Chapter 374: A New Team
Chapter 374: A New Team
As October arrived, the Quidditch season loomed near.
Cedric had been increasingly tense lately, always carrying a notebook with him and constantly scribbling in it wherever he went.
The books he read had also changed from 'The Development and Transformation of Medieval Curses' to 'One Hundred Quidditch Strategies Explained'.
In Cedric's own words, "Harris never lost a game when he was captain, and I must keep the Quidditch Cup with Hufflepuff this year."
On the second weekend of October, Kyle had planned to sleep in, but early in the morning, Cedric dragged him to the Great Hall without another word.
"Training, Kyle! You've missed three sessions already!"
As they ate their beef sandwiches, Cedric said seriously, "You're not going to bail on me again, are you..."
"Err...I don't think so," Kyle replied, feeling a bit guilty under Cedric's suspicious gaze.
Recently, the Mandrakes he had planted in the Room of Requirement had become more active, a sign that they were nearing maturity, though a few months later than expected.
Thankfully, they were finally ready.
To ensure nothing went wrong at the last minute, Kyle had spent every spare moment tending to them in the Room of Requirement, even during class breaks.
Not only had he missed Quidditch practices, but he'd also been incredibly busy.
The good news was that his efforts had paid off—the Mandrakes were healthy and mature, their cries resonantly robust, though he could only tell from their demeanor as he'd worn earmuffs the entire time.
"Are you sure you're okay now?" Cedric eyed him skeptically.
"Yes!" Kyle nodded.
The Venomous Tentacula would likely need a bit more time, probably until the end of the year.
But that was still a long way off.
And it was true that he'd missed several training sessions in a row since Cedric became captain, which could give the impression that he didn't respect Cedric as a captain.
Kyle didn't want to give anyone that misconception.
Being a captain was already a lot of work, having to recruit new members, devise training plans, and strategize for matches. It was better left to Cedric.
"That's best," Cedric said, taking a sip of pumpkin juice. "The matches are coming up soon, and no matter how busy you are, you need to make time for training and get familiar with the new team members... We've got four of them this time."
Four out of seven team members were new—it was almost an entirely new team. No wonder Cedric was genuinely nervous.
"Wait..." Kyle suddenly realized something and looked up. "How many did you say?"
"Four!"
"But I thought there were only three?" Kyle looked at him confusedly. "Two Chasers and a Keeper... I thought they were the only ones in this year?"
"Which just goes to show how little you've been paying attention to the team," Cedric replied, his gaze turning sharp once more.
But after a moment's hesitation, he explained, "Light, our seventh-year Beater, wants to join the Aurors after graduation, but his grades are just barely passable. Quidditch training takes up a lot of time, and to improve his chances of getting a few more certificates upon graduation... Just yesterday, he submitted his request to leave the team."
"Yesterday?" Kyle frowned. "Do you think Professor Hoey will approve a replacement at this late stage?"
"She already has," Cedric said. "Many students at the end of their time here struggle to choose between Quidditch and their exams. It's not uncommon. I suppose she doesn't want to hold them back from graduating, so any seventh-year student can leave the team at any time, even right before the final match."
"I have a few candidates in mind." Cedric lowered his voice. "I think your roommate, Mikel, would be a good choice."
"Mikel?" Kyle was surprised.
"Yes." Cedric said, "Remember in our second year when he clung to a Bludger and flew across half the pitch? Not everyone can do that; it requires a lot of arm strength. Now that I think about it, he seems to have a natural talent for being a Beater... Of course, he'll need some extra training."
After that, the two of them called over Mikel, who had just finished breakfast, along with two other students, and they all headed towards the Quidditch pitch.
However, just as they arrived, another group of people in red cloaks walked into the pitch, each holding a broomstick.
"Cedric?" Oliver Wood approached them with long strides. "I thought your training sessions were supposed to be in the afternoon?"
"That's correct, normally." Cedric explained, "But something unexpected came up, and Professor Hoey allowed us to book the pitch for today to select new team members."
"New team members? But it's already..." Oliver trailed off and then realized, "You mean your seventh-year Beater?"
"Yes, he stepped down to focus more on his studies, so we must hurry to choose a new Beater. Apologies, it seems like your team came at the wrong time."
Oliver Wood unconsciously smiled, but quickly restrained himself.
"No problem, your matter is obviously more important." He said lightly, seemingly unbothered by the interruption of their training time.
"I bet Oliver is secretly delighted."
On the way back, Fred whispered to Harry, "He's always thought of Hufflepuff as our biggest rival."
"But they're in a bit of a fix this year." George said, "Three of their veteran players graduated, plus Light leaving."
"So that means..." Harry thought for a moment, "More than half of the Hufflepuff team we'll face this year are inexperienced new players?"
"You got it!"
At that moment, Oliver Wood turned his head and said, "For us, this is a great opportunity... Hufflepuff's glory days are over, and we will definitely take back the Quidditch Cup from them this time!"
He clenched his fist, "Ever since Harry joined the team, I've always believed that winning the Quidditch Cup was a sure thing, but we've never been able to make it happen. This is our last chance..."
Wood was in his seventh year and would be graduating next year, so any achievements the team made after that would have nothing to do with him... He yearned for a victory.
...
"I bet Gryffindor is having a good laugh right about now." On the pitch, Kyle watched their departing figures and whispered, "But with so many experienced senior players leaving all at once, they didn't have much choice."
"But they got one thing wrong."
Cedric smiled and said, "New players don't necessarily mean weaker players. They can gain experience through the matches and improve over time."
"And..." He glanced at Kyle, "We have the best Seeker in Hogwarts."
"Well, you're not wrong about that." Kyle agreed without feeling embarrassed at all.
Cedric was indeed suitable to be the captain... At the very least, he had good judgment.
...
(End of Chapter)
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