The Deathday Party

           Octoberarrived,spreadingadampchilloverthegroundsandintothecastle. MadamPomfrey,thenurse,waskeptbusybyasuddenspateofcoldsamongthestaffandstudents. HerPepperuppotionworkedinstantly,thoughitleftthedrinkersmokingattheearsforseveralhoursafterward. GinnyWeasley,whohadbeenlookingpale,wasbulliedintotakingsomebyPercy. Thesteampouringfromunderhervividhairgavetheimpressionthatherwholeheadwasonfire. Raindropsthesizeofbulletsthunderedonthecastlewindowsfordaysonend; thelakerose,theflowerbedsturnedintomuddystreams,andHagrid’spumpkinsswelledtothesizeofgardensheds. OliverWood’senthusiasmforregulartrainingsessions,however,wasnotdampened, whichwaswhyHarrywastobefound,lateonestormySaturdayafternoonafewdaysbeforeHalloween,returningtoGryffindorTower,drenchedtotheskinandsplatteredwithmud. 

           Evenasidefromtherainandwindithadn’tbeenahappypracticesession. FredandGeorge,whohadbeenspyingontheSlytherinteam,hadseenforthemselvesthespeedofthosenewNimbusTwoThousandandOnes. TheyreportedthattheSlytherinteamwasnomorethansevengreenishblurs,shootingthroughtheairlikemissiles. AsHarrysquelchedalongthedesertedcorridorhecameacrosssomebodywholookedjustaspreoccupiedashewas. NearlyHeadlessNick,theghostofGryffindorTower,wasstaringmoroselyoutofawindow,mutteringunderhisbreath, "...don’tfulfilltheirrequirements...halfaninch,ifthat..."