, a little bit of light wouldn't do much harm.
"Mount your brooms," instructed Harry. Obediently, his teammates stepped on their brooms, getting ready to soar in the air.
Seconds later, the gates opened, and...they were off!
A tremendous amount of audience was staring at the seven greens and seven reds circling around the Quidditch pitch, each one taking position.
Harry had the highest position possible, so that he could fly around every now and then to search for the golden snitch.
Most unfortunately, Lee Jordan, the usual commentator, left Hogwarts last year, with Fred and George Weasley. This year, however, someone younger took his place. Someone who thought of Harry as being a hero. Someone who was extremely delighted to help Harry in anyway. It was...
"Oh, Mr. Creevey, would you start the welcoming speech please?" asked Professor McGonagall, who was sitting straight up in the top box.
"Of course Professor," replied Colin Creevey, a Gryffindor fifth year, "everyone welcome to the first exciting match of the year. Today, it's Gryffindor vs. Slytherin."
Cheers came along all the boxes that occupied Slytherin students. So did the cheers from Gryffindor.
Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Neville were waving at their friends, twenty five feet below.
Madam hooch stepped into the middle of the pitch, dragging the old wooden box, in which the two Bludgers, the Quaffle, and the golden snitch rested.
"Captains, shake hands," she yelled.
Harry held Malfoy's hand; Malfoy has been made captain this year. Malfoy seemed to be crushing Harry's hand, but he quickly let go, with a smirk on his face.
"The players are ready to begin," stated Colin, his voice echoing all over the pitch.
"Madam Hooch releases the Quaffle, and the game starts!"
Slytherin chasers passed the Quaffle to each other, doing some tricks Harry never saw before.
"Catch!" Tom Carlos threw the Quaffle high up in the air, to land on Robert Zagger's right hand. He had a fairly firm strong grip on it. Ron, who was hovering in front of the middle hoop, came to his sight. Ron got ready, the side of his right eye concentrating on the right hoop, which Zagger was most obvious to be heading to.
He raised his arm...
"I'll take that," it was Hermione. Cleverly as always, she grabbed the Quaffle, and snatched it right out of Zagger's fist. She was zooming in the air with the help of her magnificent Firebolt.
"Excellent move done by Gryffindor chaser, Hermione Granger!" commentated Colin. The Gryffindors were clapping louder than ever, whistling, cheering, and screaming.
"Neville, catch!" shouted Hermione, and the Quaffle found its way to Neville. Quickly, without a bit of thinking, Neville descended. The wind was blowing into his face. He was surrounded by the three Slytherin chasers.
"I'd like to see how the fool would act now," came the cold voice of Draco Malfoy, who was flying near Harry.
Neville was in trouble. He really needed to get out of the Slytherin chasers' trap, and pass the Quaffle to someone else, but he had no other choice than to try to score by himself.
He was nearing the Slytherin's hoops now, flying closer. The keeper seemed to be jeering at Neville, for being a bit clumsy. However, Neville has proven that he had some intelligence in his forgetful brain. He raised his arm slowly, his eyes staring at the low left hoop. Luckily, the keeper caught this look, and at once, raced time to the left hoop.
Neville grinned at him. Smartly, he had a plan that would distract the keeper's mind. Instead of scoring in the low left hoop, he cunningly scored in the high middle hoop. The keeper was so furious with Neville that he wanted to strangle him to death.
"GOAL! TEN POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR!" roared Colin. Neville backed away from the Slytherin hoops, joining his teammates.
"Well done!" complimented Ginny and Hermione.
"Nice work Neville!" shouted Harry, who was seventeen feet above them, giving him a thumbs up. Neville smiled back, and took his position again.
Malfoy had a wicked grin on his face, disapproving Neville's fantastic score.
For the next twenty minutes or so, Hermione scored ten more times, with the help of Neville and Ginny. She made every Gryffindor congratulate her and cheer from down below her. Her way of steering Harry's old Firebolt was stunning, and a bit good for a beginner.
Suddenly, Harry blinked a bit, doubting whether he saw the snitch or not. And...yes...he did! The golden snitch finally came into his view!
The Firebolt X6 was zooming through the air, passing between players, avoiding Bludgers from either sides. Harry kept his eyes focusing on the snitch's movement. Unfortunately, Malfoy was right behind him. He seemed to be too close. Harry and Malfoy were on the sides of each other now. Malfoy stretched his left hand to have a strong grip on Harry's broomstick; however, Harry moved quickly away, turning around, to take the path of the fast snitch.
"Come on," whispered Hermione, who was hoping for Harry to catch the snitch right away.
