Гарри Поттер и узник Азкабана
Grim Defeat
TheCaptainswalkeduptoeachotherandshookhands;DiggorysmiledatWoodbutWoodnowlookedasthoughhehadlockjawandmerelynodded.HarrysawMadamHooch’smouthformthewords,"MountYourbrooms."HepulledhisrightfootoutofthemudwithasquelchandswungitoverhisNimbusTwoThousand.MadamHoochputherwhistletoherlipsandgaveitablastthatsoundedshrillanddistant—theywereoff.
Harryrosefast,buthisNimbuswasswervingslightlywiththewind.Hehelditassteadyashecouldandturned,squintingintotherain.
WithinfiveminutesHarrywassoakedtohisskinandfrozen,hardlyabletoseehisteammates,letalonethetinySnitch.Heflewbackwardandforwardacrossthefieldpastblurredredandyellowshapes,withnoideaofwhatwashappeningintherestofthegame.Hecouldn’thearthecommentaryoverthewind.Thecrowdwashiddenbeneathaseaofcloaksandbatteredumbrellas.TwiceHarrycameveryclosetobeingunseatedbyaBludger;hisvisionwassocloudedbytherainonhisglasseshehadn’tseenthemcoming.
Helosttrackoftime.Itwasgettingharderandhardertoholdhisbroomstraight.Theskywasgettingdarker,asthoughnighthaddecidedtocomeearly.TwiceHarrynearlyhitanotherplayer,withoutknowingwhetheritwasateammateoropponent;everyonewasnowsowet,andtherainsothick,hecouldhardlytellthemapart...
WiththefirstflashoflightningcamethesoundofMadamHooch’swhistle;HarrycouldjustseetheoutlineofWoodthroughthethickrain,gesturinghimtotheground.
