- •It was staring down Privet Drive as though it were waiting for something.
- •It winked.
- •I want my letter!" he shouted.
- •I want --" he began, but Uncle Vernon was tearing the letters into pieces before his eyes. Uncle Vernon didnt go to work that day. He stayed at home and nailed up the mail slot.
- •It started to rain. Great drops beat on the roof of the car. Dud ley sniveled.
- •In danger of being speared on the end of an umbrella by a bearded giant, Uncle Vernon's courage failed again; he flattened himself against the wall and fell silent.
- •It was a tiny, grubby-looking pub. If Hagrid hadn't pointed it out,
- •Vampires? Hags? Harry's head was swimming. Hagrid, meanwhile, was counting bricks in the wall above the trash can.
- •I never know," Harry called to Hagrid over the noise of the cart,
- •Vault seven hundred and thirteen had no keyhole.
- •In the middle, nothing at all.
- •I think he's been knocked out," Ron said to Harry. He looked closer at Scabbers. "No -- I don't believe it -- he's gone back to sleep-"
- •It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all, and that the Great Hall didn't simply open on to the heavens.
- •I'll eat myself if you can find
- •It happened very suddenly. The hook-nosed teacher looked past Quirrell's turban straight into Harry's eyes -- and a sharp, hot pain shot across the scar on Harry's forehead.
- •I've never seen anything like it. Was that your first time on a broomstick, Potter?"
- •It's really very selfish of you."
- •It quickly, and pressed their ears against it, listening.
- •I went looking for the troll because I -- I thought I could deal with it on my own -- you know, because I've read all about them."
- •It was Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry showed him.
- •In a low whisper, Harry told them what he'd seen.
- •I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I've read all about them!
- •I'm waiting."
- •It was stifling hot inside. Even though it was such a warm day, there was a blazing fire in the grate. Hagrid made them tea and offered them stoat sandwiches, which they refused.
- •It sneezed. A couple of sparks flew out of its snout.
- •It was a mark of how bad the last week had been that the other two agreed with him. Anything to get rid of Norbert -- and Malfoy.
- •Into a sweat.
- •I can't handle."
- •It was the first time Hermione had ever failed to answer a teacher's question. She was staring at her slippers, as still as a statue.
- •It was a bit late to repair the damage, but Harry swore to himself not to meddle in things that weren't his business from now on. He'd had it
- •It sounded as though someone was threatening him. Harry moved closer.
- •I'll take over from here."
- •It will be quicker this way.
- •It was Professor McGonagall, carrying a large pile of books.
- •I'm so worried, I think I got question fourteen b wrong....'"
- •I won't let you do it," he said, hurrying to stand in front of the portrait hole. "I'll -- I'll fight you!"
- •I must lie, he thought desperately. I must look and lie about what I see, that's all.
- •I will be able to create a body of my own.... Now... Why don't you give
- •I do believe he worked so hard to protect you this year because he felt that would make him and your father even. Then he could go back to hating your father's memory in peace...."
- •It seemed to be a handsome, leather-covered book. Harry opened it curiously. It was full of wizard photographs. Smiling and waving at him from every page were his mother and father.
- •It was the best evening of Harry's life, better than winning at Quidditch, or Christmas, or knocking out mountain trolls... He would
It was the first time Hermione had ever failed to answer a teacher's question. She was staring at her slippers, as still as a statue.
"I think I've got a good idea of what's been going on," said Professor McGonagall. "It doesn't take a genius to work it out. You fed Draco Malfoy some cock-and-bull story about a dragon, trying to get him out of bed and into trouble. I've already caught him. I suppose you think it's funny that Longbottom here heard the story and believed it, too?"
Harry caught Neville's eye and tried to tell him without words that this wasn't true, because Neville was looking stunned and hurt. Poor, blundering Neville -- Harry knew what it must have cost him to try and find them in the dark, to warn them.
"I'm disgusted," said Professor McGonagall. "Four students out of bed in one night! I've never heard of such a thing before! You, Miss Granger, I thought you had more sense. As for you, Mr. Potter, I thought Gryffindor meant more to you than this. All three of you will receive detentions -yes, you too, Mr. Longbottom, nothing gives you the right to walk around school at night, especially these days, it's very dangerous -- and fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor."
"Fifty?" Harry gasped -- they would lose the lead, the lead he'd won in the last Quidditch match.
"Fifty points each," said Professor McGonagall, breathing heavily through her long, pointed nose.
"Professor -- please
"You can't --"
"Don't tell me what I can and can't do, Potter. Now get back to bed, all of you. I've never been more ashamed of Gryffindor students."
A hundred and fifty points lost. That put Gryffindor in last place. In one night, they'd ruined any chance Gryffindor had had for the house cup. Harry felt as though the bottom had dropped out of his stomach. How could they ever make up for this?
Harry didn't sleep all night. He could hear Neville sobbing into his pillow for what seemed like hours. Harry couldn't think of anything to say to comfort him. He knew Neville, like himself, was dreading the dawn. What would happen when the rest of Gryffindor found out what they'd done?
At first, Gryffindors passing the giant hourglasses that recorded the house points the next day thought there'd been a mistake. How could they suddenly have a hundred and fifty points fewer than yesterday? And then the story started to spread: Harry Potter, the famous Harry Potter, their hero of two Quidditch matches, had lo st them all those points, him and a couple of other stupid first years.
From being one of the most popular and admired people at the school, Harry was suddenly the most hated. Even Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs turned on him, because everyone had been longing to see Slytherin lose the house cup. Everywhere Harry went, people pointed and didn't trouble to lower their voices as they insulted him. Slytherins, on the other hand, clapped as he walked past them, whistling and cheering, "Thanks Potter, we owe you one!"
Only Ron stood by him.
"They'll all forget this in a few weeks. Fred and George have lost loads of points in all the time they've been here, and people still like them."
"They've never lost a hundred and fifty points in one go, though, have they?" said Harry miserably.
"Well -- no," Ron admitted.