HARRY POTTER and the Prisoner of Azkaban CHAPTER 15

Chapter 15

THE QUIDDITCH FINAL

“Hagrid sent me this letter,” Hermione says. “It says he lost the case. But they will let him bring Buckbeak back to Hogwarts. They will decide the execution date later.”  “They can’t do this!” Harry shouts. “They can’t! Buckbeak isn’t dangerous!” “Malfoy’s father scared the Committee,” Hermione says. She is crying. “Hagrid will try to change the decision, but it won’t work.” 

“Yes, it will!” Ron says strongly. “You won’t have to do everything alone, Hermione. We’ll help you!” “Oh, Ron!” Hermione runs and hugs Ron around his neck. She cries harder. Ron is scared! He doesn’t know what to do!  

“Ron, I’m really sorry about Scabbers,” she says, wiping her eyes. “Oh, well, he was old,” Ron says, happy she isn’t hugging him anymore. “And he didn’t help much. Maybe my parents will get me an owl now.”  

The only time Harry, Ron, and Hermione can talk to Hagrid is during his Care of Magical Creatures class. But Hagrid doesn’t think the children can help. “Lucius Malfoy controls the whole committee,” he says sadly. “They will do what he says.” Hagrid walks home after class. He is crying again. 

The children walk back to the castle. “Have you ever seen a bigger crybaby than that silly giant? So weak!” Malfoy says to Crabbe and Goyle. Everyone hears him. Harry and Ron both move to hit Malfoy, but Hermione gets there first. “SMACK!” She slaps him hard across the face! Malfoy almost falls. Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle all stare at Hermione. She raises her hand to hit him again!  

“Don’t call Hagrid weak, you bad… you evil…” “Hermione!” Ron says. She ignores him. She takes out her wand. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle run away fast! “Wow, Hermione! That was amazing!” Ron says, surprised. “Harry, you must beat him in the Quidditch final!” Hermione yells, very angry. “You must win, because I can’t stand it if Slytherin wins!”

They run to their next class with Professor Flitwick. They are late. Harry and Ron sit together, but Hermione isn’t there. “Where’s Hermione?” Ron asks. “She was just here.” “Maybe she went to the bathroom,” Harry says. But Hermione never comes to class. She isn’t at lunch either.  

“Do you think Malfoy did something to her?” Ron asks, worried. They hurry to Gryffindor Tower. The Fat Lady lets them in after Harry says the password, “Flibbertigibbet!” Hermione is in the common room! She is sleeping at a table, her head is on an open Arithmancy book. “Hermione,” Harry shakes her awake. “Wh-what?” she says, confused. “Is it time to go? Wh-which class do I have now?”  

“We have Divination next,” Harry says. “But not for half an hour. Hermione, why didn’t you go to Charms class earlier?” “What? Oh, no!” Hermione cries. “I forgot Charms class!” “But how?” Harry asks. “You were with us until we went into Flitwick’s room.” “I must have lost track of time,” Hermione says, upset. “I think you’re going crazy,” Ron says. “You’re doing too much.”  

Hermione doesn’t like Divination. She thinks it’s useless. Professor Trelawney doesn’t like Hermione. They argue in class. “Divination is silly!” Hermione yells at Professor Trelawney. She stands up fast. She throws her books into her bag. “I’m leaving! I could be learning something useful!” She walks out quickly.  

“Remember, students,” Professor Trelawney says. “I told you before, one of you would leave by Easter. Seeing the future isn’t always happy.” Harry and Ron are surprised Hermione was so rude to a teacher. She must really be going crazy, Ron thinks. Harry is just happy they aren’t studying hands anymore. Crystal balls are fine for him.  

The school year goes on. Classes are harder than ever. Ron works in the library to help Hagrid and Buckbeak. Hermione works harder than anyone. She is always tired and angry. Harry practices twice as much for the Quidditch final against Slytherin. Gryffindor must win by more than fifty points to win the House Cup. It will be very hard.  

Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor captain, reminds Harry every day. “Only catch the Snitch if we are winning by more than fifty points, Harry,” he says. “Only then, or we win the game but lose the Cup. Do you understand? Only catch the Snitch if —” “I KNOW, OLIVER, I KNOW!” Harry finally yells.  

