HARRY POTTER and the Prisoner of Azkaban CHAPTER 9
Chapter 9
DARK DEFEAT
The attack on the painting scares everyone. Dumbledore sends all the children to the Great Hall. “We must search the whole castle for Sirius Black!” says Professor Dumbledore. “For your safety, you must stay here for the night. The prefects will watch the doors to the Great Hall.
The teachers will search the castle. Prefects, if there is any problem, send a ghost to find me!” Then Dumbledore and the other professors leave. Percy, head boy of Gryffindor, tells the children it’s time for bed. They all go to their sleeping bags.
“Do you think Sirius Black is still in the castle?” Hermione whispers nervously. “Dumbledore thinks he might still be here,” answers Ron. All the children are nervous. They ask themselves, how did Sirius Black get past the dementors? How did he enter the castle?
Later that night, Harry is still awake. He sees Professor Dumbledore enter the Great Hall. Percy speaks to him. “Did you find him?” he asks quietly. “No, we didn’t,” answers Dumbledore. “How are things here?” “Everything is under control, sir. Sir? What about the Fat Lady?” “We found her in another painting on the second floor. She did not allow Black to enter. That is why he attacked.”
“She’s still very scared. So I found someone else to protect Gryffindor. When the Fat Lady is ready, Filch will put her back in her painting.” Then, Snape appears. He walks over to Dumbledore. “Well, Severus?” says Dumbledore. “We searched everywhere. There is no sign of him. Do you have any idea how he entered the school?” “I have many ideas,” says Dumbledore, “But they are all unlikely.”
Harry is listening carefully now. “Do you remember the conversation we had before school started?” Snape asks. “I do,” says Dumbledore in an anxious voice. “Well, it seems almost impossible that Black could enter without help from inside the school. You know I was worried when you hired the new teacher…” “I do not think any teacher here at Hogwarts helped Black to enter,” interrupts Dumbledore. “I must go see the dementors.” Then he leaves.
Harry, Ron and Hermione have a surprise the next morning. The painting to Gryffindor is protected by the fat little knight that helped them find Divination class, Sir Cadogan! “He’s a complete lunatic,” says Percy. “But no one else wants to protect Gryffindor. They are all scared. Sir Cadogan is the only one who is courageous enough to help.”
The days pass. The weather gets worse and worse. The first Quidditch game is soon! But Harry learns that they will play Hufflepuff. Slytherin can’t play because Malfoy is still “hurt”. “He’s faking his injury!” says Harry in frustration. His teammates are not worried. “Hufflepuff will be easy to beat,” says Oliver Wood, the team captain. “Remeber last game against Hufflepuff? Harry caught the Snitch in less than five minutes!”
Harry only thinks about the game the next day. He is late for Defense Against the Dark Arts class. “Sorry I’m late, Professor Lupin…” says Harry, as he enters the classroom. But it is not Lupin who is teaching the class. It is Snape! “This lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter,” says Snape. “Ten points from Gryffindor. Sit down.”
“Where’s Professor Lupin?” Harry asks. “He is not feeling well today,” says Snape. “What’s wrong with him?” “I told you to sit down. Five more points from Gryffindor.” Snape continues the class.
“Lupin did not tell me what you were studying…” “We studied boggarts, Red Caps, kappas and grindylows…” says Hermione, trying to help. “Be quiet,” Snape says in a mean voice.
“So, today we will learn about…werewolves. Who can tell me the difference between a wereworlf and a real wolf?” Hermione raises her hand immediately. Snape ignores her.
“Anyone?” “Please, sir!” says Hermione. “There are many differences between a werewolf and a…” “That is the second time you have spoken without my permission, Miss Granger. Five more points from Gryffindor. You know no one likes a person who thinks they know everything, don’t you?” Hermione turns red. She puts her hand down.
Ron is very angry at Snape. He wants to defend Hermione! “You asked us a question. She knows the answer. Why did you ask a question if you don’t want an answer?” The class is completely silent. They know Ron has been impolite to a professor. “Detention, Weasley,” Snape says in a cold voice. “If you speak again today, you will be sorry.”
Snape makes them read about werewolves. Then he gives them a big homework project. They must write two pages about werewolves, how to recognize them, and how to kill them. “Class is over,” says Snape. “Weasley, you stay. We will discuss your detention.” The children leave. Harry and Hermione are worried about Lupin.
Finally, the Quidditch game is here! Harry wakes up very early. The weather is horrible. It is very windy and cold. And it is dark and raining. As Harry is leaving, Hermione’s cat, Crookshanks, walks to Harry. “You know, I think Ron is right about you. There are many other mice in the castle. Why do you only want Scabbars? Go on! Get out of here. Leave Scabbars alone!” Harry can hear the storm outside as he leaves Gryffindor.
Even with the rain and wind, everyone comes to watch the Quidditch game! The teams are on the field, and everyone is excited for the game. Harry has difficulty seeing. The rain is covering his glasses. He won’t be able to see the Snitch like this! But Hermione sees the problem. “Harry!” she yells. “Give me your glasses, quickly!” Harry gives her his glasses. “Impervius!” she yells. “Here, now your glasses are impervious to water!” Now, Harry can see!
Harry is very cold. He cannot feel his fingers! He flies high into the air. He is looking for the Snitch. Because of Hermione’s magic, Harry can see better now. Harry flies towards the middle of the field. A Bludger almost knocks him off his broom! He flies lower, looking for the Snitch. Suddenly, there is a bright light from a bolt of lightning. Harry sees something!
