Reading Between the Lines

“Pathetic, Weasley,” said Snape, after a while, “Here – let me show you –”

He turned his wand on Harry so fast that Harry reacted instinctively; all thought of nonverbal spells forgotten, he yelled, “Protego!”

I could feel sleep trying to take me. My blinks were getting slower as my eyelids tried closing on me. “No,” I told myself. “Not yet! I’ve got another book after this one!”

His Shield Charm was so strong Snape was knocked off-balance and hit a desk. The whole class had looked around and now watched as Snape righted himself, scowling.

This was going so slow. The coffee and sugar was starting to wear off. I considered going to make more, but I felt too lazy and tired. I looked up at the clock; 1:37 AM. I groaned. In 5 and a half more hours, it would be 24 since I had started this mad bet. I forced myself to go on.

“Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal spells, Potter?”

“Yes,” said Harry stiffly.

“Yes, sir.”

“There’s no need to call me ‘sir,’ Professor.”

I suppressed a laugh into a snort. “I have to win this…” I muttered. My friend and I had made a bet to see who could read more Harry Potter in 24 hours. And I had to win…..I had no money to pay him if I lost. “Come on Harry!”

The words escaped him before he knew what he was saying. Several people gasped, including Hermione. Behind Snape, however, Ron, Dean, and Seamus grinned appreciatively.

“Detention, Saturday night, my office,” said Snape. “I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter…not even ‘the Chosen One.’”...