book 1

NS MASTER pt Malfoy, whom he seemed to to look at the perfect way Malfoyn clouds of acid green smoke andn. Neville had somehow managed twisted blob, and their potion was burning holes in people’s shoes.was standing on their stools while in the potion when the cauldron ry red boils sprang up all over hisaring the spilled potion away with e you added the porcupine quills fire?”arted to pop up all over his nose.wing,” Snape spat at Seamus. Then who had been working next to you tell him not to add the quills?ood if he got it wrong, did you? or Gryffindor.” opened his mouth to argue, butldron. “I’ve heard Snape can turn very t of the dungeon an hour later,s spirits were low. He’d lost two first week — why did Snape hate39 ‘

CHAPTER “Cheer up,” said Ron, “Snape’sGeorge. Can I come and meet Ha At five to three they left the casgrounds. Hagrid lived in a small wforbidden forest. A crossbow andthe front door. When Harry knocked they heside and several booming barks. Ting, “Back, Fang — back.” Hagrid’s big, hairy face appeardoor open. “Hang on,” he said. “Back, Fang He let them in, struggling toenormous black boarhound. There was only one room inhanging from the ceiling, a coppefire, and in the corner stood a maover it. “Make yerselves at home,” saidbounded straight at Ron and starFang was clearly not as fierce as he “This is Ron,” Harry told Hagter into a large teapot and putting “Another Weasley, eh?” said H“I spent half me life chasin’ yer tw The rock cakes were shapelessbroke their teeth, but Harry andthem as they told Hagrid all abohis head on Harry’s knee and droo ‘ 14

R EIGHTs always taking points off Fred andagrid with you?” stle and made their way across the wooden house on the edge of the d a pair of galoshes were outsideeard a frantic scrabbling from in-Then Hagrid’s voice rang out, say- red in the crack as he pulled the g.” keep a hold on the collar of annside. Hams and pheasants were er kettle was boiling on the open assive bed with a patchwork quiltd Hagrid, letting go of Fang, whorted licking his ears. Like Hagrid, e looked.grid, who was pouring boiling wa-g rock cakes onto a plate.Hagrid, glancing at Ron’s freckles.win brothers away from the forest.” s lumps with raisins that almost d Ron pretended to be enjoyingout their first lessons. Fang rested oled all over his robes.40 ‘

THE POTION Harry and Ron were delighted tgit’’ “An’ as fer that cat, Mrs. NorFang sometime. D’yeh know, everfollows me everywhere? Can’t getto it.” Harry told Hagrid about SnapHarry not to worry about it, thatdents. “But he seemed to really hate m “Rubbish!” said Hagrid. “Why Yet Harry couldn’t help thinkihis eyes when he said that. “How’s yer brother Charlie?” Hlot — great with animals.” Harry wondered if Hagrid hadWhile Ron told Hagrid all abouHarry picked up a piece of paperthe tea cozy. It was a cutting from GRINGOTTS BRE Investigations continue Gringotts on 31 July, w work of Dark wizards or w Gringotts goblins tod had been taken. The vault fact been emptied the sam “But we’re not telling y keep your noses out if ‘ 14

NS MASTER to hear Hagrid call Filch “that old rris, I’d like ter introduce her to ry time I go up ter the school, she t rid of her — Filch puts her uppe’s lesson. Hagrid, like Ron, told Snape liked hardly any of the stu-me.” should he?” ing that Hagrid didn’t quite meet Hagrid asked Ron. “I liked him ad changed the subject on purpose. ut Charlie’s work with dragons, that was lying on the table underm the Daily Prophet: EAK-IN LATEST into the break-in atwidely believed to be the witches unknown.day insisted that nothing t that was searched had inme day. you what was in there, so you know what’s good41 ‘

CHAPTER for you,” said a Gringott noon.Harry remembered Ron telling hitried to rob Gringotts, but Ron ha “Hagrid!” said Harry, “that Grbirthday! It might’ve been happen There was no doubt about itHarry’s eyes this time. He gruntecake. Harry read the story again. Tfact been emptied earlier that samseven hundred and thirteen, if youthat grubby little package. Hadlooking for? As Harry and Ron walked bacpockets weighed down with rockrefuse, Harry thought that none ogiven him as much to think aboucollected that package just in timHagrid know something about SHarry? ‘ 14

