Disclaimer: Everything you recognize is J.K. Rowling's except Jamie, Luka, and Ariana.
Chapter 7- Grim Defeat
Okay so that just happened. I can't believe that Sirius Black had gotten into Hogwarts and no one had realized before he was at our tower. So me, and the incredible amount of bad luck that I have seemed to pick up over the past few weeks managed to run into him of all people.
Someone up there must really hate me, I think. After Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had managed to shoo the rest of the Gryffindor's back down the steps the professors turn to me looking expectantly.
"Miss Pendragon please explain what went on here." Dumbledore says softly his gaze troubled as he takes in my shaking form and the torn portrait behind me that used to house the Fat Lady. I open my mouth to try and explain what had gone on with Sirius Black but nothing ends up coming out of my mouth.
I try again, but nothing comes out but a sob. My shoulders heave with the force of my tears. Why can't I stop? I've faced for worse than a mass murderer before. Then again I was never alone when I did so. I always had one of my friends with me. Professor McGonagall rushes forward and wraps her arms around me, pulling me into her robes despite the fact that they're now getting wet.
"Enough Albus you can question her later. Pendragon obviously need the infirmary and Madam Pomfrey to look over her. She's in shock. I daresay anyone would be after stumbling upon Black." McGonagall says starting to guide me away from the group.
"We still have to have the castle searched Minerva. The students are in danger until we can judge that Sirius Black is no longer among us in the castle." Dumbledore tells her seriously.
"I understand Albus but Jamie needs treatment." She says sharply, leading me away from the group. I cling tightly to her robes as she leads us down the familiar corridors that now feel dark and sinister since the safety of the castle has been disturbed.
"I-I…" I stammer trying to piece together a few words.
"Yes Jamie what is it?" Professor McGonagall asks me softly looking into my eyes seriously.
"I…. I want L-Luka." I manage to get out, proud of myself for being able to string those few words together as it is.
"I'm sorry Jamie, but the castle will go into lockdown now trying to find the intruder, and your brother will be safe with the rest of the students just like you will be here." She tells me.
We enter the hospital wing that must be my second home since how many times that I've ended up here in these beds. She pushes open the doors and Madam Pomfrey sticks her head out of her office quizzically. When she sees me though, she jumps to her feet and hurriedly leads us over to a cot.
McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey manage to get me seated on the cot in front of them.
"What happened to her Minerva?" Madam Pomfrey asks her worriedly as she waves her wand over me scanning me for injuries.
"There is an intruder in the castle Poppy… Sirius Black. He was trying to break into Gryffindor tower, but he didn't have the password to get in. I'm afraid that he destroyed the Fat Lady's portrait. Jamie here stumbled across him returning from the feast early." She says in an upset voice.
I've never heard McGonagall sound this worried before. This is seriously not good news. Madame Pomfrey reaches out with a soft handkerchief wiping my eyes and cheeks slowly attempting to clean up the tears.
"There, there Jamie. Everything will be all right now, dry those eyes there's no need for tears anymore you're safe." She whispers to me softly. I look up at the two women standing in front of me sadly.
"I want my brother." I say again attempting to get them to bring Luka to me. I need to see that he's okay, the sight of Sirius Black has hit too close to the appearance of Augustus in my nightmares.
"I'm sorry Jamie. I'm sorry but I have to go and assist in the search. You'll be fine here, Poppy will take great care of you." Professor McGonagall says turning from us and slipping out of the infirmary.
"Okay Pendragon swing your legs up onto the bed and lay down for me. You're in shock and I have a tonic that I'd like to give to you." She instructs. I close my eyes for a moment as a wave of exhaustion rolls over me. The events from the last few weeks are catching up with me now.
I quietly follow every instruction that Madam Pomfrey gives me. I've given up on seeing my brother tonight. I'd also like to see Ariana but I don't focus on it that much. I hope that I will be able to get out of here soon and that they catch Sirius Black for Harry's sake.
