Chapter 233

Chapter 233

Magic caught Harry as Newton’s first law pulled him towards the ground. His fall slowed, and he drifted down like a leaf.

Harry landed safely, though his Nimbus had disappeared.

Nobody cared about that now. The Quidditch players still on the pitch landed one after another and crowded around him.

The dark clouds broke apart, and the downpour ceased. Sunlight finally spilled across the grounds from behind them.

“The match is over.” Madam Hooch blew her whistle. “Cedric Diggory caught the Golden Snitch. Hufflepuff wins.”

Cedric stood clutching the Golden Snitch, utterly bewildered. He had only just caught it.

Professor McGonagall’s voice rang out as well.

“Everyone, return to the castle immediately. The match is over!”

She appeared on the pitch, waved her wand to conjure a stretcher and placed Harry upon it.

Dumbledore had vanished as soon as Harry landed safely. No one knew where he had gone, but everyone had clearly seen the fury on his face.

By invading a Quidditch match full of pupils, the Dementors had plainly crossed the Headmaster’s final line.

Suer put away his wand. As he left, he glanced towards the pitch. Cedric was speaking to Madam Hooch with the Golden Snitch still in his hand, while Wood stood motionless, despair written across his face.

He had good reason to despair. Hufflepuff had beaten Gryffindor by one hundred points. Under Quidditch’s scoring system, Gryffindor would now have to defeat both Ravenclaw and Slytherin, while Hufflepuff would need to lose to Ravenclaw by at least two hundred points.

Only then would Gryffindor have a chance of taking the Quidditch Cup when all the final scores were added together.

He would have better odds of keeping his soul through a Dementor’s Kiss.

Suer could not remember whether Wood ultimately won the Cup that year. Merlin help him.

Perhaps Suer should advise Wood to burn a few stockings as an offering to Merlin. Adding several pairs of high heels might improve his chances.

That could wait.

At the castle entrance, Suer stopped George and Fred’s elder brother, Percy Weasley. As the new Head Boy and a Gryffindor himself, Percy was the easiest person to ask for help finding someone.

“Wait, Percy.” Suer hurried forward and blocked the new Head Boy just as he was about to pass through the oak doors.

“You’re…” Percy still looked badly shaken by the Dementors’ attack and his face was very pale. “I remember. Bones from Hufflepuff. Did you need something?”

“Nothing terribly important. I wanted to ask about a Gryffindor. As Head Boy, I assume you remember everyone in the house?”

“Naturally.” Colour returned to Percy’s cheeks as he straightened the gleaming badge upon his chest. “Ask away, Mr Bones.”

Suer laughed inwardly, but kept his expression solemn.

“Head Boy Weasley, have you ever heard the name Peter Pettigrew?”

“Pettigrew?” Percy repeated under his breath. He lowered his head and thought for a moment, then shook it with certainty. “I don’t remember any current Gryffindor pupil with that surname.”

“I see…” Suer nodded.

“Although…” Percy hesitated. “I think I may have seen a Pettigrew named in the trophy room. Judging by the dust on the award, he must have graduated many years before us.”

“Thank you, Mr Head Boy.” Suer offered his earnest thanks, as though Percy had solved a major problem for him.

Satisfaction flickered in Percy’s eyes. This sort of respect appealed to him enormously. He assumed a reserved expression and allowed himself a faint smile.

“Not at all, Mr Bones. As Head Boy, it is my duty to help fellow pupils with their little difficulties.”

“Come to me whenever you need assistance. That is the responsibility my position has given me.”
“What a good man our Head Boy is.” Suer bestowed this generous compliment, and Percy turned away in delight.

Suer remained where he was, lost in thought.

“What are you thinking about?” Hermione appeared at the castle entrance a little later. “I saw you talking to Percy.”

“I was asking whether he knew Peter Pettigrew.”

“And now you know?” Hermione tilted her head in confusion. “Why are you looking for this person? Who is he?”

“There isn’t any pupil at school called Pettigrew. He was a ‘martyr’ of the wizarding world and may have been connected to Black, the man who escaped from Azkaban. I want to learn more about him.”

Suer placed particular emphasis on the word martyr. Hermione missed it, but the name Black made her start.

“Black? He’s connected to Black?”

“Possibly. I’m still looking for answers.” Suer nodded. “Harry and the others have already gone inside. Aren’t you going to see him?”

“Oh, I nearly forgot. Ginny’s waiting for me.” Before Hermione ran through the doors, another thought occurred to her. “That spell you cast in the stands — was it the same one you used on the train?”

“The same one,” Suer confirmed.

“Will you teach me? I’d love to learn it,” Hermione asked eagerly.

“The Patronus Charm? Of course. It took me quite a while to master, though. Go and find Ginny now, and I’ll teach you in a few days.”

“Promise?” Hermione’s eyes curved with delight.

“I promise. But learning it will take up a great deal of your time. Are you sure?”

“Of course. Sometimes I…” Hermione nodded rapidly, then abruptly realised what she was saying and stopped. “Ginny’s still waiting. I have to go. I wonder whether Harry’s awake yet.”

Time-Turner, Suer silently supplied.

He shook his head and was about to enter the castle when Ron arrived, looking heartbroken and clutching a splinter of wood.

Suer paused with one foot raised. Good. There was one last uncertainty he wanted Ron to clear up.

“What happened, Ron?”

Ron sighed heavily and opened his hand to show Suer the fragment. A tiny silver plate upon it read: Model: Nimbus 2000.

“Harry’s Nimbus 2000. It’s gone…”

“Gone?”

“I went to look for it and found this near the Whomping Willow.” Ron shook his head mournfully. “Harry’s Nimbus…”

“It probably crashed into the Whomping Willow. You know how that tree feels about being struck.”

“What a shame.” Suer sighed in sympathy.

“It is. I don’t know how Harry will react. He took it out and polished it almost every day.” Ron closed his fist around the fragment and shook his head.

“I should see whether Harry’s awake. I hope he doesn’t ask about his broom.”

Suer nodded. “You go. By the way, where were you last night?”

“In the dormitory.” Ron’s raised foot halted as he answered without thinking. “Harry and I were discussing tactics for today’s match.”

“Why?”

“No reason. Go and see Harry. Madam Pomfrey has probably revived him by now.” Suer smiled and shook his head. “I have something else to do, so I’ll be off. Give Harry my regards.”

“All right.” Ron nodded in complete bewilderment. He watched Suer walk into the castle, shook his head and departed as well.