R EIGHT ts spokesgoblin this after- im on the train that someone had adn’t mentioned the date. ringotts break-in happened on myning while we were there!” t, Hagrid definitely didn’t meet ed and offered him another rock The vault that was searched had inme day. Hagrid had emptied vaultu could call it emptying, taking out that been what the thieves were ck to the castle for dinner, their k cakes they’d been too polite to of the lessons he’d had so far hadut as tea with Hagrid. Had Hagrid me? Where was it now? And did Snape that he didn’t want to tell42 ‘

CHAPTE THE MIDNHarry had never believed more than Dudley, butMalfoy. Still, first-year GryffindSlytherins, so they didn’t have toleast, they didn’t until they spoGryffindor common room thatlessons would be starting on ThSlytherin would be learning togeth “Typical,” said Harry darkly.make a fool of myself on a brooms He had been looking forwardthing else. “You don’t know that you’ll mreasonably. “Anyway, I know Malgood he is at Quidditch, but I bet ‘ 14

ER NINENIGHT DUEL d he would meet a boy he hated t that was before he met Draco dors only had Potions with the put up with Malfoy much. Or at otted a notice pinned up in the t made them all groan. Flying hursday — and Gryffindor and her. “Just what I always wanted. To stick in front of Malfoy.” to learning to fly more than any- make a fool of yourself,” said Ron lfoy’s always going on about how t that’s all talk.” 43 ‘

CHAPTE Malfoy certainly did talk aboloudly about first years never gteams and told long, boastful stwith him narrowly escaping Mugonly one, though: the way Seamusof his childhood zooming aroundstick. Even Ron would tell anyonealmost hit a hang glider on Chawizarding families talked about Qready had a big argument withdormitory, about soccer. Ron coua game with only one ball wherehad caught Ron prodding Dean’strying to make the players move. Neville had never been on a bgrandmother had never let him nehad good reason, because Nevillenary number of accidents even wit Hermione Granger was almostwas. This was something you cbook — not that she hadn’t triebored them all stupid with flyingbook called Quidditch Through thher every word, desperate for anyon to his broomstick later, butwhen Hermione’s lecture was inte Harry hadn’t had a single lettethat Malfoy had been quick to no ‘ 14

ER NINEout flying a lot. He complainedgetting on the House Quidditch tories that always seemed to endggles in helicopters. He wasn’t the s Finnigan told it, he’d spent most d the countryside on his broom- e who’d listen about the time he’d arlie’s old broom. Everyone fromQuidditch constantly. Ron had al- Dean Thomas, who shared theiruldn’t see what was exciting about no one was allowed to fly. Harry poster of West Ham soccer team,broomstick in his life, because his ear one. Privately, Harry felt she’d e managed to have an extraordi- th both feet on the ground. as nervous about flying as Nevillecouldn’t learn by heart out of a ed. At breakfast on Thursday she tips she’d gotten out of a libraryhe Ages. Neville was hanging on to ything that might help him hang everybody else was very pleasederrupted by the arrival of the mail. er since Hagrid’s note, somethingotice, of course. Malfoy’s eagle owl44 ‘

THE MIDNwas always bringing him packagesopened gloatingly at the Slytherin A barn owl brought Neville amother. He opened it excitedly asize of a large marble, which seeme “It’s a Remembrall!” he expthings — this tells you if there’s sLook, you hold it tight like this aface fell, because the Remembra“. . . you’ve forgotten something . Neville was trying to rememberMalfoy, who was passing the Grmembrall out of his hand. Harry and Ron jumped to theia reason to fight Malfoy, but Prspot trouble quicker than any teacflash. “What’s going on?” “Malfoy’s got my Remembrall, Scowling, Malfoy quickly droptable. “Just looking,” he said, and hGoyle behind him.At three-thirty that afternoon, Hadors hurried down the front stepflying lesson. It was a clear, breezytheir feet as they marched dow ‘ 14

NIGHT DUEL s of sweets from home, which he n table. a small package from his grand- and showed them a glass ball the ed to be full of white smoke. plained. “Gran knows I forget something you’ve forgotten to do. and if it turns red — oh . . .” His all had suddenly glowed scarlet, . . .” r what he’d forgotten when Draco ryffindor table, snatched the Re- ir feet. They were half hoping for rofessor McGonagall, who could cher in the school, was there in a Professor.” pped the Remembrall back on the he sloped away with Crabbe and arry, Ron, and the other Gryffin- ps onto the grounds for their first y day, and the grass rippled under wn the sloping lawns toward a 45 ‘