I must have fallen asleep for the next thing I know someone's arms are around me holding me tightly to a body. I startle not realizing who's holding me until too late when I reach out and smash my palm into the person's head. Luka jumps with a quick whine releasing me to rub the side of his head.
"L-Luka…" I say not quite believing what I'm seeing here. It can't be my brother can it?
"Jeez Jamie, see if I ever come visit you again." He grumbles crossly adjusting the glasses on his face. I burst up from the best and wrap my brother in my arm, nuzzling my face into his chest, letting my tears break free again. Luka wraps his arms around me securely holding me to him.
"I'm so sorry Jame. I swear that if I ever see that criminal that I will pop him a good one." Luka promises me kissing the side of my head. Luka punching someone, that's a hilarious thought.
"He has an amazingly unassuming right hook." A voice points out. I jump again within my brother's arms and I pull my head away from his jumper to focus on the face of Ariana Dumbledore.
"Ariana…" I ask not quite believing that she's here. The girl in question grins at me softly and flicks a strand of long blond hair out of her face.
"The one and only. You know Jamie you've got to stop scaring us like this. I haven't wanted to see the inside of this room for at least a few more months concerning you." She tells me softly.
"Luka… you punched someone?" I ask him shakily still trying to get my bearings about me from a potion induced sleep. My brother blushes so hard that I can see it in the low light in the room.
"Well I might have given a strong suggestion to someone that it would be unwise to come and visit you at this particular time." Luka says diplomatically while Ariana chuckles shaking her head at my brother.
"Sure Pendragon knocking Harry Potter flat on his back is a lot more than a strong suggestion. You put him in his place." She says. My eyes widen after hearing this new development.
"You punched Harry?" I demand so shocked that my nerves don't take over my speech for the first time in a long while.
"Maybe just a little." Luka says much to the amusement of Ariana who has sat down on the end of my bed resting her hand on my blanketed leg.
"How can you punch someone just a little Luka?" I demand starting to get upset at him. Luka huffs at me and crosses his arms across his chest.
"What should you care anyway. He's being a giant prat to you and he deserved it. Besides its his own ruddy fault for underestimating me." My brother says.
"I don't care even though Harry doesn't seem to want to be my friend, he's still mine. You shouldn't hurt him. Harry is under a lot of stress he doesn't need you two adding onto it." I tell both of them trying to catch both of their eyes. Luka huffs angrily and grumbles under his breath that he'd rather just curse him.
"I wish that they could see what great friends that they have in you Jamie. Not many people would still be loyal after all this time. I'm surprised that your weren't a Hufflepuff." Ariana tells me softly. I manage a small smile at her through my frazzled emotions.
"I would have been thrown out on my ass from your house a long time ago for half the stuff that I pull." I tell her truthfully. Ariana laughs softly again, and we all check to make sure that Madam Pomfrey is still not here.
"So what happened? Have they found him yet—Sirius Black?" I question them unsure if I want to hear the answer. Luka and Ariana share sidelong glances with each other.
"No… he made it out of the castle before the teachers could find him. The ministry and staff is all in an uproar about it. That means that Black was able to sneak into and out of the castle without being detected and found out by the dementors. The Minister wanted to have them search the castle." Luka tells me quietly giving me a look that says to stay quiet.
Seriously those creatures in the castle! That's quite possibly the worst idea that I've ever heard of before. "Don't worry. My grandfather put an end to that idea swiftly. If there is one thing that he would not allow in the castle it would be them. He hates them. He wouldn't allow them to endanger his students again." Ariana explains.
Thank Merlin that Dumbledore still his wits about him. I stifle a yawn on my back of my hand, and Ariana smiles at me fondly while Luka glances at his watch. "We should get back before someone realizes that we're gone. Good thing there's a lot of others to keep the prefects occupied." Luka says casting another meaningful look at Ariana.
"We'll see you in the morning Jamie." My brother tells me giving my hand a squeezing before backing away to the door to make sure that the coast is clear. Ariana turns her worried gaze back on me.
"Are you positive that you're okay Jamie?" She asks me worriedly. I grin at her, and I'm surprised that it actually feels right on my face for the first time in a while.
