Christmas break always passed quickly, and on the day before term began, Hermione returned to Hogwarts Castle.
Not long after the holiday began, Hogwarts' Quidditch matches were about to resume. This time, Gryffindor would be facing Hufflepuff. Since the Gryffindor Quidditch team had beaten Slytherin, as long as they could defeat Hufflepuff, they would be able to face Slytherin in the House Cup final and claim the championship.
Irina, Hermione, and Ron were all cheering Harry on during his training.
However, when they learned that the referee for this match would be Professor Snape, Hermione and Ron's attitudes immediately changed.
In Hermione and Ron's eyes, it had been Professor Snape who had cursed Harry during the last match. Now that Professor Snape was serving as referee, he was probably planning to target Harry again.
Hermione said to Harry, "Don't play in the match!"
Ron added, "Just say you're sick!"
Hermione suggested, "Pretend you broke your leg!"
Ron proposed, "Actually break your leg!"
The other three immediately turned to stare at Ron. Making Harry actually break his leg—was he a spy or something?!
"I can't do that," Harry said helplessly. "Our Gryffindor Quidditch team has never had a substitute Seeker. If I pull out, Gryffindor probably won't even be able to play!"
While Hermione and Ron worried over Harry and Irina idly lounged nearby, Neville crashed headfirst into the Gryffindor Common Room.
Neville's legs were pressed tightly together. He had clearly been hit by a Leg-Locker Curse. If no one had helped him, he had probably hopped all the way here like a rabbit.
"Who did this?!"
Irina stood up, her face icy.
More than half a school year had passed, and Neville had long since become her friend. Someone had attacked her friend, so naturally she could not ignore it.