of Gryffindor House took up the challenge enthusiastically, so that it was impossible for Harry to get to classes on time because he was surrounded by a vast, chattering crowd. Harry was more concerned for his Firebolt's safety than his own. When he wasn't flying it, he locked it securely in his trunk and frequently dashed back up to Gryffindor Tower at break times to check that it was still there. 

All usual pursuits were abandoned in the Gryffindor common room the night before the match. Even Hermione had Put down her books.

 "I can't work, I can't concentrate," she said nervously. 

There was a great deal of noise. Fred and George Weasley were dealing with the pressure by being louder and more exuberant than ever. Oliver Wood was crouched over a model of a Quidditch field in the corner, prodding little figures across it with his wand and muttering to himself Angelina, Alicia, and Katie were laughing at Fred's and George's jokes. Harry was sitting with Ron, Hermione, and Amelia removed from the center of things, trying not to think about the next day, because every time he did, he had the horrible sensation that something very large was fighting to get out of his stomach. 

"You're going to be fine," Hermione told him, though she looked positively terrified. 

"You've got a Firebolt!" said Ron. 

"And you got me," said Amelia, resting a hand on his shoulder. Normally she would have clapped him on the back and made a joke(and you got me to catch your clumsy ass), but this was not the time or place for making jokes.

"Yeah..." said Harry, his stomach writhing.

 It came as a relief when Wood suddenly stood up and yelled, "Team! Bed!" Harry slept badly. First he dreamed that he had overslept, and that Wood was yelling, "Where were you? We had to use Neville instead!" Then he dreamed that Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherin team arrived for the match riding dragons. He was flying at breakneck speed, trying to avoid a spurt of flames from Malfoy's steed's mouth, when he realized he had forgotten his Firebolt. He fell through the air and woke with a start. 

It was a few seconds before Harry remembered that the match hadn't taken place yet, that he was safe in bed, and that the Slytherin team