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Chapter 207: Overwhelming Support
Chapter 207: Overwhelming Support
Time flew by, and soon it was the second week.
As the match approached, the entire Hufflepuff house grew tense and anxious, their minds preoccupied with the upcoming game. Even during the weekend, the common room saw no students studying or doing homework, a rare sight indeed.
This particular match would determine which team gained match point and the advantage in the final, so it was only natural that they took it seriously.
Harris was a bundle of nerves, pacing the common room like a wound-up toy and mindlessly swinging his broom back and forth as he repeated the same instructions for the umpteenth time.
Beside him, the two Chasers practiced their swings with wooden bats, determined to make up for their lack of skill with sheer hard work.
Everyone at Hogwarts knew that the Weasley brothers from Gryffindor were the best Chasers.
Faced with such formidable opponents, the Hufflepuffs could only hope to close the skill gap through relentless practice.
Kyle feared that at this rate, the two Chasers might end up in the hospital wing with dislocated arms before the match even started.
Fortunately, Professor Sprout came to their rescue with a pot of cheerful sunflowers, a rare plant akin to the magical three-headed dog, whose blooms and leaves were key ingredients in cheering up potions.
Since Hufflepuff's victory in the previous year, Professor Sprout had taken a keen interest in Quidditch.
The sunflowers she brought were not only beautiful but also excellent for soothing frayed nerves.
Kyle couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy, but now was not the time for distractions.
Finally, lunchtime arrived, and as they entered the Great Hall, all eyes turned towards them.
Surprisingly, aside from Gryffindor, the entire hall was rooting for Hufflepuff.
Needless to say, the Slytherins would rather see anyone but Gryffindor win.
The Ravenclaws, however, had more complex motives. While they had been shut out in their previous match, a resounding loss for Gryffindor this time would erase some of the sting of their own defeat.
See? It's not that we're weak; it's just that our opponents are too strong. Anyone would lose to them.
It was like an exam where one perfect score didn't matter as long as everyone else failed.
In a way, a zero and a failing grade were not that different.
For Gryffindor, this was the first time they had encountered such overwhelmingly one-sided support, a treatment usually reserved for Slytherin.
During lunch, Wood was so angry that he nearly sliced his steak into mincemeat.
"Pay no attention to what they say; we're the best!"
Seeing the gloomy atmosphere around him, Wood pushed aside his mutilated steak and tried to rally his teammates. "Support doesn't win matches. We will show them who the strongest team in Hogwarts truly is!"
"You're absolutely right!"
Chaser Angelina also pushed her plate aside and raised a cup of pumpkin juice high. "Let's show them who's the best!"
As her words rang out, two more cups of pumpkin juice were raised in the air.
"Hey, don't forget who we are—Gryffindor!"
"This kind of attitude has no place at our table."
It was Fred and George.
"Yes, you're right."
"We're gonna win for sure!"
More and more people joined in, raising their cups, and soon everyone was laughing, the previous gloom vanquished.
Harry was among them, his arms raised high, his face flushed with excitement.
...
After lunch, the match was about to begin.
"Captain, you've said this eight hundred times already. Let's just have a moment of quiet," said the Keeper, Oliver Wood, peering out the door and taking a deep breath. "The stands are full of our supporters, and I'm feeling even more nervous than last year's final. What if I don't perform well..."
"Oh my, who's that...? It's Dumbledore!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening.
"Dumbledore?" The room fell silent as everyone rushed to the door to confirm.
"Fantastic!" Harris exclaimed, waving his arm excitedly. "If Dumbledore is here to watch the match, Snape won't dare to make things too difficult for Kyle!"
Harris' biggest worry had just been resolved, lifting a weight off his shoulders.
Soon, the locker room door opened, and the team lined up to make their way onto the pitch.
"Look, the Hufflepuffs are entering the field!" Lee Jordan's voice rang out from the commentator's box.
"They're the crowd favorites, and their skills are no less impressive than Gryffindor's. In their last match, they defeated Slytherin and didn't even let Ravenclaw score a single point against them," he added, taking a subtle dig at the two teams supporting Hufflepuff.
However, his words were quickly drowned out by boos and a shower of snack wrappers and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, with a couple of shoes mixed in.
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall chastised, waving her wand at him. "That's quite enough, young man. I suggest you stick to impartial commentary."
"Oh, sorry, Professor McGonagall. I'm just calling it as I see it," Lee Jordan replied, undeterred.
Even Snape, who was officiating the match, gave him a stern glare, contemplating whether to give Jordan a taste of Kyle's treatment in his next Potions class.
Lee Jordan shivered, sensing a malevolent force bearing down on him.
Realizing he had incited the wrath of the entire crowd, he decided to play it safe and stick to straightforward commentary.
"That commentator sure knows how to get under your skin," Cedric whispered as they took their positions on the field. "If we lose, we'll be embarrassed, and we'll also be handing Gryffindor an advantage."
"Don't worry, we'll win," Kyle assured him with a smile. "As long as we also shut out Gryffindor, he won't dare spout that nonsense again."
"Then I'd better catch the Snitch quickly," Cedric replied, grinning back.
Soon, the captains shook hands, Madam Hooch blew her whistle, and the match commenced.
Taking advantage of his superior broom, Kyle swiftly claimed the Quaffle.
Harris followed closely behind, and the two sped toward Gryffindor's goal posts in perfect sync.
Chasers Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet attempted to intercept them, but their brooms couldn't match the speed of the Firebolt and Nimbus 2000, leaving them far behind.
Kyle effortlessly dodged a Bludger sent their way by Fred Weasley with a quick swerve.
As they approached the scoring area, Kyle feigned a pass to Harris on his left, then pulled back and threw the Quaffle toward the right goal post.
The crowd fell silent, every eye fixed on the Quaffle.
Only Lee Jordan continued his rapid-fire commentary: "Kyle's taking the shot... it's a fake... can Wood... beautiful move! Wood saw it coming and blocked the shot. Gryffindor regains possession!"
(End of Chapter)
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