Chapter 288: An Eye for an Eye
Chapter 288: An Eye for an Eye
As the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin drew near, tensions escalated between the two houses, with minor scuffles breaking out and a few students already ending up in the hospital wing.
However, the situation currently favored Slytherin; the Gryffindor team had just been reorganized, and the new players needed more time to adapt and gel as a team.
Moreover, they were up against Slytherin, and Charlie was concerned about the players' safety. He knew the sort of people on the Slytherin team. Those guys would stop at nothing, no matter how underhanded, to reclaim the Quidditch Cup.
The previous year, Gryffindor's victory had been due to the resilience of the veteran players, who could not only withstand Slytherin's malicious tactics but also counter them forcefully.
"Don't feel pressured. After all... we already have the Cup!"
At that moment, in the changing room, Charlie was giving his final pep talk, though he seemed to realize his own lack of confidence and quickly added, "Also, remember to protect yourselves during the game."
"Don't worry, we all know what Slytherins are like," Wood said reassuringly.
"The game hasn't even started, and you're making it sound like we've already lost," McLaggen said, clearly unhappy with Charlie. He thought Charlie should have more confidence in his players.
"Oh, of course," Charlie muttered, then walked out of the changing room first to face the audience's applause.
"What happened last year?"
After the regular players had left the changing room, Katie finally asked the question that had been on her mind.
McLaggen also perked up his ears to listen, curious as to why Charlie had told them to protect themselves.
"You'll see soon enough. It wasn't a pleasant game," Albert said, signaling for Erica to head to the stands.
"You don't seem very optimistic about this game," Erica remarked.
"I think there'll be a brawl again. This time, we're at a disadvantage," Albert mumbled.
Erica was speechless. The Gryffindor and Slytherin teams had never played a proper game; every match devolved into a chaotic fight.
The game began with a blast from the referee's whistle.
True to their reputation, the Slytherins were determined to avenge their previous loss and launched a fierce offense against Gryffindor, scoring the first point amid boos from the audience. Their actions were clearly intentional.
"Bloody hell, they did it on purpose!" Katie exclaimed, shaking her fist in the direction of the Slytherin players. She finally understood what Charlie had meant—Angelina had almost been knocked off her broom by one of the opposing Chasers.
"As expected of Slytherin, they've committed the first foul," Lee Jordan shouted, his voice carrying across the pitch, "Using underhanded tactics, they've taken the lead... Look, Gryffindor is counterattacking... Yes, George nudged him... Oh, but the referee blew the whistle..."
Intense clashes occurred right from the start of the game.
"You're right. Unless Charlie catches the Snitch, Gryffindor's chances aren't high," Kenneth Towler said glumly as he sat down next to Albert.
He had little choice; many more people had bet on Slytherin winning, and if Slytherin did emerge victorious, he would lose a significant amount of Galleons.
What annoyed him the most was that Albert, that blasted guy, had bet on Slytherin committing the first foul and had even offered high odds.
"How many people bet on Slytherin winning?" Albert asked curiously.
"Fifteen," Towler replied.
"You won't lose that much, though. The odds for Slytherin are only 0.8 to 1," Albert pointed out.
"Yes, but more than half of those bets were placed by you!"
"There's no use whining about it now, Kenneth Towler," Albert said, his tone implying that he had decided not to involve Towler in his bets next time.
"Wait, I only bet five Galleons," Albert asked in confusion, wondering why Towler was making such a fuss over a small sum.
"That's still a substantial amount!" Towler exclaimed, feeling his heart bleed at the loss. Despite Gryffindor's victory the previous year, not many people believed in their chances this time around, especially with the new players on the team.
"You wouldn't be thinking of..." Towler trailed off, his eyes narrowing.
"I'll give you your principal back, and I'll even throw in an extra three Galleons. Just leave me alone after that!" Towler offered, deciding to cut his losses and settle the matter privately.
"Five Galleons," Albert countered without hesitation.
"Fine!" Towler begrudgingly pulled out ten Galleons from his pocket and handed them over to Albert with a pained expression. Katie and McLaggen, who were witnessing the exchange, were left stunned.
"I thought gambling wasn't allowed at school?" McLaggen spoke up, his eyes darting between Albert and Towler.
"When did you ever see me gambling?" Albert retorted, shooting McLaggen a sidelong glance.
"If I'd known, I would've placed a bet too," Alicia muttered enviously.
"Don't be foolish," Albert scoffed at Alicia, "Do you really think Kenneth here would pay up privately instead of backing out of the bet?"
Alicia's eyes widened as she realized the implication of Albert's words.
"Despicable! I hope Fred is alright. Those Slytherins have resorted to dirty tricks again. The referee should send their Beater off the pitch!" Lee Jordan's voice rang out as one of the Slytherin Beaters viciously struck Fred with his bat, knocking him off his broom.
Professor McGonagall was too enraged by Slytherin's underhanded tactics to stop Lee's commentary. Although Gryffindor had gained possession of the Bludger, the point gap between the two teams was widening.
80-30.
Slytherin was in the lead, and it wouldn't be easy for Gryffindor to turn the game around unless their Seeker, Charlie, could catch the Snitch soon and end the match.
"How did we beat Slytherin last year?" Katie asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Last year, we had a lot of senior players who were skilled at dealing with Slytherin's aggressive style," Alicia explained, "After the match, quite a few players from both teams ended up in the hospital wing."
"I remember last year; Albert caught the Snitch, it was a huge upset, and I made a killing!" Towler chimed in, hoping that Gryffindor would pull off another victory this year.
"Last year, we used the Transylvanian Fake quite effectively," Albert recalled with a wink, "Look, Fred and George are doing a great job with it now."
The corners of the others' mouths twitched as they watched Fred land a solid punch on the face of the Beater who had just tried to sneak attack him.
However, Fred's situation wasn't much better, as he was now being targeted by both of Slytherin's Beaters, and the opposing Seeker was hovering nearby with the Bludger, ready to strike.
Seeing the danger, Charlie immediately called for a time-out to prevent the twins from being overwhelmed.
"They've tarnished the name of this Quidditch match! We'll get our chance to knock them down a peg!" Charlie roared angrily, his fists clenched. "Let's show Slytherin that Gryffindor isn't to be messed with!"
"It's about time! Just like Albert said, an eye for an eye!" Fred and George shouted in unison.
As Albert walked out of the changing room, he was greeted by the stunned expressions of Alicia and the others.
"Did you really say that?" Alicia asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"And you believed them?" Albert rolled his eyes, unable to take her question seriously.
(End of Chapter)
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