CHAPTEsmooth, flat lawn on the oppositbidden forest, whose trees were sw The Slytherins were already thsticks lying in neat lines on the grGeorge Weasley complain aboutsome of them started to vibrate ifslightly to the left. Their teacher, Madam Hooch,and yellow eyes like a hawk. “Well, what are you all waitistand by a broomstick. Come on, Harry glanced down at his brotwigs stuck out at odd angles. “Stick out your right hand ovHooch at the front, “and say ‘Up!’ “UP!” everyone shouted. Harry’s broom jumped into histhe few that did. Hermione Grangground, and Neville’s hadn’t mohorses, could tell when you werea quaver in Neville’s voice that saito keep his feet on the ground. Madam Hooch then showed thwithout sliding off the end, and wrecting their grips. Harry and RoMalfoy he’d been doing it wrong f “Now, when I blow my whistlhard,” said Madam Hooch. “Kee ‘ 14

ER NINE te side of the grounds to the for-waying darkly in the distance. here, and so were twenty broom- round. Harry had heard Fred and t the school brooms, saying that you flew too high, or always flew arrived. She had short, gray hair, ing for?” she barked. “Everyone hurry up.” oom. It was old and some of the ver your broom,” called Madam ’” s hand at once, but it was one of ger’s had simply rolled over on theoved at all. Perhaps brooms, like afraid, thought Harry; there was id only too clearly that he wanted hem how to mount their broomswalked up and down the rows cor- on were delighted when she told for years. le, you kick off from the ground, ep your brooms steady, rise a few46 ‘

THE MIDNfeet, and then come straight backOn my whistle — three — two — But Neville, nervous and jumpthe ground, pushed off hard bMadam Hooch’s lips. “Come back, boy!” she shouteup like a cork shot out of a bottHarry saw his scared white faceaway, saw him gasp, slip sideways WHAM — a thud and a nastyon the grass in a heap. His broomhigher, and started to drift lazilyout of sight. Madam Hooch was bending ohis. “Broken wrist,” Harry heard heall right, up you get.” She turned to the rest of the cla “None of you is to move whilwing! You leave those brooms whHogwarts before you can say ‘Qui Neville, his face tear-streaked,with Madam Hooch, who had her No sooner were they out oflaughter. “Did you see his face, the great The other Slytherins joined in. “Shut up, Malfoy,” snapped Pa ‘ 14

NIGHT DUEL down by leaning forward slightly. —” py and frightened of being left on before the whistle had touched ed, but Neville was rising straight tle — twelve feet — twenty feet. look down at the ground falling off the broom and — y crack and Neville lay facedown mstick was still rising higher and toward the forbidden forest and over Neville, her face as white as er mutter. “Come on, boy — it’s ass. le I take this boy to the hospital here they are or you’ll be out of idditch.’ Come on, dear.” clutching his wrist, hobbled off r arm around him. earshot than Malfoy burst into lump?” arvati Patil. 47 ‘

CHAPTE “Ooh, sticking up for Longbohard-faced Slytherin girl. “Neverbabies, Parvati.” “Look!” said Malfoy, darting fout of the grass. “It’s that stupid th The Remembrall glittered in th “Give that here, Malfoy,” saidtalking to watch. Malfoy smiled nastily. “I think I’ll leave it somewhereabout — up a tree?” “Give it here!” Harry yelled,broomstick and taken off. He hadHovering level with the topmos“Come and get it, Potter!” Harry grabbed his broom. “No!” shouted Hermione Granto move — you’ll get us all into tr Harry ignored her. Blood was pthe broom and kicked hard agasoared; air rushed through his haihind him — and in a rush of fsomething he could do without bwas wonderful. He pulled his broohigher, and heard screams and gaspan admiring whoop from Ron. He turned his broomstick sharpfoy looked stunned. ‘ 14