Harry only thinks about the game. He wants to win — to see Malfoy lose in front of everyone. Everyone at Hogwarts is excited. The teams argue in the halls. One day, a Gryffindor fourth-year fights a Slytherin sixth-year. Both go to the hospital! Even Hermione can’t focus. “I can’t work, I can’t think,” she says nervously.  

The night before the game, Harry doesn’t sleep well. He dreams Slytherin is riding dragons! Malfoy’s “dragon” shoots fire at him, and he falls off his Firebolt! He wakes up scared, thinking he missed the game. But it’s still early. He looks outside. It is dark, but it will be a beautiful day — no wind. Then he sees something move near the Forbidden Forest.

It can’t be the Grim - not before the big game! He puts on his glasses to see better. It’s Crookshanks, the orange cat. Harry can see something else moving in the shadows of the trees. Suddenly, Harry sees it clearly! A gigantic, shaggy black dog comes out of the trees and moves across the grass. 

Crookshanks is walking next to the huge dog. Harry can’t believe what he is seeing. What does it mean? He tries to wake Ron. “Wha’s happening…? It’s still dark…” Ron mumbles. Harry looks again. The dog and cat are gone!

At breakfast, the whole school cheers for Gryffindor. The Slytherin table hisses and boos. The teams go to the field. The crowd cheers loudly. Most of the fans are wearing Gryffindor red.

But behind the Slytherin goals, two hundred supporters wear green. Professor Snape sits in front, smiling meanly.

“Captains, shake hands!” Madam Hooch yells. Wood and Flint shake hands hard, almost breaking each other’s fingers! “Mount your brooms! Wait for the whistle… three… two… one…”  

“SCREEE!” The crowd roars! Harry flies up fast. He must wait until Gryffindor is ahead by fifty points.  

“Gryffindor has the Quaffle!” the commentator yells. “Alicia Spinnet moves towards the Slytherin goals — oh no! Slytherin takes it!” The game moves fast. “Slytherin drops the Quaffle. Gryffindor has it. Angelina flies around Montague. She shoots… she SCORES! Ten to zero, Gryffindor!”  

The crowd cheers! But Slytherin attacks. “OUCH!” Flint hits Angelina hard! “Sorry!” Flint lies. “I didn’t see her.” Fred Weasley throws his club at Flint’s head. “SMACK!” Flint begins to bleed. “Penalty shot to Gryffindor for illegal attack on their Chaser! Penalty shot to Slytherin for deliberate attack on their Chaser!” yells Madam Hooch. 

“Alicia takes aim for the penalty shot,” Lee says quietly. “GOOOOL! SHE BEATS THE KEEPER! TWENTY TO ZERO, GRYFFINDOR! Now it’s Slytherin’s chance,” Lee continues. “Wood is a great Keeper. It’s a difficult shot.” “I DON’T BELIEVE IT! WOOD SAVES IT!” Harry is relieved. Gryffindor is still winning by twenty points.

“Katie Bell has the Quaffle now for Gryffindor! She’s zooming up the field - HEY! THAT WAS ON PURPOSE!” Montague, a Slytherin Chaser, moved in front of Katie. Instead of grabbing the Quaffle, he grabbed her head! Katie almost fell off her broom! “THIRTY TO ZERO! ANOTHER PENALTY GOAL FOR GRYFFINDOR! THAT SLYTHERIN TEAM ARE DIRTY CHEATERS…!” “Jordan!” yells McGonagall. “No one wants your opinions here! Just comment on the game!”

Harry looks for the Snitch. His strategy is to block Malfoy, until they lead by fifty. Harry is more nervous than ever! They are winning by thirty points. Then, he sees it! The Snitch is near the Gryffindor goal posts. Has Malfoy seen it too? Harry has a plan. 

He speeds off in the opposite direction - Malfoy believes him. He thinks Harry has seen the Snitch. Malfoy chases Harry. Suddenly, two Bludgers attack Harry at the same time! He almost falls off his Firebolt! Harry speeds away to safety. 

