𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 (𝟐) || HARRY POTTER LOVE STORY

16

"Now listen here, you lot," Oliver said. "We should have won the Quidditch Cup last year. We're easily the best team. But unfortunately, owing to circumstances beyond our control..."

Julie shifted guiltily in her seat. She and Harry had been unconscious in the hospital wing for the final match of the previous year, meaning that Gryffindor had been two players short and had suffered their worst defeat in three hundred years.

Wood took a moment to regain control of himself. Their last defeat was clearly still torturing him.

"So, this year, we train harder than ever before... Okay, let's go and put our new theories into practice," Wood shouted, seizing his broomstick and leading the way out of the changing rooms. Stiff-legged and still yawning, the team followed.

They had been in the changing room so long that the sun was up properly now, although remnants of mist hung over the grass in the stadium. As Julie walked onto the pitch, she saw Ron and Hermione sitting in the stands.

"Aren't you finished yet?" called Ron incredulously.

"Haven't even started," said Harry, while Julie pointed at Wood, circling her finger by her head to indicate he'd gone mad. "Wood's been teaching us new moves!"

She mounted her broomstick and kicked at the ground, soaring up into the air. The cool morning air whipped her face, waking her far more effectively than Wood's long talk.

It felt wonderful to be back on the Quidditch pitch. She soared right around the stadium at full speed, racing Harry. But they didn't finish their race.

"What's that funny clicking noise?" called Fred, as they hurtled around the corner. Julie looked into the stands. Colin was sitting in one of the highest seats, his camera raised, taking picture after picture, the sound strangely magnified in the deserted stadium.

"Look this way, Harry! This way!" he cried shrilly.

"Great," Harry said sarcastically. "He's probably got ten more pictures of us by now."

"Hope you're looking good, then," Julie teased, grinning at him. "Can't have Colin running around with a picture of you looking like you just rolled out of bed."

"You can't talk, Jules," Harry shot back. "You look like you just woke up in a haystack."

Julie gasped, pretending to be offended. "Excuse me, I happen to be stunning no matter the hour."

"I don't know," Harry said, raising an eyebrow. "That hair's a little questionable."

"Oh, shut up!" Julie laughed, shoving him with her shoulder as they soared around the pitch.

Fred yelled down from the other end of the field, "Come on, you two! Stop playing tag and get back to training!"

"What's going on?" said Wood, frowning, as he skimmed through the air towards Colin. "Why's that first-year taking pictures? I don't like it. He could be a Slytherin spy, trying to find out about our new training programme!"

"Wood, nobody cares about your stupid new training programme," Julie said, still angry about being up so early.

"He's in Gryffindor," said Harry quickly while flying next to her, noticing her growing rage.

"And the Slytherins don't need a spy, Oliver," said George.

"What makes you say that?" said Wood testily, ignoring Julie's bad mood.

"Because they're here in person," said George, pointing. Several people in green robes were walking onto the pitch, broomsticks in their hands.

"I don't believe it!" Wood hissed in outrage. "I booked the pitch for today! We'll see about this!"