Chapter 28: Quidditch Match (Part 2)
Chapter 28: Quidditch Match (Part 2)
In his past life, when reading novels, Liam had often thought that wizards might have a masochistic streak. After all, their Quidditch matches always took place between Halloween and Christmas, which meant November to December.
Imagine standing on a high platform in the biting winter winds of the Scottish Highlands, a crowd of spectators braving the cold. The players had it even worse, flying around in the sky with no protection from the elements. From any perspective, it was a grueling task.
However, once Liam actually entered this world, he discovered the wizards' fanaticism for Quidditch. This passion made all the aforementioned issues seem trivial.
As he joined the crowd rushing to the Quidditch pitch, he noticed that almost the entire school had gathered in the stands surrounding the pitch. Many students brought binoculars to get a better view, but even with the seats elevated, it was sometimes difficult to see the action clearly.
Liam and a group of first-year students made their way to the highest row. To cheer on their classmate Harry, they had created a magical banner that read "Go, Potter!" with a dynamic image of a lion chasing a snake.
Madam Hooch, the referee, stood in the center of the pitch, holding her broomstick, waiting for the players from both teams.
When the players emerged from the changing rooms and walked onto the field, Madam Hooch addressed them: "Listen up, I want a fair and honest game from everyone."
Seamus then commented to the group, "Madam Hooch is warning the Slytherin team. They play a dirty game, especially their captain, Marcus Flint. Under his leadership, Slytherin often resorts to underhanded tactics."
"It seems that no matter where you go, there are always some who don't abide by the spirit of sportsmanship", Liam remarked. Hermione, Seamus, and a few other students who grew up in the Muggle world nodded in agreement.
"Everyone mount your brooms."
Everyone climbed onto their brooms.
Madam Hooch blew her silver whistle with a forceful blast.
Fifteen brooms rose from the ground, ascending high into the sky. The match began.
"The Quaffle is immediately snatched by Gryffindor's Angelina Johnson—what an outstanding Chaser she is, and quite attractive too—"
"Jordan!"
"Sorry, Professor."
Liam thought that, besides the players' impressive performances, the most entertaining part of Hogwarts' Quidditch matches was Lee Jordan's commentary. Not only did he describe the action with speed and accuracy, but his witty remarks and jokes added a lot of life to the broadcast.
Of course, because his commentary was biased and sometimes overly emotional, Lee Jordan was now closely monitored by Professor Mcgonagall.
"She's flying down the pitch, a beautiful pass to Alicia Spinnet, a talent spotted by Oliver Wood, who was just a reserve last year—the ball is passed back to Johnson, and then—oh no, the Slytherin team has taken the Quaffle. Their captain, Marcus Flint, has the Quaffle and is flying away—Flint soars like an eagle—he's going to score—no, Gryffindor's Keeper, Wood, makes a brilliant save, and Gryffindor has the Quaffle again—that's Katie Bell, one of Gryffindor's Chasers, darting around Flint in the air—ouch—that must have hurt—she was hit on the back of the head by a Bludger—the Quaffle is taken by the Slytherin team—that's Derrick Pucey speeding towards the goalposts, but he's taken down by another Bludger—the Bludger is deflected by Fred or George Weasley—those twins are impossible to tell apart—Gryffindor's Beaters are doing a great job, Johnson has the Quaffle again, and she's flying without any resistance—she's flying like the wind—dodging a Bludger—the goalposts are ahead—come on, Angelina—Blaise, the Keeper, dives in and misses—Gryffindor scores!"
The cheers of the Gryffindors echoed through the cold sky, mingled with the roars and curses of the Slytherins.
Harry circled back and forth in the air, seemingly still on the lookout for the Golden Snitch.
“The Slytherin team has the Quaffle,” Lee Jordan announced. “Chaser Pucey ducks under two Bludgers, dodges the Weasley Twins and Chaser Bell, and heads—wait a moment—is that the Snitch?”
Derrick Pucey, distracted by the golden flash that whizzed past his left ear, dropped the Quaffle, and a murmur rippled through the crowd.
It seemed Harry had spotted the Snitch as well, diving sharply to chase the golden streak. The Slytherin Seeker, Terence Higgs, had also seen it. The two raced side by side toward the Snitch—Chasers seemed to have forgotten their roles, hovering in the air, watching intently.
Harry was faster than Higgs—looking like he was about to catch the Snitch—
Bang! A wave of angry shouts erupted from the Gryffindors below—Marcus Flint had deliberately rammed into Harry, causing his broomstick to veer off course, but Harry clung to it tightly.
“Foul!” the Gryffindors shouted.
Liam also roared in the cold wind, gradually beginning to understand the allure of the game.
The match continued, with the Gryffindor team in a strong position, maintaining control of the Quaffle.
Suddenly, Harry started moving erratically in the air. Liam, who had been closely watching Harry, was the first to notice something was wrong.
Liam aimed his telescope at Harry and saw that his expression was tense, indicating that his broom was now out of control.
Hermione, noticing Liam's serious demeanor with the telescope, also looked in the same direction. By this time, Harry was beginning to drift away from the pitch, and some students had noticed the issue.
“What’s going on? Did the collision damage the broom?” Hermione asked, worried.
“It’s unlikely. The Nimbus 2000 can’t be damaged by a few collisions. The most probable scenario is that someone is using Dark Magic to interfere with the broom. Given the Nimbus 2000’s resistance to interference, the interferer must have considerable skill in Dark Magic, which is beyond the average student,” Liam replied.
“Look, Snape,” Hermione tapped Liam’s arm. “He’s staring at Harry and muttering a spell.”
Liam, still holding the telescope, said, “Notice his back—Quirrell is also staring at the sky and muttering.”
“What?” Hermione looked carefully in Quirrell’s direction. “What should we do now?”
“Follow me.” Liam led Hermione stealthily toward the faculty stands.
A minute later, they reached the back of the faculty stands. Following their plan, when Liam gave the thumbs-up, both of them simultaneously set Snape’s and Quirrell’s robes on fire.
After a few seconds, chaos erupted on the faculty platform, and the two of them slipped back to their seats.
(End of Chapter)
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