Chapter 639: A New Broom for School
Chapter 639: A New Broom for School
As Cedric had anticipated, challenges from various individuals awaited him during the D.A. gatherings over the next two weeks.
The silver lining, however, was that Fred and George, the two he was most concerned about, had remained uncharacteristically quiet... Of course, this also meant that he had to remain vigilant against their potential schemes.
Cedric also encountered another issue. Due to the need to avoid unfavorable weather conditions for Quidditch practice, it was challenging to consistently determine a specific day for their gatherings.
Fortunately, they soon devised a solution.
Inspired by the rewards from their ventures in the Room of Requirement, Hermione crafted a batch of fake coins enchanted with a Changing Charm.
Whenever the number on the master coin changed, the rest would follow suit, allowing them to promptly inform others of the next gathering's timing.
It proved to be rather convenient.
Fred and George realized the potential of using these coins for cheating, but their idea was promptly squashed by Cedric before it could take root.
Cedric would never permit such an action, and thankfully, it had only been an idea floating in their mischievous minds.
After all, cheating tools were fundamentally different from their previous prank products. If they were caught, the consequences could be far more severe than mere point deductions and detentions.
They didn't want to be expelled from school; that would be humiliating and could potentially tarnish the reputation of their future Weasley Joke Shop.
A shop owned by exemplary graduates would undoubtedly sound much more appealing than one run by expelled students.
"Here, this is for you," Cedric said one morning at breakfast as he handed a fake coin to Kyle.
"Even though you haven't been attending lately, I thought it would be better to give you one anyway."
Kyle took the coin and held it in his hand, inquiring, "Is this a goblin coin?"
"To be precise, it's a replica of a goblin coin created using the Replication Charm," Cedric clarified. "The enchantment on actual goblin coins only lasts for half a day, but this way, we can extend its effectiveness to approximately a year."
"That's a brilliant idea," Kyle commended.
"We're quite familiar with the Replication Charm, so it's only natural that we'd know all its applications," Cedric replied with a smile, his thoughts drifting back to the frenzied days spent in an empty classroom, replicating maps.
Kyle returned the smile and then tucked the coin away. "Are you guys planning to gather again soon?"
Cedric shook his head. "Probably not this week. Gryffindor has their first Quidditch match on Saturday, so they won't have any free evenings this week."
"I figured as much," Kyle agreed.
With the Quidditch match fast approaching—the first one in over a year—everyone was invested, including the professors.
In recent days, brooms could be spotted soaring above the Quidditch pitch almost daily, belonging either to Gryffindor or Slytherin.
On Cedric's last attempt to secure pitch time, Madam Hooch had informed him that Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape had already reserved the pitch for the entire upcoming week.
Although this went against the rules, she couldn't very well refuse when two professors approached her directly.
The team understood, knowing that if Hufflepuff were playing on Saturday, it would be Professor Sprout making the request to Madam Hooch.
Perhaps it was for the best; they could use a break.
...
As the match drew nearer, the tension between Gryffindor and Slytherin escalated, with both houses brimming with animosity.
Regardless of year or house, students couldn't help but exchange mocking remarks whenever they crossed paths in the corridors.
Worrington continued to boast about knocking Harry off his broom during meals in the Great Hall, though Kyle remained skeptical of such claims.
However, this seemed to be Slytherin's tactic as they relentlessly targeted every Gryffindor player, except for Harry. Ron was also a focal point of their attention.
Millicent, Pansy, and Malfoy even prepared a little skit to mock the scenario of Ron fumbling and dropping the Quaffle.
This made Ron nervous every day.
Finally, November arrived.
The weather turned colder, and the wind outside the castle felt like knives against the skin, but inside the castle, the atmosphere was fiery hot.
Today was the day the Quidditch match would begin.
Early in the morning, Kyle, Connor, and Cedric left the common room and made their way toward the Great Hall.
They had donned scarlet and gold scarves, with a lion emblem, signifying their support for Gryffindor.
The Great Hall was livelier than usual, filled with bustling voices.
Apart from the anticipation of the upcoming match, there was another reason for the excitement...
At the front of the hall, near the teachers' table, a row of brand-new, gleaming brooms was displayed.
There were thirty brooms in total, each one sparkling and pristine, with the fresh scent of pine resin still lingering on the smooth handles.
"Wow, those are Cleansweep Elevens!"
A crowd had gathered in front of the teachers' table, their eyes gleaming with desire as they gazed at the brooms.
"I saw those in the Quality Quidditch Supplies shop in Diagon Alley. They're the newest model this year."
"They're so beautiful..."
"Are all these brooms for the Quidditch players?"
"Ahem, ahem."
Just as everyone was discussing the brooms excitedly, a soft cough interrupted them.
Umbridge had somehow appeared in the Great Hall, and upon seeing her, the students quickly dispersed and hurried back to their respective tables, though their eyes remained glued to the row of brooms.
Umbridge coughed softly once more, drawing everyone's attention.
She stepped forward and said with a smile, "Yes, you're not mistaken. These brooms are for all of you."
It was as if someone had told them that Christmas had come early, and the Great Hall erupted with cheers and shouts of joy.
Umbridge had to hold her wand to her throat to amplify her voice and be heard over the students' enthusiasm.
"As a Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry, I noticed that the school has been using brooms that are thirty years old.
"The Ministry believes that the increasing number of injuries during Quidditch matches at Hogwarts is largely due to the aged brooms.
"Thus, the Ministry has decided to provide a new set of superior brooms for Quidditch matches and flying classes."
"Oh!"
The Great Hall echoed with more cheers, along with praises for the Ministry.
Umbridge was pleased with the students' reaction, and she turned to look at Professor McGonagall and the others, a smug expression on her face.
But Professor McGonagall was equally delighted and didn't seem to mind Umbridge's provocation at all; she even nodded amicably at her.
The lack of annoyance or anger on the professor's face made Umbridge feel a bit uncomfortable.
"Was it you?" Connor instinctively looked at Kyle.
She didn't think the Ministry would spend such a large sum of money on new brooms for the school, and Umbridge certainly wouldn't care about student injuries.
"Well... I can't afford that much," Kyle blinked and lowered his voice. "I just made a small suggestion."
(End of Chapter)
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