𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 ✓

𝟏𝟑

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𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑: 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡

As we entered November, the weather turned very cold. The mountains around the school became icy gray and the lake was like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. Hagrid could be seen from the upstairs windows defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves, and enormous beaverskin boots.

 The Quidditch season had begun. On Saturday, Harry would be playing in his first match after weeks of training: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. If Gryffindor won, they would move up into second place in the house championship. Hardly anyone had seen Harry play because Wood had decided that, as their secret weapon, Harry should be kept, well, secret. But the news that he was playing Seeker had leaked out somehow, and Harry didn't know which was worse — people telling him he'd be brilliant or people telling him they'd be running around underneath him holding a mattress.

"You are going to be okay!" I repeated to Harry. "Stop overreacting!" 

 It was really lucky that Harry now had Hermione as a friend. I didn't know how he'd have gotten through all his homework without her, what with all the last-minute Quidditch practice Wood was making them do. She had also lent him Quidditch Through the Ages, which turned out to be a very interesting read, as Harry explained. 

 Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since Harry, Ron, and I had saved her from the mountain troll, and she was much nicer for it. 

The day before Harry's first quidditch match the four of us were out in the freezing courtyard during a break, and Hermione had conjured them up a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar. 

We were standing with our backs to it, getting warm, when Snape crossed the yard. I noticed at once that Snape was limping. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I moved closer together to block the fire from view; we were sure it wouldn't be allowed. 

Unfortunately, something about our guilty faces caught Snape's eye. He limped over. He hadn't seen the fire, but he seemed to be looking for a reason to tell them off anyway. 

"What's that you've got there, Potter?"

It was Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry showed him.

 "Library books are not to be taken outside the school," said Snape. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor." 

"He's just made that rule up," Harry muttered angrily as Snape limped away. "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?" 

"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," said Ron bitterly. 

"Oh, both of you," I said as I slapped my hand against my head. 

The Gryffindor common room was very noisy that evening. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I sat together next to a window. 

Hermione was checking  Ron's Charms homework for him while I checked Harry's.

 She would never let them a copy ("How will you learn?"), but by asking her to read it through, they got the right answers anyway. 

Getting up, Harry told Ron, Hermione, and me he was going to ask Snape if he could have it.

 "Better you than me," Ron and Hermione said together. 

"Ane, wanna come?" Harry asked. 

"Nah, I'll stay." 

Harry hurried off just as the Fawleys came in.