ER NINE ottom?” said Pansy Parkinson, a thought you’d like fat little cry- forward and snatching somethinghing Longbottom’s gran sent him.”he sun as he held it up. Harry quietly. Everyone stopped e for Longbottom to find — how but Malfoy had leapt onto his dn’t been lying, he could fly well. st branches of an oak he called,nger. “Madam Hooch told us not rouble.” pounding in his ears. He mounted ainst the ground and up, up he ir, and his robes whipped out be- fierce joy he realized he’d foundbeing taught — this was easy, this omstick up a little to take it even ps of girls back on the ground and ply to face Malfoy in midair. Mal-48 ‘

THE MIDN “Give it here,” Harry called, “o “Oh, yeah?” said Malfoy, tryin Harry knew, somehow, whatgrasped the broom tightly in bothfoy like a javelin. Malfoy only jHarry made a sharp about-face anpeople below were clapping. “No Crabbe and Goyle up hHarry called. The same thought seemed to ha “Catch it if you can, then!” heball high into the air and streaked Harry saw, as though in slow mand then start to fall. He leanedhandle down — next second hedive, racing the ball — wind whisscreams of people watching — hefrom the ground he caught it,straight, and he toppled gently onclutched safely in his fist. “HARRY POTTER!” His heart sank faster than he’dwas running toward them. He got “Never — in all my time at Hog Professor McGonagall was almher glasses flashed furiously, “— hken your neck —” “It wasn’t his fault, Professor — ‘ 14

NIGHT DUEL or I’ll knock you off that broom!” ng to sneer, but looking worried. to do. He leaned forward and h hands, and it shot toward Mal- just got out of the way in time; nd held the broom steady. A few here to save your neck, Malfoy,” ave struck Malfoy. e shouted, and he threw the glass back toward the ground. motion, the ball rise up in the air d forward and pointed his broom e was gathering speed in a steep stled in his ears, mingled with the e stretched out his hand — a foot just in time to pull his broom nto the grass with the Remembrall just dived. Professor McGonagall t to his feet, trembling. gwarts —” most speechless with shock, and how dare you — might have bro- —” 49 ‘

CHAPTE “Be quiet, Miss Patil —” “But Malfoy —” “That’s enough, Mr. Weasley. P Harry caught sight of Malfoy,faces as he left, walking numbly inshe strode toward the castle. Heknew it. He wanted to say sometseemed to be something wrong wgall was sweeping along without eto keep up. Now he’d done it. HHe’d be packing his bags in ten msay when he turned up on the doo Up the front steps, up the marfessor McGonagall didn’t say a wdoors and marched along corridobehind her. Maybe she was takingof Hagrid, expelled but allowed tohe could be Hagrid’s assistant. Hiit, watching Ron and the othestumped around the grounds carry Professor McGonagall stoppedthe door and poked her head insid “Excuse me, Professor Flitwick,ment?” Wood? thought Harry, bewildeing to use on him? But Wood turned out to be a pcame out of Flitwick’s class lookin ‘ 15

ER NINEPotter, follow me, now.” Crabbe, and Goyle’s triumphant n Professor McGonagall’s wake as was going to be expelled, he just thing to defend himself, but therewith his voice. Professor McGona-even looking at him; he had to jog He hadn’t even lasted two weeks.minutes. What would the Dursleys orstep? rble staircase inside, and still Pro-word to him. She wrenched open ors with Harry trotting miserablyg him to Dumbledore. He thought o stay on as gamekeeper. Perhaps is stomach twisted as he imagined ers becoming wizards while he ying Hagrid’s bag. outside a classroom. She opened de. , could I borrow Wood for a mo-ered; was Wood a cane she was go- person, a burly fifth-year boy whong confused.50 ‘

THE MIDN “Follow me, you two,” saidmarched on up the corridor, Woo “In here.” Professor McGonagall pointedempty except for Peeves, who wasblackboard. “Out, Peeves!” she barked. Pewhich clanged loudly, and heMcGonagall slammed the door betwo boys. “Potter, this is Oliver Wood. W Wood’s expression changed fro “Are you serious, Professor?” “Absolutely,” said Professor Mnatural. I’ve never seen anything lia broomstick, Potter?” Harry nodded silently. He didnbut he didn’t seem to be being estarted coming back to his legs. “He caught that thing in his hasor McGonagall told Wood. “DidWeasley couldn’t have done it.” Wood was now looking as thouat once. “Ever seen a game of Quidditch “Wood’s captain of the Gryffinexplained. “He’s just the build for a Seeke ‘ 15