"I'll be fine. Thanks for coming tonight Ariana. I was wanting to see you." I tell her shyly smiling at her unsurely. A huge grin breaks out on the girl's face in front of me.
"Don't worry about it Jamie it means a lot to me that you wanted to see me. Now don't go getting into any trouble Pendragon I expect to see you tomorrow bright and early, ready to face the day." She tells me leaving me getting up after giving my leg a squeeze.
I watch as the two of them leave with great amusement as it seems as if I've corrupted a Ravenclaw and a Hufflepuff in my tenure at Hogwarts so far. I fall asleep again for the first time in a while with a smile on my face.
The next morning after much worry from Madam Pomfrey I'm released from the hospital wing with a firm warning to not be over exerting myself. That wasn't really a problem for the next few days.
The school talks of nothing but Sirius Black for the next few days. The theories about how he had entered the castle become wilder and wilder; Hannah Abbott, from Hufflepuff, spends much of our next Herbology class telling anyone who'll listen that Black can turn into a flowering shrub, much to Ariana's amusement.
The Fat Lady's ripped canvas has been taken off the wall and replaced with the portrait of Sir Cadogan and his fat gray pony. Nobody is very happy about this. Sir Cadogan spends half his time challenging people to duels, and the rest thinking up ridiculously complicated passwords, which he changes at least twice a day.
"He's a complete lunatic," says Seamus Finnigan angrily to Percy. "Can't we get anyone else?"
"None of the other pictures wanted the job," says Percy. "Frightened of what happened to the Fat Lady. Sir Cadogan was the only one brave enough to volunteer."
I on the other hand have to problem with Sir. Cadogan for he still remembers that I curtsied to him all that time ago so he never gives me a hard time getting into the tower. He blushes like furious though each time that he speaks to me. All of the other Gryffindors have started trying to come and go with me since he never gives me any problems.
The thing that has surprised me the most though is the tearful apology that I had gotten from Hermione a few nights ago, ever since the whole Sirius Black incident. I was in bed late the next night writing another letter to send to a frantic Mrs. Weasley who had heard about my run in with Sirius Black.
She was threatening to pull me out of school and keep me where I was safe along with the rest of her children. Hopefully the letter that I had sent her had done the trick. Well the curtains around my bed were flung open and I jumped startled, for usually I'm not bothered when in the dorm room anymore.
Seeing Hermione standing there in front of me with tears dripping off her red face, was shocking to say the least. As it turns out Hermione had been beating herself up for the past few weeks. Hermione had come to understand my reasoning for not sharing the information about my uncle only a few days after I had told her.
It was just that Harry and Ron were still so upset and they had convinced Hermione that it wasn't in their best interests to forgive me quite yet. It hadn't meant to go on for as long as it had. Hermione felt awful for she had seen the bullying that the Slytherins had put me through and she was guilt ridden. Then she sobbed so hard that I was worried that she was going to be sick.
That was when she apologized profusely for treating me the way that she had, and that she would understand if I never wanted to speak to her again. For a short period I just stared at her dumbly for I wasn't sure what to make of the apology. Before Hermione could leave dejectedly, I grabbed hold of her hand and pulled up on the bed beside me so that I could wrap my arms around her tightly and squeeze the life out of her.
"I forgive you Hermione. All you ever had to do was say sorry. We're all wrong for we handled the situation. Let's just work on putting everything back together." I told her tears streaming down my face as we held onto each other for dear life.
The next morning Hermione and I sat with each other in the Great Hall for breakfast. Luka looked worried at first but I smiled to reassure him that everything was all right. Ariana had of course beamed when she saw the development that had occurred.
Strange things seemed to be going for me that day for after breakfast Ron caught up to the pair of us in the hallway, and had stumbled through a short but nonetheless heartfelt apology. I made him squirm for a moment before telling him the same thing that I had told Hermione, all that he had needed to do was apologize. No more than eight times did I catch Harry looking over at Hermione and me during classes that day.
