Deadly Snake, Silent Dragon.

The New Seeker

Once we went outside, we crossed the grass to see both our houses team, Slytherin and Gryffindors standing opposite to each other.

"What's happening?" Ron asked Harry. "Why aren't you playing? And what's he doing here?" I looked at him, Draco Malfoy, in his Slytherin Quidditch robes, but his eyes were focused on Weasley.

"I'm the new Slytherin Seeker, Weasley," said Malfoy, smugly. "Everyone's just been admiring the brooms my father's bought our team."

Ron gaped, open mouthed, at the seven superb broomsticks in front of him.

Good, aren't they?" said Malfoy smoothly. "But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms, too. You could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives; I expect a museum would bid for them." The Slytherin team howled with laughter.

"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in," said Hermione sharply. "They got in on pure talent."

The smug look on Malfoy's face flickered.

"No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood," he spat.

I immediately stepped back, my hands circling Charlton as an uproar broke out.
Flint had to dive in front of Malfoy to stop Fred and George jumping on him, Alicia shrieked, "How dare you!"; and Ron plunged his hand into his robes, pulled out his wand, yelling, "You'll pay for that one, Malfoy!" and pointed it furiously under Flint's arm at Malfoy's face.

Green light shot out from the wrong end of Ron's wand, hitting him in the stomach and sending him reeling backward onto the grass.

"Ron!" I said.
Charlton cowered in my hug.
Hermione hurried to Ron's side.

Ron opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead he gave an almighty belch and several slugs dribbled out of his mouth onto his lap.

The Slytherin team were paralyzed with laughter. Flint was doubled up, hanging onto his new broomstick for support. Malfoy was on all fours, banging the ground with his fist. The Gryffindors were gathered around Ron, who kept belching large, glistening slugs. Nobody seemed to want to touch him, but Ivy immediately stood in front of him to stop the Slytherin from seeing him.

"We'd better get him to Hagrid's, it's nearest," said Harry to Hermione, who nodded bravely, and the pair of them pulled Ron up by the arms.

"What happened, Harry? What happened? Is he ill? But you can cure him, can't you?" Colin had run down from his seat and was now dancing alongside them as they left the field. Ron gave a huge heave and more slugs dribbled down his front.

"Oooh," said Colin, fascinated and raising his camera. "Can you hold him still, Harry?"

I pushed Colin away, making him stumble back in shock, Harry and Hermione supported Ron out of the stadium and across the grounds toward the edge of the forest, while Ivy and Charlton were walking closely behind.
Charlton exhaled.
"Why do I feel every time I'm around him something bad happens?"
The tone he spoke with made Ivy smile sadly at him, "It isn't you Charlton, it's either me or Draco, poor him"
She said, but comforted Charlton with a pat to his head.
Unknown to her, Harry was focusing on their conversation.

"Nearly there, Ron," said Hermione as the gamekeeper's cabin came into view. "You'll be all right in a minute-almost there-"

They were within twenty feet of Hagrid's house when the front door opened, but it wasn't Hagrid who emerged. Gilderoy Lockhart, wearing robes of palest mauve today, came striding out.

"Quick, behind here," Harry hissed, dragging Ron behind a nearby bush. Hermione followed, somewhat reluctantly Ivy and Charlton hid behind a big rock, while fitted them both as they were small in size.