Chapter 27: The Rules

Harry stared around the room. As soon as the door closed, the misty fog disappeared, leaving a clear view of the room.  It was an enormous room filled with floating candles, and in the middle, perched on the top of a crystal stand, was the Green Snitch. He could feel its presence even without the Goggles..

As Harry stepped forward, he saw someone appear out of thin air in front of him.

“So, I believe you already know the rules, or should I explain them to you?” asked Jeremy.

Harry didn't answer but glared at Jeremy, even though his insides were filled with terror. He didn't want to give Jeremy the slightest hint that he was scared of what lay ahead.

“Very well,” said Jeremy, looking at Harry suspiciously, “I thought giving you the book and the Welsing goggles would have helped you understand the rules, but I guess your mind is too thick for that sort of information.”

Harry knew Jeremy was provoking Harry to attack him, but he stopped himself.

“What book?” asked Harry.

Jeremy shook his head in amusement, saying, “That book with which you found out about the Green Snitch and Welsing Goggles. I gave it to Ron as a present for letting me live in his filthy house,” answered Jeremy, cackling, “But I wasn't stupid enough to give it to him in front of you.”

Harry felt around for his wand, but he remembered that his wand broke. Jeremy inserted his hands inside his robes and drew out the Welsing goggles.

“These,” said Jeremy, showing them to Harry, “Will only be useful if you search for the Snitch with the intention of killing the Challenger. But just so you know that cheaters suffer the most painful death. So don't think about cheating, Potter!”

Jeremy raised his goggles to his face. As he put them on, they dissolved into his eyes. As Jeremy looked at Harry, Harry jumped. His eyes were glowing bright green and were rotating continuously.

“So,” said Jeremy, “I don't think we should waste any more time. Let’s begin the game, shall we?”

Harry pulled out his goggles, and as he put them on, there was a twinge of pain in his eyes. The pain felt more worse than his scar.

As Harry opened his eyes, he gaped. Everything was clear to him. As Jeremy mounted on his broom, Harry copied him. Jeremy looked at Harry, smirked, and said, “Ready? Three… Two … One… Poor Victor!”

And with that, Jeremy soared into the air.