"HARRY POTTER IS RIGHT BEHIND THE SNITCH! LOOK AT HIM GO!" yelled Colin, his smile widening.
"Mr. Creevey, please, lower your voice, my eardrum will soon be exploding!" claimed Professor McGonagall.
Just moments later, Harry did it. He caught the snitch! After minutes of circling around the pitch following it, with Malfoy sticking to him.
Everybody was screaming, clapping, and whistling. Dean and Seamus, Harry's fellow sixth years, were dancing all over the box.
Applause came from the teachers' boxes too. Professor Dumbledore gave Harry a thumbs up, and a wink, when suddenly...
A huge shadow covered the stadium, blocking the sun's light. It was a giant!
"This is not the right time," shrieked Ron.
" Oh no," muttered Hermione softly.
The giant, standing twenty eight feet or so from the ground, raised his club (bat), and smashed the wooden stands of the Quidditch pitch, that were decorated with the four houses' symbols. Teachers were running down the stairs, trying to stop the giant.
It was too late! The giant was already in the pitch, heading towards the Slytherins and Gryffindors that were trapped in the boxes.
He raised his club high in the air, and hit the wooden box. Some students fell to the ground, and some were hanging on to the giant's club, screaming and begging for help. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were sticking together like jigsaw pieces.
"We have to do something!" began Hermione.
"We've got to save them!" shouted Ron, looking apprehensive.
Harry was silent for moment, looking thoughtful.
"This was Nagini's warning," he said, catching his breath, "she was right."
"Harry, we don't care whether she was right or wrong. What are we going to do now?" stated Hermione strictly.
"Follow me," said Harry. He actually had a plan in mind.
The three soared through the air, as though breaking the sound barrier. The giant was stepping on the ground strongly, creating a violent earthquake that made some of the stands fall down. Teachers summoned students from the Quidditch pitch, directing them to the castle. Only Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick, and Snape were left in the pitch.
At last, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were hovering in the air ten meters away from the giant's right ear.
"Hermione!" started Harry. "Levitate his club, quick!"
"Wingardium Leviosa!" It happened in fractions of seconds. The giant's club flew out of his humungous hand, rising slowly in the air. It still had some Slytherins on it; they were shouting nervously for help.
"Quick, Ron, summon them while I deal with the giant!" said Harry.
Ron nodded, and said "Accio!"
The Slytherins were zooming throughout the air.
"Locomoter students!" said Hermione, and the Slytherins were flying now, following Hermione and Ron to the ground. Harry was left alone in the air, on his broom, facing the giant single-handed.
The giant's big eyes glared at Harry, and then, the giant raised both hands, to squash Harry like a fly. Luckily, Harry flew up just in time. Then, he kept circling around the giant for a long time. He went everywhere opened to him. In the giant's filthy clothes, around his neck, between his legs, over his head...At last, the giant seemed to have been dizzy at last. It lost its balance, and THUD! It fell to the floor. Harry stared at the resting giant from above, looking impressed with his work. He flew down.
"Good work Harry," complimented Dumbledore, "how are you feeling?"
"Fine," answered Harry sarcastically," but it was terrible, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, really scary," answered Ron, breathing deeply.
"Shocking! A fully-grown giant! Here, at Hogwarts!" muttered McGonagall. At once, she transfigured the great big giant into a small white bunny rabbit. He hopped away.
"Now now Minerva, we've been through trouble worse than this before," said Dumbledore, calming her down.
"I know Albus, but..."
"Relax, Professor," said Hermione, patting McGonagall on the shoulder.
She was silenced by Hermione, and then set a pitiful look at the ruined pitch.
"Just look at it, all destroyed, ruined, broken..." began McGonagall.
"We're going to fix it in no time Minerva," said Dumbledore, sneezing after a bee passed by his nose.
"Well, I think you three should be going to class now," smiled Dumbledore.
"Yes Professor," replied Hermione, pulling Harry and Ron from their sleeves.
"So, Nagini's warning was useful," started Hermione.
"Of course, it was V...Vold…Voldemort who sent her, right?" questioned Ron.
"Who else Ron?" answered Harry, "the Dursleys?"
Hermione laughed at them.
"You were awesome by the way," complimented Hermione, smiling at Harry," that was an excellent move you used to trick Malfoy."
Harry smiled back at her.
" Thanks! You were brilliant too," he started, blushing, "clever move when you grabbed the Quaffle from Zagger. You too Ron, you were ready for him."
"Aah..don't mention it," said Ron, stretching.
"Thanks," stated Hermione. She wrapped her arms around the two, and they walked to the gates. Fleetingly, they raised their eyebrows, but then, they smiled back.