Amelia Potter and the Chamber of Secrets PART 1

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from him in alarm. Amelia had screamed in terror and clamped her hands over her ears.

'The voice!' said Harry, looking over his shoulder. 'I just heard it again – didn't you?'

Ron shook his head, wide-eyed. Amelia nodded vigorously hands still over her ears. Hermione, however, clapped a hand to her forehead.

'Harry – I think I've just understood something! I've got to go to the library!'

And she sprinted away, up the stairs. Amelia glanced at Harry and Ron before running off after Hermione seeming to understand.

'What does she understand?' said Harry distractedly, still looking around, trying to tell where the voice had come from.

'Loads more than I do,' said Ron, shaking his head.

'But why's she got to go to the library?'

'Because that's what Hermione does,' said Ron, shrugging.

'When in doubt, go to the library.'

Harry stood, irresolute, trying to catch the voice again, but people were now emerging from the Great Hall behind him, talk- ing loudly, exiting through the front doors on their way to the Quidditch pitch.

'You'd better get moving,' said Ron. 'It's nearly eleven – the match.'

Harry raced up to Gryffindor Tower, collected his Nimbus Two Thousand and joined the large crowd swarming across the grounds, but his mind was still in the castle, along with the bodiless voice, and as he pulled on his scarlet robes in the changing room, his only comfort was that everyone was now outside to watch the game.

The teams walked onto the pitch to tumultuous applause. Oliver Wood took off for a warm-up flight around the goalposts, Madam Hooch released the balls. The Hufflepuffs, who played in canary yellow, were standing in a huddle, having a last-minute discussion of tactics.

Harry was just mounting his broom when Professor McGonagall came half-marching, half-running across the pitch, carrying an enormous purple megaphone.

Harry's heart dropped like a stone.

'This match has been cancelled,' Professor McGonagall called through the megaphone, addressing the packed stadium. There were boos and shouts. Oliver Wood, looking devastated, landed and ran towards Professor McGonagall without getting off his broomstick.