Chapter 154: Quidditch
Chapter 154: Quidditch
At ten in the morning, the Quidditch pitch was bustling with excited fans.
Felix walked into the crowded stadium and climbed onto the nearest spectator platform. Suddenly, a thunderous cheer erupted from the field as a blurry figure in bright red robes scored a goal with the Quaffle.
Commentator Jordan Lee exclaimed, "What a beautiful goal! Gryffindor has managed to catch up a bit. The current score is sixty to thirty, with Slytherin still in the lead, thanks to their superior brooms."
"I have to praise Wood. Without him, Gryffindor's score would be even more lopsided!"
Felix's gaze swept over the other platforms, and he quickly spotted a middle-aged man with platinum blond hair in the green-decorated Slytherin section—Lucius Malfoy.
Beside him stood a timid House-elf.
Lucius's eyes were fixed on his son, Draco Malfoy, who was currently entangled with Harry. Using his superior speed, Draco performed a showy mid-air stop and turned back to say, "You're a bit slow, Scarhead?"
Harry gritted his teeth, ignoring Draco's taunt. His eyes darted around the field, recalling how Wood had been pushing them to the limit during the Easter break and the past week, calling them in for intense training sessions whenever they had a spare moment.
"We are at the peak of our history!" Wood had encouraged the players before the match.
Harry agreed. This was their best chance at the championship. He ascended higher, then suddenly veered, spun, and dove, tracing a zigzag path through the air.
Draco clung to his tail, but he no longer had the time to provoke Harry.
The intense chase lasted for two or three minutes, leaving Harry feeling slightly dizzy. He was forced to stop and catch his breath.
Slytherin quickly scored another goal.
Harry grew anxious. According to the three strategies Wood had outlined before the match, the ideal scenario was for Harry to catch the Golden Snitch as soon as possible, preventing Slytherin from extending their lead.
Slytherin's strategy, on the other hand, was to drag the game out. If the match lasted two or three hours, their superior brooms would give them the upper hand once the players' stamina ran low.
This was also why Draco had been harassing Harry.
On the platform, Felix calmly observed the match. Thanks to the Mind Acceleration and Enhanced Perception spells, he was in a highly sensitive state, able to detect the slightest changes in the wind and clouds.
The previously blurry figures became clear, and he could even see the fleeting expressions on the players' faces.
Felix mentally calculated the movements of the fourteen players on the field, trying to predict their trajectories.
It felt like a high-quality duel.
This was the first time he had truly appreciated the charm of Quidditch, though his reasons were different from those of the other spectators.
"Indeed, one shouldn't be too stubborn", Felix thought to himself.
When the score reached 110 to 60, a faint golden blur caught Harry's eye. At the same moment, Felix's gaze locked onto the small, golden figure.
Harry used a bit of cunning. He deliberately flew in the opposite direction, and Draco predictably followed. Just as Draco was about to turn back to mock Potter, he realized Harry had vanished from sight.
"He's under the platform!" a Slytherin player shouted.
Jordan Lee also noticed the scene. "Look! Harry has tricked Malfoy. He's chasing the Golden Snitch! We can't see him, but he must be in the stands!"
The stadium fell silent, and everyone held their breath.
Even the players on both teams paused mid-air, waiting for the outcome.
Wood, standing by the goalposts, angrily shouted, "Don't stop, Angelina, Katie, keep attacking!"
However, just a few seconds later, before they could organize their next offensive, Harry emerged clutching the Golden Snitch, circling the field in triumph as the crowd erupted in cheers.
"An incredible moment! Harry has caught the Snitch, and the game is over! Gryffindor wins with a final score of 110 to 210!"
Lucius Malfoy stood up, his face expressionless, and gave a slight nod. He kicked Dobby away and walked down from the platform.
After a moment, Felix also stood up and followed at a distance. Lucius stopped at the edge of the field, waiting for Draco to appear. A few young wizards gradually walked out of the stadium, excitedly discussing the match.
Felix pointed his wand at himself, and his blue robes gradually faded until they blended seamlessly with the surroundings.
He brushed past Lucius.
When Harry was surrounded by Gryffindors and walked out of the stadium, he caught a glimpse of Lucius scolding Draco, who had a miserable look on his face and remained silent.
This made Harry feel even more elated. Although there were still a few matches left, he was confident that Gryffindor would ultimately lift the Quidditch Cup.
After walking a short distance, Harry suddenly noticed a house-elf by Lucius's side.
His eyes widened. "It's Dobby!"
Dobby is a Malfoy's house-elf?!
Harry stared at Dobby in disbelief. Dobby also noticed Harry's gaze and looked over with his large, tennis-ball-sized eyes, waving at him.
But Lucius had finished scolding his son and was already striding away, with the little elf trailing behind him. Before disappearing, Dobby gave Harry a pitiful look.
...
That evening, in the Great Hall.
"You're saying what? Dobby is a Malfoy's house-elf?" Ron looked at Harry in shock, his chicken leg frozen mid-air.
"Shh! Keep your voice down", Harry glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention, then whispered to Ron and Hermione, "I saw it with my own eyes, just as we were leaving the stadium."
Hermione spoke cautiously, "Harry, what do you think? Is this all part of Malfoy's plot, or is Dobby acting on his own?"
Harry couldn't be certain. He could sense Dobby's respect for him, but he couldn't ignore the long-standing traditions of house-elves.
As they walked through the garden after leaving the Great Hall, they discussed the matter intensely.
"I believe Dobby can be trusted, Harry", Hermione analyzed, "The danger he warned about is the Chamber, which we've discussed. If it were all part of Malfoy's plot, he wouldn't have added unnecessary complications."
Harry tended to agree with this view, but Ron was more neutral. "While what you're saying makes sense, I've never heard of a house-elf disobeying their master's orders."
During their Runic Script tutoring session that evening, Hermione posed a question: "Can a house-elf disobey their master's orders?"
Professor Hep's response was cryptic, "Generally, no. But bonds cannot constrain free will."
...
(End of Chapter)
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