Rain poured down in sheets. Fat drops hammered the grass of the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch, spraying fine mist into the air, while fierce winds twisted the curtain of rain and blurred everything in sight.
Gryffindor's red robes and Slytherin's green robes crossed through the haze. Broomsticks whistled through the rain, their cries lost in the thunder.
From the Stands, students could often see nothing but a red or green blur flying behind the rain. As the crowd cheered, the two teams fought fiercely.
Oliver Wood kept his eyes locked on the Quaffle. Rain streamed from his fringe into his eyes, but he did not dare blink. He lunged sideways, blocked the Quaffle, and threw it to Angelina—that was his job as Keeper.
Angelina accelerated through the rain with the Quaffle, a red banner streaking across the sky. Then a tall man in green closed in rapidly from behind.
It was Marcus. His weight made him less agile, but his Nimbus 2001 was far superior to Angelina's Comet.
Fred and George swung their bats in perfect sync, striking the Bludgers one after another. The balls hurtled toward Marcus as he tried to ambush Angelina.
Marcus veered away at the last moment. A Bludger skimmed past his head, splashing rain across his face. George pulled a face at the furious Marcus and watched him turn red.
Harry lay low over his Broomstick, gripping the handle so tightly his knuckles ached. The wind nearly flipped him off.
From high above, Harry scanned the field and suddenly spotted a flash of gold. He dropped low and shot toward the ground like a missile. Malfoy noticed and followed close behind, one red blur and one green blur plunging toward the earth.
"Catch it, Harry!" Angelina shouted through the rain. She had just dodged Flint's vicious