I'm still not exactly sure how I feel about him. He hasn't tried to approach me unlike the others so I'm not quite sure what to make of him yet. After Transfiguration McGonagall called Harry to the front to attempt to tell him that Sirius Black was after him and that he'd be closely guarded.
Harry has surprised her by telling her that he knew all of this already. Professor McGonagall seems very taken aback. She stares at Harry for a moment or two, then says, "I see! Well, in that case, Potter, you'll understand why I don't think it's a good idea for you to be practicing Quidditch in the evenings. Out on the field with only your team members, it's very exposed, Potter —"
"We've got our first match on Saturday!" says Harry, outraged. "I've got to train, Professor!" Overhearing what's going on while gathering my supplies back into my bag, I go over to the two of them.
"Professor Gryffindor hasn't won the House Cup in the last seven years. Harry is our best chance at doing so. He'll be perfectly safe on the grounds, since the dementors still patrol around there. Besides I don't believe that Sirius Black will attack with that many witnesses. If you're still worried, come and watch our practices yourself." I propose to her on behalf of Harry.
Professor McGonagall considers him intently. I know she is deeply interested in the Gryffindor team's prospects; it had been she, after all, who'd suggested Harry as Seeker in the first place. We wait, holding our breath.
"Hmm . . ." Professor McGonagall stands up and stares out of the window at the Quidditch field, just visible through the rain. "Well put Pendragon commendable speech. Goodness knows, I'd like to see us win the Cup at last . . . but all the same, Potter, Pendragon . . . I'd be happier if a teacher were present. I'll ask Madam Hooch to oversee your training sessions. Harry and I grin widely at Professor McGonagall and thank her.
Once out of the classroom Harry turns to me with a confused, thankful, and slightly ashamed face. "Why did you do that Jamie?" Harry asks me softly looking at the ground. I blow out a breath of air shoving some hair behind my ear.
"Because Harry despite everything that's happened and how bad I feel you're still my friend. Quidditch is a big part of you and me and it won't be the same if you're not there to experience it with me. I would like to start over Harry." I tell him earnestly.
Harry raises his gaze to look at me. "I-I'd like that Jamie… but we can't go back to where we were before." He says. I nod my head.
"Too much has happened for that but we can start over, because for some boneheaded reason I can't seem to stay away from trouble." I joke a smile on my face. Harry grins back at me. "So, you want to tell me what's up with this shiner on your right eye? You look like one half of one of those striped dog creatures that go through people's trash." I tell him starting down the hall.
"A raccoon Jamie, it's a raccoon…" Harry says as we turn around a corner.
The weather worsens steadily as the first Quidditch match draws nearer. Undaunted, the Gryffindor team is training harder than ever under the eye of Madam Hooch. Then, at our final training session before Saturday's match, Oliver Wood gives his team some unwelcome news.
"We're not playing Slytherin!" he tells us, looking very angry. "Flint's just been to see me. We're playing Hufflepuff instead."
"Why?" choruses the rest of the team.
"Flint's excuse is that their Seeker's arm's still injured," explains Wood, grinding his teeth furiously. "But it's obvious why they're doing it. Don't want to play in this weather. Think it'll damage their chances. . . ."
There has been strong winds and heavy rain all day, and as Wood speaks, we hear a distant rumble of thunder. Great this is just perfect. "There's nothing wrong with Malfoy's arm!" says Harry furiously. "He's faking it!"
"That's right!" I chime in, and Harry and I share a small smile. We're getting there slowly but surely.
"I know that, but we can't prove it," says Wood bitterly. "And we've been practicing all those moves assuming we're playing Slytherin, and instead it's Hufflepuff, and their style's quite different. They've got a new Captain and Seeker, Cedric Diggory —"
Angelina and Katie suddenly giggle, and I roll my eyes at them fondly. All they've been talking about recently is Cedric, and since I fly with them I hear way too much about him.
"What?" says Wood, frowning at this lighthearted behavior.
"He's that tall, good-looking one, isn't he?" says Angelina.
"Strong and silent," says Katie, and they start to giggle again.