NIGHT DUEL Professor McGonagall, and they od looking curiously at Harry. them into a classroom that was s busy writing rude words on the eeves threw the chalk into a bin, swooped out cursing. Professor ehind him and turned to face the Wood — I’ve found you a Seeker.” om puzzlement to delight. McGonagall crisply. “The boy’s a ike it. Was that your first time on n’t have a clue what was going on, expelled, and some of the feeling and after a fifty-foot dive,” Profes- dn’t even scratch himself. Charlie ugh all his dreams had come true h, Potter?” he asked excitedly. ndor team,” Professor McGonagall er, too,” said Wood, now walking 51 ‘

CHAPTEaround Harry and staring at himto get him a decent broom, Profesor a Cleansweep Seven, I’d say.” “I shall speak to Professor Dumthe first-year rule. Heaven knows,year. Flattened in that last matcSeverus Snape in the face for week Professor McGonagall peered “I want to hear you’re trainingmind about punishing you.” Then she suddenly smiled. “Your father would have beencellent Quidditch player himself.”“You’re joking.” It was dinnertime. Harry had jhappened when he’d left the grouRon had a piece of steak and kidnhe’d forgotten all about it. “Seeker?” he said. “But first yyoungest House player in about — “— a century,” said Harry, shoparticularly hungry after the excitold me.” Ron was so amazed, so impresse “I start training next week,” saiWood wants to keep it a secret.” Fred and George Weasley nowand hurried over. ‘ 15

ER NINEm. “Light — speedy — we’ll have ssor — a Nimbus Two Thousand mbledore and see if we can’t bend , we need a better team than last ch by Slytherin, I couldn’t look ks. . . .” sternly over her glasses at Harry. hard, Potter, or I may change my proud,” she said. “He was an ex- ” just finished telling Ron what had unds with Professor McGonagall. ney pie halfway to his mouth, but years never — you must be the—”oveling pie into his mouth. He felt itement of the afternoon. “Wood ed, he just sat and gaped at Harry. id Harry. “Only don’t tell anyone, came into the hall, spotted Harry,52 ‘

THE MIDN “Well done,” said George in aon the team too — Beaters.” “I tell you, we’re going to winyear,” said Fred. “We haven’t wonteam is going to be brilliant. Youalmost skipping when he told us.” “Anyway, we’ve got to go, Leesecret passageway out of the schoo “Bet it’s that one behind the stwe found in our first week. See yo Fred and George had hardly dwelcome turned up: Malfoy, flank “Having a last meal, Potter? Wto the Muggles?” “You’re a lot braver now thatyou’ve got your little friends withwas of course nothing at all littlethe High Table was full of teacherthan crack their knuckles and scow “I’d take you on anytime on myou want. Wizard’s duel. Wandsmatter? Never heard of a wizards d “Of course he has,” said Ron, wwho’s yours?” Malfoy looked at Crabbe and G “Crabbe,” he said. “Midnighttrophy room; that’s always unlock When Malfoy had gone, Rother. ‘ 15

NIGHT DUEL low voice. “Wood told us. We’re that Quidditch Cup for sure this n since Charlie left, but this year’s must be good, Harry, Wood was ” Jordan reckons he’s found a new ol.” tatue of Gregory the Smarmy that ou.” disappeared when someone far less ked by Crabbe and Goyle.When are you getting the train back t you’re back on the ground and h you,” said Harry coolly. There e about Crabbe and Goyle, but as rs, neither of them could do more wl. my own,” said Malfoy. “Tonight, if s only — no contact. What’s the duel before, I suppose?” wheeling around. “I’m his second, Goyle, sizing them up. all right? We’ll meet you in the ked.” on and Harry looked at each 53 ‘

CHAPTE “What is a wizards duel?” saidyou’re my second?” “Well, a second’s there to take ogetting started at last on his cold pface, he added quickly, “But peopknow, with real wizards. The mosis send sparks at each other. Neithdo any real damage. I bet he expec “And what if I wave my wand a “Throw it away and punch him “Excuse me. They both looked up. It was H “Can’t a person eat in peace in Hermione ignored him and spo “I couldn’t help overhearingsaying —” “Bet you could,” Ron muttered “— and you mustn’t go wandethink of the points you’ll lose Gyou’re bound to be. It’s really very “And it’s really none of your bu “Good-bye,” said Ron.All the same, it wasn’t what you’Harry thought, as he lay awake mSeamus falling asleep (Neville wasRon had spent all evening givingcurse you, you’d better dodge it, b ‘ 15

