HARRY POTTER Book 4: Chapter 31
Chapter 31
THE THIRD TASK
Ron stares into the fire. The firelight moves across his face, but he looks cold. “Dumbledore thinks You-Know-Who is getting stronger again?” he says quietly. Harry nods. He tells Ron and Hermione everything he has seen in the Pensieve and everything Dumbledore has said. They sit until late in the common room. Harry’s mind feels full and heavy.
“And he trusts Snape?” Ron says. “He really trusts Snape, even though he knows he was a Death Eater?” “Yes,” Harry says. Hermione has not spoken for a long time. She sits with her head down. Then she whispers, “Rita Skeeter.” Ron looks at her.
“How can you think about her now?” Ron says. “I’m not worried,” Hermione says. “I’m thinking. She knows things. About Bagman.” They talk quietly. Then Hermione checks her watch. “We didn’t practice!” she says. “Tomorrow we must work hard. Harry, you need sleep.”
That night, Harry lies in bed. He looks at Neville. Neville’s parents are alive, but they do not know him. Their minds have been destroyed. Harry feels anger build inside him. Voldemort destroys lives. He breaks families.
In the next days, Ron and Hermione help Harry train. “Don’t worry about exams,” Hermione says. Harry learns new spells. He learns the Impediment Curse, a spell that slows or stops a moving enemy for a short time. He learns the Reductor Curse, a spell that blasts solid objects apart. He learns the Four-Point Spell, which makes his wand act like a compass and point north. But the Shield Charm is still hard for him.
June arrives. The castle feels tense and excited. The third task is close. Harry practices constantly. He feels ready. At breakfast, Hermione opens the newspaper and suddenly spits out her drink. “What?” Harry asks. Ron grabs the paper. “Not today,” he says. Malfoy shouts across the hall, laughing. Harry takes the paper.
HARRY POTTER - DISTURBED AND DANGEROUS
Harry Potter, the boy who survived the attack of You-Know-Who, may not be as safe as people think. Reports say that Potter often collapses at school and says his scar hurts. Some experts believe this could be a sign of problems in his mind. One expert says, “He may be pretending. He may want attention.”
There are also questions about his behavior. Potter can speak Parseltongue, the language of snakes. This ability is often connected to Dark Magic. A Hogwarts student says, “Potter lost control in a duel and used a snake. Many students were afraid.”
Potter is also known to be close to dangerous creatures like werewolves and giants. Some people believe this shows he may like violence. Because of this, some experts say Harry Potter should not be allowed to compete in the Triwizard Tournament. They worry he may use Dark Magic to win.
Rita Skeeter writes lies about him. Harry shrugs. “She has the story wrong about me, don’t you think?” Hermione suddenly freezes. “I think I know how she does it,” she says. Then she runs out of the Hall.
Professor McGonagall calls Harry. “The champions are meeting their families.” Harry enters the room. He sees the other champions with their families. Then he sees Mrs. Weasley and Bill. “Surprise!” Mrs. Weasley says. She hugs him. Harry feels warm and safe.
That evening, the Great Hall is quiet.The enchanted ceiling turns from blue to deep purple. The light becomes soft. Everyone is waiting. Then Dumbledore stands. At once, the Hall becomes silent. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he says, “in five minutes, you will go to the Quidditch field for the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament.” A wave of excitement moves through the students.