"He's only silent because he's too thick to string two words together," snaps Fred impatiently. "I don't know why you're worried, Oliver, Hufflepuff is a pushover. Last time we played them, Harry caught the Snitch in about five minutes, remember?"
"We were playing in completely different conditions!" Wood shouts, his eyes bulging slightly. "Diggory's put a very strong side together! He's an excellent Seeker! I was afraid you'd take it like this! We mustn't relax! We must keep our focus! Slytherin is trying to wrong-foot us! We must win!" Great here goes dictator Oliver again.
I was wondering when we'd see him again. "Oliver, calm down!" says Fred, looking slightly alarmed. "We're taking Hufflepuff very seriously. Seriously."
The day before the match, the winds reach howling point and the rain falls harder than ever. So not looking forward to playing in this weather. It is so dark inside the corridors and classrooms that extra torches and lanterns are lit. The Slytherin team is looking very smug indeed, and none more so than Malfoy.
"Ah, if only my arm was feeling a bit better!" he sighs as the gale outside pounds the windows. Oh what I wouldn't give to drown that weasel outside. I've been feeling better and back to my old self slowly, and that include the crowd favorite past time of Malfoy bashing.
Harry and I are late for Defense Against the Dark Arts since Oliver is still giving us last minute strategies as we're walking to class. "Sorry we're late, Professor Lupin, I —"
But it isn't Professor Lupin who looks up at us from the teacher's desk; it is Snape.
"This lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter, Pendragon so I think we'll make it ten points from Gryffindor. Sit down."
But Harry and I don't move. "Where's Professor Lupin?" I ask.
"He says he is feeling too ill to teach today," says Snape with a twisted smile. "I believe I told you to sit down?" I go over and sink down into a seat next to Ron.
But Harry stays where he is. "What's wrong with him?"
Snape's black eyes glitter.
"Nothing life-threatening," he says, looking as though he wishes it were. "Five more points from Gryffindor, and if I have to ask you to sit down again, it will be fifty."
Harry walks slowly to his seat and sits down. Snape looks around at the class. "As I was saying before Potter and Pendragon interrupted, Professor Lupin has not left any record of the topics you have covered so far —"
"Please, sir, we've done boggarts, Red Caps, kappas, and grindylows," says Hermione quickly, "and we're just about to start —"
"Be quiet," says Snape coldly. "I did not ask for information. I was merely commenting on Professor Lupin's lack of organization." Great this is going to be a joy of a class for sure.
"He's the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had," says Dean Thomas boldly, and there is a murmur of agreement from the rest of the class. Snape looks more menacing than ever.
"You are easily satisfied. Lupin is hardly overtaxing you — I would expect first years to be able to deal with Red Caps and grindylows. Today we shall discuss —"
I watch him flick through the textbook, to the very back chapter, which he must know we haven't covered.
"— werewolves," says Snape.
"But, sir," says Hermione, seemingly unable to restrain herself, "we're not supposed to do werewolves yet, we're due to start hinkypunks —"
"Miss Granger," says Snape in a voice of deadly calm, "I was under the impression that I am teaching this lesson, not you. And I am telling you all to turn to page 394." He glances around again. "All of you! Now!" I grit my teeth to stop from saying something that I would regret later.
With many bitter sidelong looks and some sullen muttering, the class opens our books.
"Which of you can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf?" asks Snape.
Everyone sits in motionless silence; everyone except Hermione, whose hand, as it so often does, has shot straight into the air.
"Anyone?" Snape says, ignoring Hermione. His twisted smile is back, never a good sign. "Are you telling me that Professor Lupin hasn't even taught you the basic distinction between —"
"We told you," says Parvati suddenly, "we haven't got as far as werewolves yet, we're still on —"
"Silence!" snarls Snape. "Well, well, well, I never thought I'd meet a third-year class who wouldn't even recognize a werewolf when they saw one. I shall make a point of informing Professor Dumbledore how very behind you all are. . . ."