ER NINE Harry. “And what do you mean, over if you die,” said Ron casually, pie. Catching the look on Harry’s ple only die in proper duels, you st you and Malfoy’ll be able to do her of you knows enough magic to cted you to refuse, anyway.” and nothing happens?”m on the nose,” Ron suggested.Hermione Granger. this place?” said Ron. oke to Harry. g what you and Malfoy were d. ering around the school at night, Gryffindor if you’re caught, and y selfish of you.” usiness,” said Harry. ’d call the perfect end to the day, much later listening to Dean and sn’t back from the hospital wing). him advice such as “If he tries to because I can’t remember how to54 ‘

THE MIDNblock them.” There was a very gocaught by Filch or Mrs. Norris, aluck, breaking another school rulefoy’s sneering face kept looming uhis big chance to beat Malfoy face “Half-past eleven,” Ron mutter They pulled on their bathrobcrept across the tower room, downGryffindor common room. A fewfireplace, turning all the armchaThey had almost reached the portthe chair nearest them, “I can’tHarry.” A lamp flickered on. It was Hbathrobe and a frown. “You!” said Ron furiously. “Go “I almost told your brother,” Ha prefect, he’d put a stop to this.” Harry couldn’t believe anyone c “Come on,” he said to Ron. HFat Lady and climbed through the Hermione wasn’t going to givethrough the portrait hole, hissing “Don’t you care about Gryffindselves, I don’t want Slytherin to wall the points I got from ProfessoSwitching Spells.” “Go away.” ‘ 15

NIGHT DUEL ood chance they were going to get and Harry felt he was pushing his e today. On the other hand, Mal- up out of the darkness — this was e-to-face. He couldn’t miss it. red at last, “we’d better go.” bes, picked up their wands, and n the spiral staircase, and into the w embers were still glowing in the airs into hunched black shadows. trait hole when a voice spoke from believe you’re going to do this, Hermione Granger, wearing a pink back to bed!” Hermione snapped, “Percy — he’s could be so interfering. He pushed open the portrait of the e hole. e up that easily. She followed Ron at them like an angry goose. dor, do you only care about your- win the House Cup, and you’ll lose or McGonagall for knowing about 55 ‘

CHAPTE “All right, but I warned you,when you’re on the train home tom But what they were, they didn’to the portrait of the Fat Lady tofacing an empty painting. The Favisit and Hermione was locked ou “Now what am I going to do?” “That’s your problem,” said Roto be late.” They hadn’t even reached tHermione caught up with them. “I’m coming with you,” she said “You are not.” “D’you think I’m going to stancatch me? If he finds all three of utrying to stop you, and you can ba “You’ve got some nerve —” sai “Shut up, both of you!” said Ha It was a sort of snuffling. “Mrs. Norris?” breathed Ron, s It wasn’t Mrs. Norris. It was Nfloor, fast asleep, but jerked sudd “Thank goodness you found mcouldn’t remember the new passw “Keep your voice down, Nevillit won’t help you now, the Fat Lad “How’s your arm?” said Harry. “Fine,” said Neville, showing tit in about a minute.” ‘ 15

ER NINE you just remember what I said morrow, you’re so —” ’t find out. Hermione had turned get back inside and found herself at Lady had gone on a nighttimeut of Gryffindor Tower. she asked shrilly. on. “We’ve got to go, we’re going the end of the corridor when d. nd out here and wait for Filch tous I’ll tell him the truth, that I was ack me up.” id Ron loudly. arry sharply. “I heard something.” squinting through the dark. Neville. He was curled up on the denly awake as they crept nearer.me! I’ve been out here for hours, Iword to get in to bed.” le. The password’s ‘Pig snout’ but dy’s gone off somewhere.” . them. “Madam Pomfrey mended56 ‘