“Ha ha! What a move by Potter! That Firebolt is too fast for you Slytherin slowpokes! Now Gryffindor has possession. Angelina takes it to the goal posts - oh, no! Flint in possession now! Flint toward the Gryffindor goal posts… come on, Wood, save it…!” But Flint scores. The Slytherin fans erupt with cheers and clapping. Lee Jordan, the commentator, says so many bad words that Professor McGonagall almost takes away his magical megaphone!

The game is becoming dangerous. Slytherin is committing many illegal actions. But Gryffindor retaliates in illegal ways, too! Madam Hooch gives both teams penalty shots. Gryffindor scores, and Wood makes another incredible save! Gryffindor is winning forty to ten.

Katie scores! Gryffindor is winning fifty to ten now. They are winning by forty points. Slytherin commits another foul against Wood. Madam Hooch is losing her patience. “YOU DO NOT ATTACK THE KEEPER UNLESS THE QUAFFLE IS IN THE AREA!” she yells at the Slytherin players who attacked Wood. “Gryffindor penalty!” And Angelina scores! Gryffindor is winning sixty to ten!

Gryffindor takes advantage and quickly scores again! Seventy to ten! They are sixty points in the lead. If Harry catches the Snitch now, Gryffindor will win the Cup. Harry feels the excitement inside him. He is flying high above the field. Malfoy is speeding behind him. Then, Harry sees it. The Snitch is only a few meters above him. Harry leans forward and flies straight up into the air! He reaches out his hand to grab the Snitch…

suddenly, the Firebolt begins to slow down! Harry doesn’t know what is happening. He turns around and he sees Malfoy - he is holding the tail of Harry’s Firebolt, and pulling on it! Harry wants to hit Malfoy, but he will fall off his broom if he does. Harry looks in front of him, but the Snitch has disappeared!

“PENALTY! Penalty!” yells Madam Hooch. “I have never seen so many illegal actions!” “MALFOY, YOU CHEATING SCUM!” yells Lee Jordan into his magic megaphone. But this time, Professor McGonagall does not tell him to be quiet. She is angrier than she has ever been in her whole life! And she is shouting at Malfoy, too!

Alicia takes the penalty, but she misses. Gryffindor is losing their concentration. But that is Slytherin’s strategy. And Slytherin is committing even more illegal actions. “Slytherin are in possession now… Montague heading towards the goal… he sees an opening… Slytherin scores! Seventy to twenty!” Harry is marking Malfoy very closely now. He does not want him near the Snitch. Malfy complains.

 “Angelin Johnson has the Quaffle for Gryffindor… come on, Angelina, COME ON…!” Harry looks around. All the Slytherin players are flying to block Angelina. Harry leans forward and flies like a rocket, straight into the Slytherin players. They all fly off in different directions. “Angelina’s way is clear… SHE SCORES! SHE SCORES! Gryffindor leads by eighty points to twenty!”

Harry returns to the middle of the field. He looks up. His heart almost stops. Malfoy is diving fast towards the ground, towards the Snitch. Harry sees the Snitch. Harry does not think he will be able to reach the Snitch in time. He leans forward again and dives as fast as he can! He is getting closer and closer to Malfoy. He is right behind him now. They are speeding side by side. The Snitch is right in front of them. Malfoy reaches out his hand… but Harry lets go of his Firebolt, he pushes Malfoy’s hand away with his left hand, and with his other hand…

“YES! POTTER HAS THE SNITCH!” The crowd goes wild with cheering! The Snitch is in his hand. Its wings are flapping rapidly. Harry’s teammates fly towards him and surround him.

They all jump on Harry! Oliver Wood is crying. “You did it, Harry! We’ve won the House Cup! We’ve won the Cup!” The Gryffindor supporters surround their Quidditch team. Hagrid is there, laughing and clapping. And Professor McGonagall is crying like a little child. Then Ron and Hermione appear next to Harry. They have no words to say, they are so happy.

The Gryffindor fans carry Harry and his teammates on their shoulders to Professor Dumbledore. He is holding the House Cup. He gives the Cup to Wood. Then Wood gives the Cup to Harry. If a dementor appeared right now, Harry thinks, he could produce the most powerful Patronus in the world!