19.The Lion and the Serpent(200)

Chapter 19: The Lion and the Serpent

Quidditch season begins, and tensions between Gryffindor and Slytherin are at an all-time high. The rivalry culminates in a particularly heated match, during which Slytherin players resort to dirty tactics and insults to provoke the Gryffindors. Harry, as the Gryffindor Seeker, faces intense pressure and hostility. Despite the Slytherins’ attempts to undermine them, Gryffindor wins the match. However, the victory is overshadowed by a post-match brawl initiated by Draco Malfoy’s taunts about Harry’s mother and Ron’s family. Harry, George, and Fred Weasley are all given lifetime bans from Quidditch by Umbridge, who uses the incident as an excuse to exert more control. This decision devastates Harry and his friends, as Quidditch has been a vital outlet and source of joy for them. The ban also serves to further isolate Harry and intensify his resentment towards Umbridge. The chapter underscores the increasing oppression at Hogwarts and the ways in which Umbridge manipulates events to tighten her grip on the school. Despite these setbacks, the spirit of resistance within Dumbledore’s Army remains strong, and the group continues to meet and train in secret, finding strength in their unity and defiance.