THE MIDN “Good — well, look, Neville,see you later —” “Don’t leave me!” said Nevillewant to stay here alone, the Bloready.” Ron looked at his watch and tand Neville. “If either of you get us caughtthat Curse of the Bogies Quirreyou. Hermione opened her mouth,to use the Curse of the Bogies, buand beckoned them all forward. They flitted along corridors strithe high windows. At every turnor Mrs. Norris, but they were luckthird floor and tiptoed toward the Malfoy and Crabbe weren’t thglimmered where the moonlighplates, and statues winked silveredged along the walls, keeping theof the room. Harry took out his wstarted at once. The minutes crept “He’s late, maybe he’s chickene Then a noise in the next roomjust raised his wand when theywasn’t Malfoy. “Sniff around, my sweet, they m It was Filch speaking to Mr ‘ 15

NIGHT DUEL we’ve got to be somewhere, we’ll e, scrambling to his feet, “I don’t oody Baron’s been past twice al- then glared furiously at Hermione t, I’ll never rest until I’ve learned ell told us about, and used it on perhaps to tell Ron exactly how ut Harry hissed at her to be quiet iped with bars of moonlight from Harry expected to run into Filch ky. They sped up a staircase to the e trophy room. here yet. The crystal trophy cases ht caught them. Cups, shields, and gold in the darkness. They eir eyes on the doors at either end wand in case Malfoy leapt in and t by. ed out,” Ron whispered. made them jump. Harry had only heard someone speak — and it might be lurking in a corner.” rs. Norris. Horror-struck, Harry 57 ‘

CHAPTEwaved madly at the other three tothey scurried silently toward theNeville’s robes had barely whippheard Filch enter the trophy room “They’re in here somewhere,” thiding.” “This way!” Harry mouthed tbegan to creep down a long gallcould hear Filch getting nearer. Nened squeak and broke into a raround the waist, and the pair ofarmor. The clanging and crashing wcastle. “RUN!” Harry yelled, and thegallery, not looking back to seethey swung around the doorpostthen another, Harry in the lead, wor where they were going — thefound themselves in a hidden pcame out near their Charms classrfrom the trophy room. “I think we’ve lost him,” Harrywall and wiping his forehead. Neand spluttering. “I — told — you,” Hermioneher chest, “I — told — you.” “We’ve got to get back to Gryffas possible.” ‘ 15

ER NINE follow him as quickly as possible; e door, away from Filch’s voice.ped round the corner when theym. they heard him mutter, “probably to the others and, petrified, they lery full of suits of armor. They Neville suddenly let out a fright- run — he tripped, grabbed Ron them toppled right into a suit ofwere enough to wake the wholee four of them sprinted down the whether Filch was following — and galloped down one corridor without any idea where they were ey ripped through a tapestry andpassageway, hurtled along it and room, which they knew was miles y panted, leaning against the cold eville was bent double, wheezing gasped, clutching at the stitch in findor Tower,” said Ron, “quickly58 ‘

THE MIDN “Malfoy tricked you,” Hermithat, don’t you? He was never gosomeone was going to be in thetipped him off.” Harry thought she was probablyher that. “Let’s go.” It wasn’t going to be that simpdozen paces when a doorknob raing out of a classroom in front of t It was Peeves. He caught sightlight. “Shut up, Peeves — please — y Peeves cackled. “Wandering around at midnigNaughty, naughty, you’ll get caug “Not if you don’t give us away, “Should tell Filch, I should,” shis eyes glittered wickedly. “It’s fo “Get out of the way,” snappedthis was a big mistake. “STUDENTS OUT OF BEDENTS OUT OF BED DOWDOR!” Ducking under Peeves, they raof the corridor where they slammlocked. “This is it!” Ron moaned, as th“We’re done for! This is the end!” ‘ 15

NIGHT DUEL one said to Harry. “You realize oing to meet you — Filch knew trophy room, Malfoy must have y right, but he wasn’t going to tell ple. They hadn’t gone more than a attled and something came shoot- them. of them and gave a squeal of de- you’ll get us thrown out.” ght, Ickle Firsties? Tut, tut, tut. ghty.” , Peeves, please.” said Peeves in a sanity voice, but or your own good, you know.” Ron, taking a swipe at Peeves — ED!” Peeves bellowed, “STU- WN THE CHARMS CORRI- an for their lives, right to the end med into a door — and it was hey pushed helplessly at the door, ” 59 ‘

