The Traitors [HP6] *EDITING*

Chapter 5

The picture on the card was different than ay other Harry had ever seen. Instead of just being a flat moving image, this one appeared almost three dimensional. Behind the horrible, cloaked figure, there was a sparkling black background that just added to the mysticness and amazement of the card.

"How could they even think of putting HIM in the game?" asked Harry, shocked. "Well, he is a very important historical figure..." said Hermione.

"Yeah, and he's really rare too!" drooled Ron. "Look at that! A four-star rarity! I

only thought it went up to three!"

"It doesn't matter," said Harry, turning the card around and glaring at the horrific

image of Voldemort, stroking his chin, and giving an occasional laugh. "They still shouldn't put him in the game."

"Oh come on Harry," laughed Ron. "Look at his power! It's through the roof! You could probably win most games with just that one card!"

"I suppose so," said Harry, tucking the Voldemort card away along with the rest of his small collection. He also put his unopened card packs in his bag too, he didn't really feel like opening any more today.

"Well, if you don't want him, I'll gladly take him!" offered Ron. "No way," laughed Harry, feeling better.

The rest of the rather short trip was pleasant, talking about their summer vacations, and of course, making comments on Hermione's bracelet. It was like nothing Harry had ever seen before.

Before long, however, the train ride came to an end and the three of them got off just in time to see their teacher and friend, Hagrid. He was at least twice as tall as any man, and five times as wide... he almost took up as much space as all of the new first year students he was leading up to the castle.

"Hullo!" he called to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Good ter see ya, but I can' talk now. Gotta lead these newbies up to th' castle. I'll see ya later!" He, along with a few new first years, and five other students that did not look anything like first years, but rather sixth or seventh years, made their way to the boats they would take to cross the lake and to the massive citadel.

"See you later Hagrid!" yelled the three of them, making their way to the much more luxurious carriages that quickly took them to the front gate of Hogwarts which they quickly burst through, eager to start the new year... and to eat at the start of school feast!

Harry, Ron, and Hermione speedily found some seats at the Gryffindor table and waited anxiously as the rest of the Gryffindors filed in. The table looked especially empty, now that all the seventh years from last year were gone... then a thought suddenly came to Harry. He nudged Ron in the side.

"Hey Ron!" he whispered loudly. "We're going to have to hold tryouts again! We need five new people for the Gryffindor Quidditch team! Fred, George, Alicia, Angelina, and Katie all graduated last year." Ron's eyes widened.

"Oh man," he gasped. "I totally forgot about that."

"Oh well, it shouldn't be that difficult," said Harry. Then, remembering that at the end of last year, a group of last years' new Gryffindors promised that they would make the team, Harry began to think that maybe it wouldn't be as easy as he initially speculated.

"Come on Harry," interjected Hermione, "put on your Prefect Badge! You need to show all of the new first years where they can go if they're lost or having trouble." She quickly reached into her pocket, and pinned on her shiny badge, wearing it proudly.

"Ugh... the last thing I want is for more first years to be crawling all over me," groaned Harry, taking out his grimy badge and trying to clean it up a bit.