The school talked of nothing but Sirius Black for the next few days. The theories about how he had entered the castle became wilder and wilder; Hannah Abbott, from Hufflepuff, spent much of their next Herbology class telling anyone who'd listen that Black could turn into a flowering shrub. The Fat Lady's ripped canvas had been taken off the wall and Replaced with the portrait of Sir Cadogan and his fat gray pony. Nobody was very happy about this. Sir Cadogan spent half his time challenging people to duels, and the rest thinking up ridiculously complicated passwords, which he changed at least twice a day. Ginny wouldn't stop complaining about him. And poor Neville couldn't keep the password straight and spent many nights out side of the common room next to the portrait.
"He's a complete lunatic," said Seamus Finnigan angrily to Percy one morning. "Can't we get anyone else?" Percy always answered the questions the same.
"None of the other pictures wanted the job," Percy would say. "Frightened of what happened to the Fat Lady. Sir Cadogan was the only one brave enough to volunteer." I however was more worried about the upcoming quidditch match. It was supposedly against Gryffindor. But Draco had been hunting it would be against Ravenclaw. I was almost positive that he was up to something. Most likely changing who were playing against just like he had told me. I honestly didn't think he would do it but he did. I started to notice that Harry was now followed by archers everywhere and was constantly called to the office of Professor McGonagall. It also seemed like Professor Lupin was Harry's new best friend. I had caught them many times talking like friends outside of school. The weather worsened steadily as the first Quidditch match drew nearer.
I was just about to start getting ready for the quidditch game when Draco came running up to me. He had usual smirk upon his face.
"Guess what?" He said excitedly "I got our quidditch game changes to next week because of my arm! That way we get to play a easier team and without this horrid weather!" He said smiling triumphantly. I couldn't help but smile along to. This was great. I easy team without horrible weather was the best thing for a match. I looked over at the Gryffindor quidditch team. They looked furious. Oliver looked like he could've murdered Flint when he told them. There had been strong winds and heavy rain all day, and as Harry shouted in protest, we heard a distant rumble of thunder.
"There's nothing wrong with Malfoy's arm!" said Harry furiously. "He's faking it!"
"I know that, but we can't prove it," said Wood bitterly, pulling Harry back towards the team huddle "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 — "
The day before the match, the winds reached howling point and the rain fell harder than ever. It was so dark inside the corridors and classrooms that extra torches and lanterns were lit. The Slytherin team was looking very smug indeed, and none more so than Draco.
"Ah, if only my arm was feeling a bit better!" he sighed as the rain outside pounded the windows. I snorted. Draco could be such a drama queen sometimes. It was a early morning in DADA when Harry came bursting through the door late.
"Sorry I'm late, Professor Lupin. I — " But it wasn't Professor Lupin who looked up at him from the teacher's desk; it was Snape.
"This lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter, so I think we'll make it ten points from Gryffindor. Sit down." But Harry didn't move.
"Where's Professor Lupin?" he said.
"He says he is feeling too ill to teach today," said Snape with a twisted smile. "I believe I told you to sit down?" But Harry stayed where he was. "What's wrong with him?" Snape's black eyes glittered.
