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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. 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. Finn was a little worried about him.
It was really lucky that Finn now had Hermione as a friend. He didn't know how he'd have gotten through all his homework without her. He was grateful that she helped him.
Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since Finn, Harry and Ron 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 them were out in the freezing courtyard during break, and she 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. Finn had noticed at once that Snape was limping. Finn, Harry, Ron, and Hermione moved closer together to block the fire from view; they were sure it wouldn't be allowed. Unfortunately, something about their 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 Finn stared in shock as Snape limped away. "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?" Finn asked.
"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," said Ron bitterly.
The Gryffindor common room was very noisy that evening. Finn, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat together next to a window. Hermione was checking the boy's Charms homework for them. She would never let them copy ("How will you learn?"), but by asking her to read it through, they got the right answers anyway.
Watching as Harry was suddenly getting up, Finn asked where he was going and Harry told him, Ron, and Hermione he was going to ask Snape if he could have it.
