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⋘ 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎... ⋙ chapter six ✷ to catch a snitch
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AS THEY ENTERED NOVEMBER, THE WEATHER TURNED VERY COLD. The mountains around the school became icy gray and the lake 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, meaning Apollo got to see Gryffindor play. They had their first match on Saturday: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. If Gryffindor won, they would move up into second place in the House Championship. Hufflepuff wouldn't be competing yet, so he'd be supporting his friends' house.
Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking the rules since Apollo, Harry and Ron had saved her from the mountain troll.
The day before Harry's first Quidditch match, the four of them were out in the freezing courtyard during break, and Hermione had conjured them up a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar.
They were standing with their backs to it, getting warm, when Snape crossed the yard. Apollo narrowed his eyes as he noticed that the greasy man was limping, curiosity bubbling up inside of him as to what could be the cause to his new gait.
The four friends moved closer together to block the fire from view — they were sure it wouldn't be allowed — and Apollo leant into Harry in what he hoped was an inconspicuous manner to help hide it. He wrapped his arm around him in turn, and the four of them tried to look like they had absolutely nothing to hide.
Unfortunately, however, something about their guilty faces caught Snape's eye, and he quickly 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," Snape said. "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," Ron said bitterly.
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HARRY, APOLLO, RON AND HERMIONE SAT TOGETHER NEXT TO A WINDOW OF THE LIBRARY. Hermione was checking Ron's Charms homework while Apollo was checking Harry's for them. Every time Harry got an answer wrong, Apollo would bump their shoulders and help him correct it, not noticing Harry's cheeks go pink each time.
