Harry looked into the stands. Colin was sitting in one of the highest seats, his camera raised, taking picture after picture, the sound strangely magnified in the deserted stadium.

'Look this way, Harry! This way!' he cried shrilly.
'Who's that?' said Fred.
'No idea,' Harry lied, putting on a spurt of speed that took him

as far away as possible from Colin.
'What's going on?' said Wood, frowning, as he skimmed

through the air towards them. 'Why's that first-year taking pic- tures? I don't like it. He could be a Slytherin spy, trying to find out about our new training programme.'

'He's in Gryffindor,' said Harry quickly.
'And the Slytherins don't need a spy, Oliver,' said George.
'What makes you say that?' said Wood testily.
'Because they're here in person,' said George, pointing.
Several people in green robes were walking onto the pitch,

broomsticks in their hands.
'I don't believe it!' Wood hissed in outrage. 'I booked the pitch

for today! We'll see about this!'
Wood shot towards the ground, landing rather harder than he

meant to in his anger, staggering slightly as he dismounted. Harry, Fred and George followed.

'Flint!' Wood bellowed at the Slytherin captain. 'This is our practice time! We got up specially! You can clear off now!'

Marcus Flint was even larger than Wood. He had a look of troll- ish cunning on his face as he replied, 'Plenty of room for all of us, Wood.'

Angelina, Alicia and Katie had come over, too. There were no girls on the Slytherin team – who stood, shoulder to shoulder, facing the Gryffindors, leering to a man.

'But I booked the pitch!' said Wood, positively spitting with rage. 'I booked it!'

'Ah,' said Flint, 'but I've got a specially signed note here from Professor Snape. I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team per- mission to practise today on the Quidditch pitch, owing to the need to train their new Seeker.'

'You've got a new Seeker?' said Wood, distracted. 'Where?'

And from behind the six large figures before them came a sev- enth, smaller boy, smirking all over his pale, pointed face. It was Draco Malfoy.