CHAPTE They could hear footsteps, Fitoward Peeves’s shouts. “Oh, move over,” Hermione sntapped the lock, and whispered, “A The lock clicked and the door sit, shut it quickly, and pressed the “Which way did they go, Peetell me.” “Say ‘please.’ ” “Don’t mess with me, Peeves, n “Shan’t say nothing if you don’tnoying singsong voice. “All right — please.” “NOTHING! Ha haaa! Told ydidn’t say please! Ha ha! HaaaaaaPeeves whooshing away and Filch “He thinks this door is locked,be okay — get off, Neville!” Forsleeve of Harry’s bathrobe for the Harry turned around — and sament, he was sure he’d walked imuch, on top of everything that h They weren’t in a room, as he hridor. The forbidden corridor onknew why it was forbidden. They were looking straight intdog that filled the whole space bthree heads. Three pairs of rolling ‘ 16

ER NINE ilch running as fast as he could narled. She grabbed Harry’s wand, Alohomora!” swung open — they piled througheir ears against it, listening. eves?” Filch was saying. “Quick, now where did they go?” t say please,” said Peeves in his an- you I wouldn’t say nothing if you a!” And they heard the sound of cursing in rage. ,” Harry whispered. “I think we’ll Neville had been tugging on the last minute. “What?” aw, quite clearly, what. For a mo- into a nightmare — this was toohad happened so far. had supposed. They were in a cor- n the third floor. And now they to the eyes of a monstrous dog, a between ceiling and floor. It hadg, mad eyes; three noses, twitching60 ‘

THE MIDNand quivering in their directionhanging in slippery ropes from yel It was standing quite still, all siknew that the only reason they wsudden appearance had taken it bting over that, there was no mgrowls meant. Harry groped for the doorknohe’d take Filch. They fell backward — Harry sran, they almost flew, back down tried off to look for them somewhhim anywhere, but they hardly caput as much space as possible bThey didn’t stop running until thLady on the seventh floor. “Where on earth have you all bbathrobes hanging off their should “Never mind that — pig snouthe portrait swung forward. Throom and collapsed, trembling, in It was a while before any of thelooked as if he’d never speak again “What do they think they’relocked up in a school?” said Ron fthat one does.” Hermione had got both her bagain. ‘ 16

NIGHT DUEL n; three drooling mouths, saliva llowish fangs. ix eyes staring at them, and Harry weren’t already dead was that their by surprise, but it was quickly get- mistaking what those thunderous ob — between Filch and death, slammed the door shut, and they the corridor. Filch must have hur- here else, because they didn’t see ared — all they wanted to do was between them and that monster. hey reached the portrait of the Fat been?” she asked, looking at their ders and their flushed, sweaty faces. ut, pig snout,” panted Harry, and hey scrambled into the common nto armchairs. em said anything. Neville, indeed, n. doing, keeping a thing like that finally. “If any dog needs exercise, breath and her bad temper back 61 ‘

CHAPTE “You don’t use your eyes, any“Didn’t you see what it was standi “The floor?” Harry suggested. “too busy with its heads.” “No, not the floor. It was standguarding something.” She stood up, glaring at them. “I hope you’re pleased with yokilled — or worse, expelled. Nowbed.” Ron stared after her, his mouth “No, we don’t mind,” he saidalong, wouldn’t you?” But Hermione had given Harryhe climbed back into bed. The dWhat had Hagrid said? Gringoworld for something you wantedwarts. It looked as though Harry hadtle package from vault seven hund ‘ 16

ER NINE y of you, do you?” she snapped. ing on?” “I wasn’t looking at its feet, I was ding on a trapdoor. It’s obviously ourselves. We could all have beenw, if you don’t mind, I’m going toh open. d. “You’d think we dragged her y something else to think about asdog was guarding something. . . . otts was the safest place in the to hide — except perhaps Hog-d found out where the grubby lit-dred and thirteen was.62 ‘

CHAPT HALLOMalfoy couldn’t believe and Ron were still attired but perfectly cheerful. Indeand Ron thought that meeting thexcellent adventure, and they wereIn the meantime, Harry filledseemed to have been moved fromspent a lot of time wondering whaprotection. “It’s either really valuable or rea “Or both,” said Harry. But as all they knew for surethat it was about two inches long,guessing what it was without furth Neither Neville nor Hermione ‘ 16