Chapter 225 (1/2)

Back to the Gryffindor public lounge.

The damaged portrait of the fat lady had been removed from the wall and replaced by Sir cardogan and his fat gray pony.

No one is happy about it. Sir cardogan spent half his time challenging people and asking them to fight him. The rest of the time was spent pondering over absurdly complex passwords, which he had to change at least twice a day.

”He's crazy,” simolfenigan said angrily to Percy. ”Can't we change people?”

”No other painting wants to do this job,” Percy said. ”Scared by what happened to the fat lady. Sir cardogan is the only one to come forward. ”

But most of all, Professor McGonagall called Harry into her office, and the look on his face made him think that someone must have died.

”There's no need to hide it from you, Potter,” she said seriously. ”I know it's going to shock you, but Blake --”

”I know he's after me,” Harry said wearily. ”I heard Ron's father tell his mother. Mr. Weasley works in the Ministry of magic. ”

MEG seemed very surprised. She glared at Harry for a moment and then said, ”I see! Well, then, Potter, you understand why I don't think it's a good idea for you to practice Quidditch in the evening. On the court, only your teammates are around, you are very exposed, Potter -- ”

” we are going to have our first game on Saturday! ” Harry said, furious. ”I must train, Professor!”

Professor McGonagall watched him attentively. Harry knew that she was extremely concerned about the future of Gryffindor's team. After all, it was she who first suggested Harry be the seeker. He waited, holding his breath nervously.

”Well...” Professor McGonagall stood up and looked out the window at the Quidditch court, which was visible in the rain. ”Well God knows, I'd love to see our team finally win the cup But anyway, Potter I would be happier if there was a teacher present. I asked Mrs. Hodge to supervise your training

In this way, the first Quidditch game is approaching, but the weather is getting worse and worse. Under the supervision of Mrs. Hodge, Gryffindor trained bravely and worked harder than ever. Then, at the last training session before Saturday's game, Oliver brought unwelcome news to his team.

”We're not playing Slytherin!” He told them angrily, ”flint came to see me just now. We're going to compete with huffpaff. ”

”Why?” The other players asked in unison.

”Flint's excuse is that their seeker's injured arm is not good yet.” Wood said, showing his spear furiously, ”but they did it for the obvious purpose that they didn't want to play in such weather and thought it would ruin their chances...” It was a stormy day, and as wood spoke, they heard thunder rumbling in the distance. ”Malfoy's arm is all right!” Harry said angrily, ”he's pretending!”

”I understand, but we can't prove it.” ”We've been practicing with Slytherin,” Wood said bitterly, ”and now we're playing the hutchpacs, and their style is quite different. They have a new captain and seeker Cedric digori - ”