Sirius's son

Lions vs Eagles and a brief reunion

It looked like the end of Ron and Hermione's friendship. Each was so angry with the other that Rigel couldn't see how they'd ever makeup.

Ron was enraged that Hermione had never taken Crookshanks's attempts to eat Scabbersseriously, hadn't bothered to keep a close enough watch on him, and was still trying to pretend that Crookshanks was innocent by suggesting that Ron look for Scabbers under all the boys. Hermione, meanwhile, maintained fiercely that Ron had no proof that Crookshanks had eaten Scabbers, that the ginger hairs might have been there since Christmas, and that Ron had been prejudiced against her cat ever since Crookshanks had landed on Ron's head in the MagicalMenagerie.

Personally, he was surprised that scabbers decided to kick the bucket, for a rat of twelve years, it lived surprisingly long.

Thankfully, Quidditch's practices kept them away from the arguments. The Firebolts were amazing. It was better than he'd ever dreamed. The Firebolt turned with the lightest touch; it seemed to obey his thoughts rather than the grip; it sped across the field at such speed that the stadium turned into a green-and-gray blur.

It was the best practice ever; the team, inspired by the presence of the Firebolts in their midst, performed their best moves faultlessly, and by the time we hit the ground again, Wood didn't have a single criticism to make, which, as George pointed out, was a first.

"I can't see what's going to stop us tomorrow!" Wood grinned. "Not unless - Harry, you've sorted out your dementor problem, haven't you?"

"Yeah," said Harry with a little concern. His Patronus wasn't very strong yet.

"Dont worry, if you need help just yell alright," Rigel said.

"Alright." Harry smiled.

When Harry and Rigel went down to breakfast the next morning with the rest of the boys in his dormitory, all of whom seemed to think the Firebolt deserved a sort of guard of honor. As they entered the great hall, heads turned in the direction of the Firebolts, and there was a good deal of excited muttering. Rigel saw, with enormous satisfaction, that the Slytherin team were all looking thunderstruck.

"Did you see his face?" said Harry gleefully, looking back at Malfoy. "He can't believe it! This is brilliant!"

Wood, too, was basking in the reflected glory of the Firebolts.

"Put it here, boys and lady," he said, laying the brooms in the middle of the table and carefully. People from the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were soon coming over to look. Cedric Diggory came over to congratulate the twins on having acquired such a superb replacement for their nimbus, and Percy's Ravenclaw girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater, asked if she could actually hold one of the Firebolts.

"Now, now, Penny, no sabotage!" said Percy heartily as she examined the Firebolt closely." Penelope and I have got a bet on," he told the team. "Ten Galleons on the outcome of the match!"

Penelope put the Firebolt down again, thanked them, and went back to her table.

"Harry — make sure you win," said Percy, in an urgent whisper. "I haven't got ten Galleons. Yes, I'm coming, Penny!"

And he bustled off to join her in a piece of toast.

"Sure you can manage that broom, Potter?" said a cold, drawling voice.

Draco Malfoy had arrived for a closer look, Crabbe, and Coyle right behind him.

"Yeah, reckon so," said Harry casually.

"Got plenty of special features, hasn't it?" said Malfoy, eyes glittering maliciously. "Shame it doesn't come with a parachute – in case you get too near a dementor."