HARRY POTTER Book 4: Chapter 13
Chapter 13
MADEYE MOODY
The storm ends during the night. In the morning, the ceiling in the Great Hall is still dark and gray. Harry sits with Ron and Hermione at breakfast. They look at their new schedules.
Fred, George, and Lee Jordan sit nearby. They talk quietly about ways to make themselves older. They want to enter the Triwizard Tournament. Ron looks down at his schedule. “This isn’t too bad,” Ron says. “Herbology with Hufflepuff. Care of Magical Creatures too. Still with the Slytherins.” Harry looks at his own paper. “Double Divination this afternoon,” Harry says. “Great.”
Hermione butters toast. “You should stop taking Divination,” Hermione says. “Then you can study something useful.” Ron watches her closely. “You’re eating again,” Ron says. Hermione nods. “I decided there are better ways to fight for elf rights,” she says. Ron grins. “And you were hungry,” Ron says.
Suddenly, many owls fly into the Hall. They carry letters and packages. Harry looks up quickly. He does not see Hedwig. His stomach sinks. Owls land all around. One drops a package into Neville’s lap. On the other side, Malfoy’s owl brings him sweets. Harry looks back at his food. He worries about Hedwig and Sirius.
They walk to Herbology after breakfast. Professor Sprout shows them strange plants. They look like thick black slugs in the ground. “These are Bubotubers,” Professor Sprout says.
“You must squeeze them. You must collect the pus.” “Collect the what?” Seamus asks. “The pus,” Professor Sprout says. “Put it in these bottles. The pus is very valuable. Make sure you wear gloves.”
The students squeeze the plants. Thick yellow liquid comes out. It smells strong. It is unpleasant. “This helps acne,” Professor Sprout says. “Madam Pomfrey needs it. The pus is perfect for young wizards and witches - no more pimples!”
A deep bell rings. The class ends. The Gryffindors walk toward Hagrid’s house. Hagrid waits outside with Fang. Wooden boxes sit on the ground. Something inside them moves. “Morning!” Hagrid says happily. “What are those?” Ron asks. “These are Blast-Ended Skrewts!” Ron looks confused. They look into the boxes. Pale, slimy creatures crawl over each other. Sparks fly from their ends.
“They just hatched,” Hagrid says proudly. “They’re only babies. You’ll raise them. That’s your new project.” “Why?” Malfoy asks coldly. The Slytherins have arrived. “What’s the point of them?” Malfoy continues. Hagrid thinks. It is obvious he has never thought about that question before. “Well, we’ll discuss that in a later class,” Hagrid says. “Today you must feed them.”
The students drop food into the boxes. The creatures jump and blast forward. “Ouch!” Dean shouts. “It burned me!” “That happens,” Hagrid says. Lavender points. “What’s that sharp thing?” “Some have stingers,” Hagrid says. “I think they’re males.” Hermione pulls her hand back quickly.
Malfoy laughs. “Lovely pets,” he says. “They burn and sting.” “Just because they’re ugly doesn’t mean they’re useless,” Hermione says sharply. “Dragon’s blood is useful,” she continues, “but I don’t think you would want a dragon for a pet.” Harry sees Hagrid smile. Harry knows Hagrid wants nothing more than a dragon for a pet. Later, after class, they walk back to the castle.
At lunch, Hermione eats very fast. “Is this your new position to defend house-elf rights?” asks Ron sarcastically. “You’re going to eat all the food they prepare?” “No, I just want to finish lunch and go to the library,” Hermione says. “It’s only the first day back,” Ron says. Hermione shrugs her shoulders and leaves.
In the afternoon, Harry and Ron go to Divination. They climb to the top of the tower. The room smells sweet and looks dark. Professor Trelawney appears behind Harry. “You are troubled,” she says sadly. “Dark times are coming. With my inner eye I see the thing you fear the most. I See it coming. It will come sooner than you think.” Ron rolls his eyes.
Professor Trelawney talks about stars and fate. Harry feels sleepy. He thinks she is wrong. He thinks she is a fake witch. He believes that her divinations are silly, and they will never come true. Soon he falls asleep. “Harry!” Ron nudges him. “What?” says Harry, confused. Everyone is staring at him. “You were born under Saturn,” Professor Trelawney says. “I see with my inner eye that you were born in winter…” “I was born in July,” Harry says. Ron laughs. To hide his laugh, he coughs.
Professor Trelawney is angry and frustrated with them. She makes them draw star charts. Ron jokes quietly. Lavender squeals with excitement. “Professor, I have a special planet on my star chart!” she cries. Professor Trelawney comes over to her table. “Yes, my dear, look!” she says. “The special planet is Uranus!” “Can I look at your anus?” Ron says, making a vulgar joke. It is probably because of that joke that Professor Trelawney gives a lot of homework to the class.
“That’s homework for the whole weekend,” Ron says angrily. “No homework for me,” Hermione says cheerfully. They get in line for dinner. Malfoy walks behind them with a newspaper. “Weasley!” Malfoy shouts. “Your dad’s in the paper!”
