Chapter 207: Overwhelming Support
Chapter 207: Overwhelming Support
And so, the second week arrived.
As the match approached, everyone in Hufflepuff grew tense, unable to focus on anything else. It was the weekend, yet not a single person in the common room was doing their homework.
The outcome of this match would determine who secured the match point and held the advantage in the final round, a crucial factor they couldn't afford to overlook.
Harris was so nervous that he resembled a wound-up toy, aimlessly pacing the room with his broomstick and repeatedly reciting the safety instructions he had already mentioned a dozen times.
Beside him, the two Beaters endlessly practiced their bat-swinging motions.
Everyone at Hogwarts knew that the Weasley brothers from Gryffindor were the best Beaters.
To avoid holding the team back, they could only compensate for their skill gap through this kind of practice.
However, Kyle felt that if they continued like this, the two Beaters might end up in the hospital wing with arm fatigue before the match even started.
Fortunately, Professor Sprout brought a pot of sunflowers that could soothe emotions, saving their arms from exhaustion.
Ever since Hufflepuff won the championship last year, Professor Sprout had started paying more attention to Quidditch matches.
The sunflowers she brought this time were a rare plant, somewhat resembling the three-headed dog from the magical creatures, and were extremely rare.
Apart from soothing emotions, their flowers and leaves were also key ingredients for Felix Felicis.
Kyle was a bit envious, but now wasn't the time to think about sunflowers.
Finally, it was noon, and as they entered the Great Hall, all eyes turned towards them.
Surprisingly, everyone in the Great Hall, except for the Gryffindor students, was supporting Hufflepuff.
The Slytherins, of course, needed no explanation. They preferred Hufflepuff's victory over their own defeat.
The Ravenclaws had mixed feelings. Although they had been shut out in the previous match, if Gryffindor suffered a significant defeat this time, it would redeem their honor.
See, it's not that we're weak; it's just that the opponent is too strong. It doesn't matter who comes; it's the same.
It's like an exam; getting a perfect score doesn't matter as long as everyone else fails.
In a way, there's not much difference between a zero and a failing grade.
For Gryffindor, this was the first time they encountered such overwhelming support, and this treatment was usually reserved for Slytherin.
During lunch, Wood was so frustrated that he almost smashed his plate.
"Ignore what others say; we're the best!"
Seeing the somber atmosphere around him, Wood pushed away the steak on his plate, which had been cut into mincemeat, and cheered his teammates, "Support doesn't mean anything. We'll win the match and show them who the best team at Hogwarts is!"
"You're right!"
The Seeker, Angelina, also pushed away her plate and raised a glass of pumpkin juice, saying firmly, "Let's show them who the best team is!"
As she spoke, more people raised their glasses.
"Hey, don't forget we're Gryffindor!"
"This kind of attitude shouldn't be on our table!"
It was Fred and George.
"Yeah, you're right!"
"We'll definitely win!"
More and more people raised their glasses, and soon everyone was laughing, dispelling the somber atmosphere in an instant.
Harry was among them, his arms raised high, his face flushed with excitement.
...
After lunch, the match was about to begin.
As students gradually arrived at the Quidditch pitch, the stands became increasingly lively.
In the team's locker room, Harris, as usual, delivered his motivational speech.
"Captain, you've said these words eight hundred times. Let's just have a moment of quiet," said Keeper Ferrol, peeking out the door. Taking a deep breath, he continued, "The stands are filled with our supporters, and I feel even more nervous than during last year's finals. What if I don't perform well... Wait, who's that... Oh my, it's Dumbledore!"
The locker room fell silent for a moment as everyone rushed to the door to confirm.
"This is great!"
After seeing the silver-white beard, Harris excitedly waved his arm, "If Dumbledore is here to watch the match, Snape won't dare to make things too difficult for Kyle!"
The biggest problem troubling him was instantly solved, and Harris felt a sense of relief.
Soon, the locker room door opened, and the team members lined up to head towards the field.
"Look, the Hufflepuff team is entering!"
The original novel can be read on the 69 Book Bar! 6=9+Book_Bar, the first release of this novel.
On the stands, Lee Jordan's voice could be heard.
"They are the most favored team, and their strength is no less than Gryffindor's. In the previous match, they defeated Ravenclaw from Slytherin, and they couldn't even score a single point against them."
Jordan's words were clearly intended to belittle the two teams supporting Hufflepuff.
However, his words were quickly drowned out by a chorus of boos, as a rain of candy wrappers and Every Flavor Beans, along with a few pairs of shoes, came flying towards him.
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall waved her wand and gave him a disapproving look.
"Oh, sorry, Professor McGonagall, I was just speaking the truth."
The boos grew louder around him.
Even Snape, who was officiating the match, glared at Lee Jordan, thinking about giving him a taste of Kyle's treatment during the next Potions class.
Lee Jordan suddenly felt a chill, as if something terrifying had its eyes on him.
Realizing he had angered everyone, he stopped adding his personal opinions and started to provide a more neutral commentary.
"This commentator really knows how to mess with our minds. If we lose, it will be embarrassing, and we'll become a stepping stone for Gryffindor," Cedric said quietly on the field.
"It's okay. We'll win," Kyle said with a smile. "As long as we also give Gryffindor a zero, he won't dare to say such things again."
"Then I'll have to catch the Golden Snitch quickly," Cedric added with a laugh.
Soon, the team captains shook hands, and Madam Hooch blew her whistle to start the match.
Kyle, with his advantage of a faster broomstick, quickly grabbed the Bludger.
Harris followed closely behind him, and the two of them swiftly rushed towards the Gryffindor goalposts.
Angelina and Spinnet tried to intercept, but their brooms couldn't keep up with the Comet 2000, so they could only follow from a distance.
A Bludger hit by Fred was easily dodged by Kyle with a quick sidestep.
As Kyle approached the scoring area, he pretended to pass the ball to Harris on the left, then threw it towards the right goalpost with a backhand throw.
The cheers from the stands stopped, and everyone watched the Bludger with tension.
Only Lee Jordan continued his rapid commentary:
"Kyle is throwing... Another feint... Wood can... Beautiful, Wood sees through his trick, and the ball is blocked. The initiative is now with Gryffindor!"
(End of Chapter)
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