When the owls swept into the Great Hall as usual, everyone's attention was drawn to the long, narrow package borne by six long-eared owls.
Pomona knew it was Minerva's Christmas present for Harry. Although she had included a card telling Harry not to open it at the table, Pomona felt that had been entirely unnecessary.
"That's a broomstick, isn't it?" Hagrid said, looking at the owls.
Pomona stuffed a piece of peanut-buttered bread into her mouth, pretending not to know whom Hagrid was asking.
At last, the owls landed in front of Harry. Unsteady as they came down, they beat their wings and knocked all the food on the table over.
Harry picked up the card first, but his red-haired friend was already urging him to open the package.
He hesitated for a moment, then the green-eyed boy happily unwrapped it.
"Wow, it's a Nimbus 2000," said a Gryffindor boy at the same table, amazed and envious.
The reactions of those around him told Harry it was a good gift, making him even happier.
Out of the corner of her eye, Pomona saw Snape. His expression was stiffer than usual, his greasy hair hanging limp, making him look exactly like some great villain plotting against others.
Harry would not be going home for Christmas break. Minerva really ought to have waited until Christmas, after everyone had left, to give Harry the gift.
But then Harry would not have been able to meet Oliver Wood, who was going home for the holidays.
Worse still, Harry still had Potions before the break. She could practically foresee how much misery Snape would put him through in class.
"I'm doing this for his own good!" he had declared righteously the last time he ate at her place. "So he doesn't turn out like his