"Please, sir," says Hermione, whose hand is still in the air, "the werewolf differs from the true wolf in several small ways. The snout of the werewolf —"
"That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger," says Snape coolly. "Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all."
I shoot up from my chair before I can stop myself. "Sir, you are a professor, and as such you are supposed to be encouraging your students to participate in your class and learn from you. She knows the answer and you're just punishing her because you do not like that." I tell him scathingly.
"That's it Pendragon! Thirty points from Gryffindor for your insolence and disrespect! To the Headmaster's office with you!" Snape roars flicking his wand at the door and it bangs open, making the class jump in shock. Still furious, I gather up my papers muttering under my breath about what a giant git that Snape is. Ron has gotten a detention for defending Hermione and me.
I look up and catch Hermione's teary-eyed look of thanks, as I make my way out of the classroom, and up to the Headmaster's office. The stone eagle moves aside as I approach, so I hurry up and jump on a step so that it can take me most of the way up to Dumbledore's office.
When it rumbles to a stop I hop up the last few steps to his office. I raise my hand to knock on the oak door— "Come in." Dumbledore's voice sounds from inside the office. I push the door open and slowly walk into his office. I'm a little nervous for I've never been in here before when I was in trouble. Usually it was for some heroic deed or when Ariana, Luka, and I were little and visiting the castle.
Dumbledore sits behind his desk stroking the beak of my personal savior Fawkes the phoenix. Dumbledore looks up from Fawkes and takes in my appearance with knowing eyes. "Ah Jamie, come in have a seat." He says gesturing to the plump chairs in front of his desk with a wave of his hand.
I slowly sink down into one of them while gripping the strap of my rucksack so tightly in my hands that my knuckles whiten. "Do you mind explaining to me why you're here?" He asks me. I bite down on my lower lip.
"You already know sir." I tell him softly. Dumbledore chuckles softly from him position in front of me and leans on his desk so that he's slightly closer to me.
"I do. We should keep my mystical ways to ourselves though. Now Severus sent you to me because of your outburst in class Jamie. He seems to think that you were lecturing him on how to be a better professor." Dumbledore says solemnly.
"Not a better professor, just a fair one. He called Hermione an insufferable know it all and she cried." I tell him the vehemence in my voice going down as I finish my thought. Dumbledore stares at me for a few seconds then chuckles softly at me.
"Jamie it has been a long time since someone has challenged one of my teacher's on their style, and it is rather refreshing. Severus should have never said that to Miss Granger, granted you should not have disrupted his class and speak ill of him. I believe that this manner can be resolved quite easily." He says.
"Only ten points will be taken away from Gryffindor, and Severus will be dealt with on how he speaks to his students who are participating in lessons. I do believe that you have studying to get to?" He tells me with a twinkle in his eye. A grin spreads across my face, and I nod my head.
"Thank you professor." I tell him. I make it to the door before he calls after me.
"Miss Pendragon? A word for the wise, choose your battles wisely." Dumbledore tells me, and with a smile I exit his office.
The next morning I wake to the thundering cacophony that is the storm outside my window, perfect weather for playing a game of Quidditch. Yeah right! Grumbling I get out of bed and stagger over to my trunk to get changed for the day. I stay as quiet as possible as to not wake up the other girls, though I'm not sure how they can sleep when the wind is howling like that.
The noise of the storm is even louder in the common room. I know better than to think the match would be canceled; Quidditch matches aren't called off for trifles like thunderstorms. I run into Harry down in the common room. This is the first time that we've really been alone since making up. He's sitting in front of the fire staring off into the flames.
"Hey Harry what's up?" I ask him. Harry startles and turns his gaze to look at me. He gives me a smile and I sit down next to him on the couch.
"I… I'm a little worried about flying against Cedric Diggory especially in this weather." He admits to me. I sigh and shake my head at Harry.
"You've gone up against Voldemort, a giant ass basilisk, Aragog the eight legged nightmare, and have flown on a hippogriff. If there is anything you can do Harry it is fly on your broom in a thunderstorm." I say positively. Harry smiles at me.
