chap10pg1

Much to Harry�s delight, Malfoy received a large amount of punishment without Harry�s influence. For one thing, Professor McGonagall gave him detention for a full week with Filch. He was kicked off the Slytherin Quidditch team too. Harry heard from some other students that Joel McCrea, the Slytherin captain, told Malfoy that he was �a horrible seeker,� that he had �a lack of any judgment� and that he �could take his stupid brooms back,� they could �do better without them.� Malfoy was steaming mad, and Harry knew that if Marcus Flint had been the captain, Malfoy probably would have been congratulated instead of booted off.
But Harry still wanted to get Malfoy back. He decided to wait for the next potions lesson that he had with Malfoy, so he could try to put an unwanted ingredient into his mix. He had to do it stealthily, though, because if Snape saw anything, then Harry would probably get detention as well. Unfortunately, Harry�s next potion lesson wasn�t for another two days, so he would have to wait.
The Halloween feast that night was spectacular as usual. Live bats fluttered around the ceiling. The ceiling was made to look like a storm, and jack-o-lanterns were used everywhere instead of candles. The food was splendid, but Harry couldn�t help feeling guilty that Ron was in the hospital wing, instead of the seat next to him. He looked at Hermione, and he could tell that she was obviously thinking the same thing.
�D�you think we should go visit him after dinner?� she asked.
�Yeah,� he agreed, �We can bring him some food.�
After the feast, Harry and Hermione grabbed as much food as they could, and brought it up to the hospital wing. Ron was there, sadly looking out the window. When they walked in, he instantly lit up.
�Hey guys!� he exclaimed, grinning. He still had a small mark on his forehead, but it looked much better.
�We brought you food,� Harry said, happy to see that his best friend had improved. Harry and Hermione stood there smiling as Ron took huge bites out of everything in front of him.
�So,� asked Hermione, �Still up to playing keeper?� Ron gave her a nauseous look. Harry started laughing.
�Ron,� he said, �Malfoy was kicked off the team! I don�t think you have to worry about getting hurt by any more bludgers!� Ron relaxed and swallowed his mouthful of food.
�I guess I�ll still play,� he said hesitantly, �I just never knew how dangerous Quidditch was. Now at least I�m prepared for injuries.� Harry�s stomach flipped.
�Listen,� Harry said, �I really had no idea that Malfoy was going to do that. If he hadn�t, you wouldn�t have gotten hurt, so please don�t be mad at me.� Ron smiled.
�Of course I�m not mad at you,� he said, �It�s not your fault that Malfoy�s an idiot.� They were all laughing when an owl suddenly flew into the room and landed on Ron�s bed. Harry picked it up and noticed that there was a letter attached to its leg. He untied it, and the owl soared off.
�It�s addressed to me,� he said, surprised.
�Open it then,� Ron insisted.