Draco Malfoy *3rd Year*

Chapter 8

It was pouring with rain as the match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff went on, I could see Harry struggling to fly due to the immense force of the lashing rain and winds.  A stitch of lightning strikes the tail of Angelina Johnson's broom. As it burst into flames, she plummeted to the pitch. There was a very large gasp and different cries went out as she toppled off her broom to the ground. Suddenly we noticed that Harry was off, zooming across the pitch, he flew around the staff box and went high up into the grey clouds chasing the snitch. We waited for a few minutes and we weren't sure what happened exactly but soon Harry was falling through the air, while his broom flew off in another direction. Black, cloaked figures were chasing after Harry's falling body and I knew they were dementors. Dumbledore's powerful voice rang out through the pitch

"Aresto momentum!" Harry immediately slowed down and landed gently onto the sandy ground of the quidditch pitch. Ron, Hermione and I were the first three on the floor next to Harry, we followed the teachers that carried him to the infirmary and we stayed with him until we were shooed away by Madam Pomfrey. About 10 minutes later she allowed us and the Gryffindor quidditch team into the wing to see him.

"Looks a bit peaky, doesn't he?" Ron said quietly. I rolled my eyes at him

"Peaky? What d'you expect him to look like? He fell fifty feet" Fred said shaking his head at his younger brother's comment.

"Yeah, c'mon, Ron. We'll walk you off the Astronomy Tower and see how you come out looking." George added.

"Probably a right sight better than he normally does." Harry's voice suddenly answered, I felt relief flood through me and I smiled at him as he sat up slowly.

"Harry! How are you feeling?" Hermione asked worriedly

"Brilliant," Harry replied sarcastically.

"Gave us a right good scare, mate," Fred said standing up

"What happened?" Harry asked as I propped his pillow up a little more.

"You fell off your broom," Ron said

"Really? I meant the match. Who won?" Harry rolled his eyes. We all shared glances before Hermione said

"No one blames you, Harry. The Dementors weren't meant to come on the grounds. Dumbledore was furious. After he saved you, he sent them straight off." Harry nodded grimly

"There's something else you should know, Harry. Your Nimbus -- when it blew away? -- it sort of landed in the Whomping Willow. And well..." Ron then unwrapped and white sheet that held the splintered remains of Harry's broom. He looked very disheartened and incredibly upset.

"I'm so sorry Harry," I said quietly placing my hand gently on his shoulder. He sighed and leaned back looking tired. Just then Madam Pomfrey came over to us

"Right that's it, all of you out, Mr Potter needs his rest. He should be able to join you tomorrow for breakfast" She then hurriedly ushered us out of the infirmary.

We made our way back to the common room in silence

"Poor Harry" I sighed as we entered through the portrait hole.

"Yeah I know, with everything that's going on, quidditch should've been the best thing for him," Hermione replied sitting on the sofa.

"Let's hope he feels better once he's out of the hospital wing" Ron added pulling off his hat. I nodded.

"And we have our next trip to Hogsmeade coming up, he won't be able to join us for that either. This really isn't a good year for Harry so far" I said pulling off my coat and bringing out the essay that I had to finish for Snape. After a while, Ron said goodnight and left Hermione and I working quietly by the fire.