"You know in all of those things I've had you at my side." He says softly flicking his gaze back to the fire uncertainly. I feel a little anxious about this answer but things have to give on both sides for things to get back to normal around here.
"And you'll have me there today as well." I reply. Harry's grin reaches his eyes this time. Harry and I head through the portrait and down to breakfast together talking over the strategy that Wood had designed for us to play in.
We revive a bit over a large bowl of porridge, and by the time we've started on toast, the rest of the team has turned up.
"It's going to be a tough one," says Wood, who isn't eating anything.
"Stop worrying, Oliver," says Katie soothingly, "we don't mind a bit of rain."
But it is considerably more than a bit of rain. Such is the popularity of Quidditch that the whole school turns out to watch the match as usual, but they run down the lawns toward the Quidditch field, heads bowed against the ferocious wind, umbrellas being whipped out of their hands as they go. Just before we enter the locker room, Harry and I see Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, laughing and pointing at us from under an enormous umbrella on their way to the stadium.
The team changes into our scarlet robes and waits for Wood's usual pre-match pep talk, but it doesn't come. He tries to speak several times, makes an odd gulping noise, then shakes his head hopelessly and beckons us to follow him.
The wind is so strong that we stagger sideways as we walk out onto the field. If the crowd is cheering, we can't hear it over the fresh rolls of thunder. This is probably the worst conditions that I've ever played Quidditch in in my life!
The Hufflepuffs are approaching from the opposite side of the field, wearing canary-yellow robes. The Captains walk up to each other and shake hands; Diggory smiles at Wood but Wood now looks as though he has lockjaw and merely nods. I see Madam Hooch's mouth form the words, "Mount your brooms." I pull my right foot out of the mud with a squelch and swing it over my Nimbus Two Thousand. Madam Hooch puts her whistle to her lips and gives it a blast that sounds shrill and distant — we are off.
Too say that this game is like a battle field in a giant shower is an understatement. Angelina manages to get the quaffle but we can barely see through the rain enough to see if the shape in front of us is our teammate or a rouge bludger coming at us. The quaffle is slippery as I learn when I manage to catch the quaffle from a fumble by a Hufflepuff chaser. By some miracle I manage to find the Hufflepuff hoops.
The keeper didn't even have a chance. I scored for Gryffindor to put some points up on the board. With the first flash of lightning comes the sound of Madam Hooch's whistle; I can just see the outline of Wood through the thick rain, gesturing us to the ground. The whole team splashes down into the mud.
"I called for time-out!" Wood roars at his team. "Come on, under here —"
We huddle at the edge of the field under a large umbrella; Harry takes off his glasses and wipes them hurriedly on his robes.
"What's the score?"
"We're fifty points up," says Wood, "but unless we get the Snitch soon, we'll be playing into the night."
"I've got no chance with these on," Harry says exasperatedly, waving his glasses. Great just what we need in this game a blind seeker, and that's a dangerous thing as well.
At that very moment, Hermione appears at his shoulder; she is holding her cloak over her head and is, inexplicably, beaming.
"I've had an idea, Harry! Give me your glasses, quick!" He hands them to her, and as the team watches in amazement, Hermione taps them with her wand and says, "Impervius!"
"There!" she says, handing them back to Harry. "They'll repel water!" Wood looks as though he could kiss her.
"Brilliant!" he called hoarsely after her as she disappeared into the crowd. "Okay, team, let's go for it!"
The game resumes and I'm back out there to my life and death game of water dodge a bludger. We zoom back and forth cutting, dodging, catching, blundering, and scoring tiring ourselves out waiting for the snitch to be caught all ready so that we can go back to the castle and get warm and dry.
Suddenly I hear Wood yell for Harry to look behind him. Thank god, maybe this game can be finally over then! Suddenly the cold air around us gets freezing, I make the mistake of quickly glancing up. At least a hundred dementors, their hidden faces pointing up at Harry, are standing beneath him.
