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𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐒, with WEASLEY and FOUR on the back of her jersey. The weather had gotten worse steadily as the first Quidditch match of the year drew nearer. Undaunted, the Gryffindor team was training harder than they ever had under the eye of Madam Hooch (due to Harold being fragile).
At their final training session before Saturday's match, Oliver Wood, the handsome Gryffindor captain, gave his team some unpleasant news.
"We're not playing Slytherin!" Oliver told them, looking very angry. "Flint's just been to see me. We're playing Hufflepuff instead."
The entire team including Marina started to shout angrily. Lavender and Pavarti giggled as they stood in the quidditch stands with there "GO MARINA!" signs.
"Flint's excuse is that their Seeker's arm's still injured," said 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 had been strong winds and heavy rain all day, and as Wood spoke, they heard a distant rumble of thunder.
"There's nothing wrong with Malfoy's arm!" said Harry furiously. "He's faking it!"
"What he is a damn humbug that's what he is!" Marina spat.
"I know that, but we can't prove it," said 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, Alicia, and Katie (even Marina) suddenly giggled. The redhead was aware of that Hufflepuff hottie. She also had seen him duel some seventh year, which she found even more impressive.
"What?" said Wood, frowning at this lighthearted behavior.
"He's that tall, good-looking one, isn't he?" said Angelina.
"Strong and silent," said Katie, and they started to giggle again.
"I heard won he duel against some seventh year last term." Marin added.
Making Harry scoff quietly and the twins roll their eyes.
"He's only silent because he's too thick to string two words together," said 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 shouted, 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!"
