Chapter 70: Snape's Promise
Chapter 70: Snape's Promise
Jerry didn't interfere much with the ongoing feud between Draco Malfoy and Harry. His goal was to focus on learning magic and becoming stronger. Elevating his status among the students was simply a means to more effectively acquire more magical knowledge. Mediating disputes between a few kids wasn't worth the trouble!
The flying lesson ended, and it was already six o'clock. Jerry and the other young wizards made their way to the Great Hall, where a sumptuous dinner was already laid out on the tables. To be honest, the food at Hogwarts was generally quite good. While it wasn't as extravagant as the feast at the start-of-term banquet, there was always a good variety of meat dishes, such as beef and lamb, at every meal.
After dinner, Jerry was about to return to the dormitory for a quick nap to recover from the mental strain of using the Brain Booster. Suddenly, Professor Snape, dressed in his usual black wizard robes and expressionless, blocked his path.
"Follow me!"
With just those words, Professor Snape turned and walked toward his office. Although Jerry was confused, he obediently followed.
The Head of Slytherin's office was also on the lower level, along with the Potions classroom and the Slytherin common room. The office's decor was a perfect match for Snape's persona. Apart from a desk, the room was filled with various bottles containing animal and plant specimens and rare potion ingredients. At first glance, it looked like a storage room for potion materials. This also indicated that Snape was quite wealthy, as most of these valuable potion ingredients were likely his personal property.
"Madam Hooch has already told me about your performance in class. I hear you dove from a height of twenty feet and caught Neville Longbottom?"
Snape sat behind his desk, his eyes sharp as he looked at Jerry.
"Yes, I didn't expect it myself!"
Jerry relaxed when he realized it was about the flying lesson. He knew that although Snape outwardly detested Gryffindors, he actually cared for all the young wizards at the school and wouldn't cause trouble just because Jerry had saved a Gryffindor. Besides, he had earned ten points for Slytherin.
"You've never ridden a broom before!"
Snape continued.
Jerry nodded, a bit sheepishly.
"Excellent. Madam Hooch told me that you are the most suitable candidate for Seeker she has ever seen. Therefore, I want you to join the Slytherin Quidditch team as Seeker!"
Snape was direct and to the point.
"First-year students aren't usually allowed to join the Quidditch team, right?"
Jerry hesitated. He wasn't particularly interested in joining the Quidditch team. He felt that the time could be better spent on studying and improving his magical abilities. After all, Quidditch was just a sport. No matter how good you were at it, it wouldn't help much in a real fight, much like how being good at basketball or football wouldn't make you a better boxer.
Moreover, he didn't recall Voldemort ever being a Quidditch player.
"That's not your concern. I'll speak with Dumbledore."
Snape waved his hand dismissively.
"I've heard that our Slytherin team has always dominated Gryffindor. With such a strong team, there's no need to add a first-year student. Besides, I want to spend more time studying magic!"
Jerry slightly revealed his thoughts.
Snape nodded, appreciating Jerry's eagerness to learn, but he didn't abandon his original plan.
"Gryffindor has never been a concern for me. Over the years, they've never won, but that doesn't mean Slytherin always comes first.
Last year, Hufflepuff took first place, Slytherin second, Gryffindor third, and Ravenclaw fourth.
I want more than just beating Gryffindor; I want to beat Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff as well. That's why I need you to be the new Seeker."
It turned out that while Slytherin had consistently outperformed Gryffindor over the years, they hadn't always won the Quidditch Cup. Hufflepuff's team was also formidable, especially their Seeker, Cedric Diggory.
Seeing that Jerry was still hesitant, Snape added:
"A Nimbus 2000. If you agree to be Slytherin's Seeker, I'll give you the latest Nimbus 2000!"
"Deal!"
The Nimbus 2000 was the newest model of flying broom, with a top speed at least twice that of the Nimbus Three. Its performance in turning, braking, and other aspects was far superior to the Nimbus Three.
Jerry knew very well that, given his current inability to Apparate, a better flying broom could significantly increase his chances of survival in dangerous situations like the one he had faced before.
So, when Snape offered him a free Nimbus 2000, he agreed without hesitation.
Snape: "."
Truly, a worthy Slytherin. The moment he heard about the reward, his response was swift.
"Follow me!"
Seeing that Jerry had agreed, Snape stood up and led him to Marcus Flint, the Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team.
Marcus Flint looked incredibly strong, rumored to have Troll blood in his veins. He was a fifth-year student and had just become the Captain of the Slytherin team this year.
When he heard that Snape wanted to make Jerry, a first-year student, the most crucial Seeker, his eyebrows immediately furrowed.
"Headmaster, if he becomes the Seeker, what will happen to Terence Higgs?"
Terence Higgs was the previous Seeker for the Slytherin team.
"You lost to Hufflepuff last year, which shows he's not a suitable Seeker. Make him a reserve player!"
Snape narrowed his eyes and glanced at Marcus with a disapproving tone.
Marcus's heart skipped a beat, realizing that his question had already displeased the Headmaster. He quickly responded:
"Alright, then. We'll have Jerry come to the Quidditch pitch this Saturday, and I'll teach him the rules!"
Snape nodded in satisfaction and led Jerry back to his office.
In fact, Snape's trust in Jerry wasn't just based on Madam Hooch's words. He had also witnessed Jerry saving Neville.
"The Nimbus 2000 will be delivered in a few days. You can go now!"
Back in the office, Snape didn't say much and dismissed Jerry.
However, just as Jerry was about to leave, Snape's emotionless voice echoed behind him:
"If you perform well in Quidditch training, I'll allow you to come here in the evenings to study magic with me."
(End of Chapter)
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