This is so not going to end well. "HARRY!" I scream at the top of my voice. It doesn't do any good. I watch as Harry slips off of his broom, and starts hurdling to the ground. Luckily Dumbledore casts a spell, and a strong blue light catches him near the ground and softly lays him down.
Nobody cheers even though Cedric Diggory catches the snitch winning the game for Hufflepuff.
When Harry finally opens his eyes in the infirmary he is greeted by the sight of the Gryffindor Quidditch team splattered with mud from head to toe, gathered around his bed, and Ron and Hermione looks as though they've gotten into a fight with a swimming pool.
"Harry!" said Fred, who looks extremely white underneath the mud. "How're you feeling?"
"Are you all right Harry?" I ask worriedly attempting to stop the mud from my forehead from dripping down into my eye.
"What happened?" he says, sitting up so suddenly we all gasp.
"You fell off," says Fred. "Must've been — what — fifty feet?"
"We thought you'd died," says Katie, who is shaking. Hermione makes a small, squeaky noise. Her eyes are extremely bloodshot.
"But the match," says Harry. "What happened? Are we doing a replay?" I bite down on my lower lip nervously but immediately spit for there's mud there as well. I really need to go and take a shower soon.
No one says anything. The horrible truth sinks into Harry like a stone. "We didn't — lose?"
"Diggory got the Snitch," says George. "Just after you fell. He didn't realize what had happened. When he looked back and saw you on the ground, he tried to call it off. Wanted a rematch. But they won fair and square . . . even Wood admits it."
"Where is Wood?" asks Harry, suddenly realizing he isn't there.
"Still in the showers," says Fred. "We think he's trying to drown himself." Harry puts his face to his knees, his hands gripping his hair. Fred grabs his shoulder and shakes it roughly. "C'mon, Harry, you've never missed the Snitch before."
"There has to be one time you didn't get it," says George.
"It's not over yet," says Fred. "We lost by a hundred points, right? So if Hufflepuff loses to Ravenclaw and we beat Ravenclaw and Slytherin . . ."
"Hufflepuff'll have to lose by at least two hundred points," counters George.
"But if they beat Ravenclaw . . ."
"No way, Ravenclaw is too good. But if Slytherin loses against Hufflepuff . . ."
"It all depends on the points — a margin of a hundred either way —"
After ten minutes or so, Madam Pomfrey comes over to tell the team to leave Harry in peace.
"We'll come and see you later," Fred tells him. "Don't beat yourself up, Harry, you're still the best Seeker we've ever had."
The team troops out, trailing mud behind them. Madam Pomfrey shuts the door behind them, looking disapproving. Ron, Hermione, and I move nearer to Harry's bed. I'm allowed to stay since I'm a friend, but a shower sound extraordinary at the moment.
"Dumbledore was really angry," Hermione says in a quaking voice. "I've never seen him like that before. He ran onto the field as you fell, waved his wand, and you sort of slowed down before you hit the ground. Then he whirled his wand at the dementors. Shot silver stuff at them. They left the stadium right away. . . . He was furious they'd come onto the grounds. We heard him —"
"Then he magicked you onto a stretcher," says Ron. "And walked up to school with you floating on it. Everyone thought you were . . ." I shiver thinking about what had happened or maybe it's just from the cold settling into my bones.
"Did someone get my Nimbus?" Harry asks us. Ron, Hermione, and I look quickly at each other.
"Er —" Ron says.
"What?" says Harry, looking from one to the other.
"Well . . . when you fell off, it got blown away," says Hermione hesitantly.
"And?"
"And it hit — it hit — oh, Harry — it hit the Whomping Willow." I tell him not liking having to be the one to tell him that his prize broom is now more suitable for some fairly large toothpicks.
"Professor Flitwick brought it back just before you came around," says Hermione in a very small voice.
Slowly, she reaches down for a bag at her feet, turns it upside down, and tips a dozen bits of splintered wood and twigs onto the bed, the only remains of Harry's faithful, finally beaten broomstick, after that Harry asks for us to leave him alone, and I'm finally able to get into my glorious shower, after making sure that he's okay. It's safe to say that I sleep like the dead that night.