Chapter 208: Snape Takes Center Stage
Chapter 208: Snape Takes Center Stage
As the only Seeker among the four teams, Wood's prowess as a captain went without saying.
However, Kyle hadn't expected to score right off the bat. After a probing shot, he knew this match would be a tough one.
"This is going to be tricky."
Kyle's expression turned solemn, and he felt a twinge of regret.
It wouldn't be easy to shut out Gryffindor in this situation... He shouldn't have boasted to Cedric earlier.
On the other side, Wood smirked at Kyle, then threw the Quaffle to one of his teammates.
"And now, Gryffindor has the Quaffle... It's Chaser, Alicia Spinnet, a talent scouted by Oliver Wood himself. She was only a substitute player last year."
Lee Jordan continued his commentary, his voice noticeably louder and more passionate than before.
"The Quaffle goes to Katie Bell... Oh no, Hufflepuff has taken the Quaffle! It's Kyle again, he moves like he can really fly! How does he do it? Why isn't he a Seeker... Sorry, Diggory, no offense intended."
Cedric glanced at the commentary box, feeling exasperated. But Lee Jordan wasn't wrong; Kyle was an exceptional flyer.
As for why Kyle didn't try out for Seeker... Cedric had asked the same question before, even going so far as to say that Kyle need not consider his feelings and that he welcomed fair competition.
However, Kyle had refused outright, saying, "I enjoy the process of playing Quidditch, not just chasing after the Golden Snitch like a fool."
Being a Seeker was an important position, though... Cedric shook his head, feeling helpless, as he continued to scan the sky for the elusive Golden Snitch.
Meanwhile...
"And Kyle is back in front of the goal posts... Will he make the shot this time? Wait, he's passing to Harris! Wood has been fooled... Hufflepuff scores!"
"Damn... I didn't know Pokoff could be used like that!"
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall shouted.
"Sorry, Professor McGonagall. It won't happen again."
With Harris' successful goal, the score became 10-0. But just as the young witches and wizards were about to cheer, a sharp whistle pierced the air from the field.
It was Snape. He deemed Kyle's previous maneuver to avoid the Bludger a foul and canceled the goal.
The score returned to 0-0.
"That's unfair!" Harris shouted. "We already scored... Why didn't you say something earlier?"
Snape ignored his protest.
"It's useless to complain. Save your energy for the game," Kyle advised, well aware of Snape's nasty temperament. "At least he didn't award a penalty shot to Gryffindor. We still have a chance."
"I'm going to talk to Professor Sprout and Madam Hooch..." Harris waved his arm angrily. "If he's going to be the referee for the next match, we refuse to play!"
In the stands, many shared the same sentiment and voiced their dissatisfaction loudly.
But their words fell on deaf ears as far as Snape was concerned.
In the Gryffindor stands, Ron whispered excitedly to Hermione, "Looks like Harry was right. Snape really is targeting Kyle."
"It's wrong," Hermione frowned. "I've read 'The Magical World of Quidditch,' and Kyle didn't make any foul moves."
"Yeah, I know," Ron muttered. "But this benefits us... Ouch!"
Someone had poked Ron at the back of his head. It was Malfoy.
Ron tried to retort but ended up stammering incoherently. This was because Snape had just unfairly called a foul on Kyle, yet again.
"That's two..." Even Malfoy couldn't laugh anymore. Jealously crept into his voice as he said, "Damn, what did you lot do to get Professor Snape to favor you so much? Is it because none of you have any brains?"
"Then why don't you join the team, Neville Longbottom? With your empty head, perhaps Professor Snape will just hand over the Golden Snitch to you."
Neville's face turned crimson, and he spun around in his seat to face Malfoy. "Shut up, Malfoy! I'm not going to let you bully me anymore!" he stuttered.
Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle responded with mocking laughter. "Looks like you didn't learn your lesson last time. Do you want to try out the Leg-Locker Curse again? I bet it would be quite amusing to see you bouncing all the way back to the castle from the Quidditch pitch."
Neville's face grew even redder, and he clenched his fists tightly. But Malfoy paid no heed and continued his barrage of taunts.
Finally, Neville lost control. He flipped over the back of his seat, and before Malfoy knew what was happening, he was toppled to the ground.
Ron immediately jumped in to help, and together with Crabbe and Goyle, the five of them rolled into a scuffling mess on the floor, fighting more fiercely than the players on the pitch.
However, no one around them seemed to notice, as everyone was intently watching the game, including Hermione.
Her eyes were glued to the match, and just then, she saw Harry suddenly dive towards the ground as if he had spotted the Snitch.
But at that moment, Snape called another unwarranted foul on Kyle, and an enraged Hufflepuff Beater took out his frustration by swinging his bat.
A Bludger, speeding towards them, grazed Harry's nose, causing Snape to instinctively dodge.
By the time Harry regained his senses, the Golden Snitch had vanished from sight.
"Oh, damn it! Why did that have to happen now..." Harry muttered in frustration as he lifted his Nimbus Two Thousand, returning to mid-air.
...
From then on, the match essentially became the Severus Snape show. He blew his mysterious whistle, deducting at least fifty points from Hufflepuff.
And when the game reached the thirty-minute mark, as Harry and Cedric simultaneously dove for the Snitch, Snape inexplicably appeared right in front of Harry.
To avoid a collision, Harry had to change direction abruptly, veering off course.
But that simple maneuver cost him the best chance to catch the Golden Snitch.
In the end, Cedric caught it, winning by less than an inch.
Nevertheless, the game was over! Gryffindor: 180, Hufflepuff: 20.
As Harry dismounted his broomstick, disappointed, a hand landed on his shoulder. He looked up to see Dumbledore's smiling face.
"You did well," Dumbledore whispered so only Harry could hear. "Although it's a bit unfortunate, I'm glad to see you're not obsessing over that mirror all day... You're living a full life... Splendid."
(End of Chapter)
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