Гарри Поттер и Принц-полукровка
Hermione’s helping hand
Harryresistedthetemptationtolaugh,rememberingthatRonhadrefrainedfromdoingsoafterMalfoyhadbrokenHarry’snose;Hermione,however,lookedcoldanddistantallthewaydowntothestadiumthroughthecool,mistydrizzle,anddepartedtofindaplaceinthestandswithoutwishingRongoodluck.
AsHarryhadexpected,thetrialstookmostofthemorning.HalfofGryffindorHouseseemedtohaveturnedup,fromfirstyearswhowerenervouslyclutchingaselectionofthedreadfuloldschoolbrooms,toseventhyearswhotoweredovertherest,lookingcoollyintimidating.Thelatterincludedalarge,wiry-hairedboyHarryrecognizedimmediatelyfromtheHogwartsExpress.
"Wemetonthetrain,inoldSluggy’scompartment,"hesaidconfidently,steppingoutofthecrowdtoshakeHarry’shand."CormacMcLaggen,Keeper."
"Youdidn’ttryoutlastyear,didyou?"askedHarry,takingnoteofthebreadthofMcLaggenandthinkingthathewouldprobablyblockallthreegoalhoopswithoutevenmoving.
"Iwasinthehospitalwingwhentheyheldthetrials,"saidMcLaggen,withsomethingofaswagger."AteapoundofDoxyeggsforabet."
"Right,"saidHarry."Well...ifyouwaitoverthere..."
Hepointedovertotheedgeofthepitch,closetowhereHermionewassitting.HethoughthesawaflickerofannoyancepassoverMcLaggen’sfaceandwonderedwhetherMcLaggenexpectedpreferentialtreatmentbecausetheywereboth"oldSluggy’s"favorites.
