Гарри Поттер и Принц-полукровка
Hermione’s helping hand
Pleasedthoughhewaswithhischoices,HarryhadalsoshoutedhimselfhoarseatthemanycomplainersandwasnowenduringasimilarbattlewiththerejectedBeaters.
"That’smyfinaldecisionandifyoudon’tgetoutofthewayoftheKeepersI’llhexyou,"hebellowed.
NeitherofhischosenBeatershadtheoldbrillianceofFredandGeorge,buthewasstillreasonablypleasedwiththem:JimmyPeakes,ashortbutbroad-chestedthird-yearboywhohadmanagedtoraisealumpthesizeofaneggonthebackofHarry’sheadwithaferociouslyhitBludger,andRitchieCoote,wholookedweedybutaimedwell.TheynowjoinedKatie,Demelza,andGinnyinthestandstowatchtheselectionoftheirlastteammember.
HarryhaddeliberatelyleftthetrialoftheKeepersuntillast,hopingforanemptierstadiumandlesspressureonallconcerned.Unfortunately,however,alltherejectedplayersandanumberofpeoplewhohadcomedowntowatchafteralengthybreakfasthadjoinedthecrowdbynow,sothatitwaslargerthanever.AseachKeeperflewuptothegoalhoops,thecrowdroaredandjeeredinequalmeasure.HarryglancedoveratRon,whohadalwayshadaproblemwithnerves;Harryhadhopedthatwinningtheirfinalmatchlasttermmighthavecuredit,butapparentlynot:Ronwasadelicateshadeofgreen.
Noneofthefirstfiveapplicantssavedmorethantwogoalsapiece.ToHarry’sgreatdisappointment,CormacMcLaggensavedfourpenaltiesoutoffive.
