Chapter 27: Quidditch Match - Part 1
Chapter 27: Quidditch Match - Part 1
Liam was completely unfamiliar with Quidditch. Clearly, what he had seen in movies was nothing like the real thing.
So when his classmates were discussing Quidditch, Liam felt a strange sense of awkwardness standing by. However, Hermione, who was also a Quidditch novice, found a solution: she borrowed a book from the school library called "Quidditch Through the Ages."
The book was not at all dry; it covered almost everything related to Quidditch. For example, there were seven hundred ways to commit a foul in a Quidditch match, all of which appeared in a World Cup game in 1473 (what exactly happened in that game?). Seekers, who are usually the smallest and fastest players, seem to suffer the most severe Quidditch accidents (indeed, Harry almost always got injured during matches, Liam noted).
Although deaths during Quidditch matches are rare, it is said that referees often vanish without a trace, only to reappear months later in the Sahara Desert (probably a case of corrupt referees getting their comeuppance).
Thanks to this book, Liam could finally engage in Quidditch conversations with his classmates, even if he was just a casual fan.
Quidditch was a big deal at the school, but for non-athletes like Liam, other things were important too. He spent almost all his free time in the greenhouse, honing his skills in cultivating and controlling magical plants. Professor Sprout was delighted, as most students disliked getting their hands dirty with soil.
Professor Sprout also told Liam that if he maintained this attitude, he would have no problem getting into her N.E.W.T. class.
In addition to this, Liam and Hermione practiced spells and potion-making together. To practice their spells, they created some small gadgets.
For instance, Hermione used magic to create a bright blue, portable flame. Liam transformed an empty jam jar into a brass hand warmer, carrying the flame to keep warm. The damp and cold Scottish Highlands winters were particularly uncomfortable, especially when they had to leave their rooms.
The day before Harry's match, Liam and Hermione decided to cheer him up. They met Harry and Ron in the courtyard and formed a circle, chatting and warming themselves with the brass hand warmers.
At that moment, Snape crossed the courtyard. Harry immediately noticed that Snape was limping.
He had a bit of a phobia about Snape, so he lowered his head, pretending not to be there. Unfortunately, Harry's nervous movements caught Snape's attention. He limped over, seemingly looking for a reason to scold him.
"What's that in your hand, Potter?"
It was "Quidditch Through the Ages." Harry showed it to him.
"Library books are not allowed outside the school", Snape said. "Give it to me. Gryffindor loses five points." "He just made that rule up", Harry muttered angrily as Snape limped away.
"I wonder what's wrong with his leg." "I don't know, but I hope it hurts", Ron said gleefully.
However, Harry needed the book to relax before the match. After finishing their homework, Hermione lent him the copy of "Quidditch Through the Ages" she had borrowed.
Harry read the book for a while, feeling a bit uneasy. He thought of Madam Pince, the librarian, waving a feather duster and scolding students who didn't treat the books with care. This thought gave him a sudden surge of courage.
Why should he be afraid of Snape? With that, he stood up and told the others that he was going to ask Snape if he could return the book.
"You're very brave, Harry. Good luck", Liam said, patting his shoulder.
After Harry crawled out of the passage, Ron looked at Harry's back and said, "I wouldn't dare to do that." Liam and Hermione nodded in agreement.
Almost ten minutes later, as Liam and the others were discussing how to reduce the points deducted in Potions next time, Harry returned looking disheveled.
Liam, noticing Harry's breathless state, asked, "What happened?"
Harry lowered his voice and said, "I just saw one of Snape's legs covered in blood, the flesh torn and mangled. Filch was applying some medicine. He also said, 'How can you possibly keep an eye on three heads at once?'"
Harry paused, giving them time to process the information, then continued, "Do you know what this means? On the eve of Halloween, he was trying to get past that Three-Headed Dog! When we saw him, he was heading there—looking for whatever that dog is guarding! I'd bet my broomstick that he let that troll in to distract everyone!"
"No—no, he wouldn't", Hermione quickly said, "I know he's not the nicest, but he wouldn't steal something Dumbledore has so carefully protected."
"Let's be honest, Hermione, you always think all the teachers are saints, but I think Snape is capable of this", Ron said bluntly.
Liam interjected, "But there's one point to consider. Snape is the Head of Slytherin; he should know what's in the school. Besides, as a professor at Hogwarts and a master of potions, I don't think he lacks anything. Also, the last time we saw that dog, it attacked anyone who entered. So the injury only proves that Snape might have been in that room, not that he wanted to steal anything."
"Alright, you might be right", Harry said. "I'm going to bed. We have a match tomorrow." With that, Harry stumbled up the stairs.
Hermione stared at Liam, "Do you really think Professor Snape isn't a thief?"
"I don't know", Liam shrugged and shook his head. "But there's no concrete evidence. We can't just confirm he's done something wrong based on these few observations."
They sat for a while longer, but with no heart for reading, they wished each other goodnight and went to bed.
...
The next morning dawned bright and cold. The Great Hall was filled with the enticing aroma of grilled sausages, and everyone was buzzing with excitement, looking forward to a thrilling Quidditch match. Liam, too, felt his spirits lift, as if he were back in his primary school days, eagerly anticipating a sports day.
As he entered the Great Hall, Liam saw that the others were already there. Hermione was trying to persuade the only unhappy person at the long table, Harry, who looked tense and wound up.
"You need to eat something."
"I don't want anything."
"Have a piece of toast", Hermione coaxed.
"I'm not hungry."
Liam walked over, "Sports are very demanding. You can't fly on an empty stomach."
Seamus chimed in, "Harry, you need to be in top form. The Seeker is always the main target for the opposing team."
"Thanks", Harry said, watching Seamus slather thick tomato sauce on his sausage (British people seem to put tomato sauce on everything).
As the clock neared eleven, everyone made their way to the Quidditch pitch, where the match was about to begin.
(End of Chapter)
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