Chapter 22: The Journey
Ron nodded and ran up the stairs. Harry and Draco stared at each other in the awkward silence. As Harry opened his mouth, Ron charged downstairs and almost tripped over a rug. Malfoy's eyes widened at the sight of the broomstick.
“Oh. So you know, then?” said Draco.
“Know what?” asked Harry, looking at him.
“Oh, never mind. Let’s go!” exclaimed Draco.
Harry patted Ron on the back, saying, “See you, mate.”
But as Harry started to move, Ron grabbed his arm and said, “Will you be at P-P-Percy's funeral?”
Harry shook his head disappointedly and left with Malfoy. As they walked out of the house, Draco rounded on Harry.
“Listen, we don't have much time. So, I’m gonna tell you, quickly, about what’s going on,” said Draco, looking around, “You are the Chosen Seeker. I have to take you to the Challenger. I'll tell you everything else when we get there.”
As he moved forwards, he stopped abruptly, turned around, and said, “And we’re not going to Apparate. We’re going to use brooms.”
As Draco picked up his broomstick and sat on it, he said, “Follow me, okay. Ready? Three, two, one… Go!”
With immense force, Draco and Harry zoomed into the air. The wind was smacking Harry hard on his face, and his hair was flying all over his face. He followed Draco as fast as he could on Ron's broomstick. Even though he was trying his utmost to catch up with Draco, he couldn't. Ron’s petty broomstick was nothing compared to Draco's Nimbus Two Thousand and One.
But before Harry could think anymore on this matter, he felt a sudden surge of evil inside him; his eyes glowed red. He took out his wand and yelled, “Stupefy!”
A jet of red light soared straight towards Draco but missed him by inches, hitting his broomstick instead. It started wobbling uncontrollably. Draco looked back in terror, yelling, “What the hell are you doing, Potter?”
Harry didn't listen and yelled yet again, “Petrificus Totalis!”
The spell accurately hit Malfoy right on his back. He froze instantly, falling rapidly from the sky. Suddenly, there was a gust of wind; it nearly knocked Harry off his broom. Luckily, the strong wind brought him back to his senses.
“No!” screamed Harry, looking horrified.
He leaned on his broom and, with great effort, turned it in the direction of Draco, falling from the sky. Harry zoomed forwards as fast as he could, remembering what lay ahead. How could he get the Green Snitch on this slow broomstick?
Draco cried, “Come on! Move faster!”
He was sure he couldn't reach Malfoy in time. So, he simply yelled, “Aresto Momentum!”
Malfoy unfroze and slowed down considerably. Harry was only a few feet away from him. As he got near Draco, he tried to grab the handle of the broomstick; but missed it.
