As with any school, sport isplays an important part ofin student life. At Hogwarts, that sport is Quidditch, and it serves as both a unifying force and a divisive element. Students are bound by their love ofand enthusiasm for the sportgame, but their Houses also compete against one another to win the Quidditch Cup, as well as the House Cup. Though these rivalries are generally friendly, Slytherin and Gryffindor have always been particularly competitive. Their rivalry soon becomes a metaphor for the themes of good andvs evil in the series, as Wizards either align themselves with Voldemort or fight him and his Death Eaters.
Meanwhile, Hermione's friendship with Harry and Ron continues to growdevelop, and her intelligence and generosity are already proving useful. Initially it is the small (comparative to what comes later) matter of helping Harry with his homework when he becomes overwhelmed by the extra Quidditch practices, but she moves quickly and decisively to protect Harry when she sees that his broom is being tampered with during the game, risking his life.
As seen by the jinxed broom during the game, someone has malicious intentions against Harry, and it certainly seems obvious that it is Snape. We also have seen that Snape appears to have a particular interest in the forbidden third-floor corridor, the trap door, and perhaps what is underneath it.
