At breakfast the next day, the seven of us are sitting together but Harry isn't really eating.
"Take a bit of toast, mate, go on," Ron says.
"Ron's right Harry, you're going to need your strength today."
"Let him leave his food," Draco says as he passes. "Gives my girl a better chance of beating him."
He leaves and Hermione watches.
"Ignore them, Harry," I say. "You're gonna do great out there."
"Good luck today, Mr Potter," Snape says. "Then again, now you've proven yourself against a troll, a little game of Quidditch should be easy work for you... even if it is against Slytherin."
He limps away.
"That explains the blood," Harry says.
"Blood?" Hermione asks.
"Now whose not paying attention!" Ron smirks.
"Listen, last night, I'm guessing Snape let the troll in as a diversion so he could try and get past that three headed dog, but he got himself bitten, that's why he's limping."
"But why would anyone go near that dog?"
"The day we were at Gringotts," Hollie says. "Hagrid took something out of one of the vaults, said it was Hogwarts business, very secret."
"So you're saying..."
"That's what the dog's guarding," Harry cuts her off. "That's what Snape wants."
We hear the light screeching of an owl and we look up to see Hedwig flying over with a wrapped broomstick. I smile as he flies overhead and drops the broomstick into Harry's arms before flying away.
"Bit early for mail isn't it?" Ryan asks.
"But I never get mail."
"Let's open it," Ron says.
We untie the string and pull off all the paper.
"It's a broomstick," Harry says with surprise.
"That's not just a broomstick Harry, it's the Nimbus 2000," Bam says.
"But who..." Harry begins before he notices me smiling.
"You're welcome!"
"You bought this for me?"
"I thought you deserved the best broom if you're going up against Emberlee."
"Thank you!"
"Take more than an up to date broomstick to beat me," Emberlee says and we look up to see her standing behind Bam and Ryan, alone this time.
"Keep out of my way today and you'll be sorry."
"Oh, go eat troll dung, Emberlee," Ryan says. "I'm sure there's some in the dungeon."
"I won't tell you again," she says before she walks away.
~Emberlee's POV~
As I make my way to the starting box with the rest of my team, Draco comes over.
"Good luck!"
"I don't need luck; he's just a little brat. He won't beat me."
Draco gives me a kiss before I continue with the others.
"Look Emberlee," Marcus says. "The whole school knows you hate your younger siblings but I want you to leave that hate here, in the box. Go out there with a clear head and play fair."
The door opens.
"Whatever!" I say before I fly off.
"Hello, and welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season," Lee announces into the mike. "Today's game, Slytherin verses Gryffindor."
We take our positions and I glare at Harry.
"The players take their positions as Madam Hooch steps out onto the field to begin the game."
"Now I want a nice clean game," Madam Hooch says as she looks at me. "From all of you."
She kicks the chest and the two Bludgers fly up, followed by the Snitch.
"The Bludgers are up, followed by the Golden Snitch. Remember, the Snitch is worth 150 points. The Seeker who catches the Snitch ends the game," Lee announces.
The Snitch flies up past me before it hovers round Harry like it's trying to tease me but I'm ready. I've been a Seeker since last September so I have an advantage against Harry.
Madam Hooch picks up the Quaffle and throws it up.
"The Quaffle is released... and the game begins!" Lee declares.
I stay put, and move out of the way of the other players and the Bludgers while I look out for the Snitch.
My team mates take down Wood and Johnson before I see Harry flying around and realise he's chasing the Snitch so I also give chase.
As I approach, Harry's broom begins to bounce him and shake him around like it's lost its mind.
I laugh as I race after the Snitch.
After a few minutes, he's beside me and to my surprise, he nudges me so I nudge him back as the Snitch continues flying in front of us.
I nudge him hard and he moves away but he's quickly back beside me as we chase the small golden ball.
"I told you to stay away from me."
"And I'm telling you not a chance."
The Snitch races to the ground and as we drawer closer, I pull up, thinking he'll crash and burn but when I turn, he's standing on his broom, chasing the Snitch just above ground.
"No!" I growl through gritted teeth as he reaches for it.
As I race back down, he puts his foot to the front of his broom but falls off and rolls.
I laugh again but I cannot see the Snitch so I stop and watch him until he stands.
He grabs his stomach like he's going to throw up and I hold my breath.
He spits out the Snitch and it lands in his hand – I cannot believe it.
"He's got the Snitch," Lee announces.
Through anger and hatred, I fly off and return to my dorm.
~Draco's POV~
When I see Harry spit the Snitch into his hand, my gaze instantly goes to Emberlee before she flies away.
"This isn't good!"
I turn and make my way from the stands – Crabbe and Goyle at my heels – and we hurry back to the dorm, which Emberlee is trashing.
"I can't believe it," she screams as she turns to me. "That little brat caught my Snitch."
"Emberlee, calm down."
"How can I calm down? First they take my parents away from me, now my title. It's not fair."
She picks up a vase and throws it, hitting Crabbe in the hand.
"Ow!"
"Please, Emberlee," I beg. "Before you hurt yourself."
She falls to the floor and begins to sob so I wrap my arms round her.
"Why did this have to happen to me? What did I do that was so wrong?"
"None of this is your fault."
Some of the others come in, including the other players.
"What the hell is going on here?" Marcus asks.
He looks at the two of us.
"Emberlee, sort out this grudge you have or I will be forced to report you. I know you think your brother and sisters are to blame for all your misfortunes but they had nothing to do with it so man up and face reality."
He turns to leave but stops and turns back.
"You have an hour to clean up this mess."
He and the others go up the stairs to the bedrooms and I turn to Emberlee but she says nothing.