November comes, and brings winter with it. The mountains around the school become icy gray and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground's covered in frost, and Hagrid can be seen from the upstairs window defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves, and enormous beaverskin boots.

Quidditch season begins, and the first game of the season is Saturday. While Wood has been trying to keep the true extent of Victor's skill a secret, all of Gryffindor and Slytherin saw him rescue Neville's Remembrall, and no one doubts he'll be something to watch. Whether that's positive or negative depends on the commentator, though—some Slytherins have taken to loudly whispering about what tragic things tend to befall Seekers. Dayo's banter is more lighthearted, but they are one of Slytherin's Beaters, and they do in fact want to win—a fact that, together with their apparent skill at it, does more for their popularity in their House than whatever machinations they've been plotting with Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson.

They do suggest Quidditch Through the Ages as something that could be useful—or at least fun—to read before the game, as trivia or to get to know more about the history and rules of the sport.