Chapter 87: Conflict, Broken Words
Chapter 87: Conflict, Broken Words
On the weekend, Hogwarts seemed deserted as nearly all the students flocked to the Quidditch pitch. This time, it was a match between Ravenclaw and Slytherin.
As a Ravenclaw, Vid naturally joined his classmates in the stands.
In truth, Vid had never been particularly interested in Quidditch. While soaring freely on a broomstick could be enjoyable, the sport, in his opinion, was downright foolish, with its risk of broken necks and high-altitude collisions at fifty feet in the air.
Being a spectator wasn't much better. The Golden Snitch was so tiny that it was barely visible except for the occasional flash of gold, and the Seekers seemed to spend most of their time idly flying at high altitudes. The other players sometimes moved faster than cars on a highway, with the tiny Bludgers and Quaffle zipping back and forth between them. Vid suspected that most people couldn't follow the game at all and relied solely on the commentary to know when to cheer.
Nonetheless, the students adored this sport. Of course, anyone cooped up in a boarding school with a relentless academic focus would embrace any collective activity unrelated to studying—even if it meant weeding the lawns or picking up trash in the nearby streets.
Vid was an exception because the joy and sense of accomplishment he derived from his magical studies far surpassed any form of competition.
Suddenly, a thunderous cheer erupted from the stands, and Vid, after a moment's pause, joined his classmates in polite applause.
Ravenclaw had won the game.
The Seeker, a senior boy, held his right hand high, the Golden Snitch fluttering between his fingers. He rode his broomstick in a high-speed spiral around the pitch, displaying the Snitch to everyone. Countless hands reached out, eager to touch his hand or give him a high-five as if he were a celebrity.
"Ravenclaw! Ravenclaw! Ravenclaw!"
Even the Gryffindors in the stands joined in the chant, delighted to see Slytherin lose more than anything else.
The Slytherins left with gloomy faces.
"We're not far behind Hufflepuff in points, and now we've beaten Slytherin," Michael calculated excitedly as they made their way back to the castle. "Maybe Ravenclaw will win the Quidditch Cup this time!"
"You're not this enthusiastic about the House Cup," Vid pointed out.
"How can you compare the two?" Michael scoffed. "I heard from Shuraya in third year that even if you win the House Cup, all you get is the Great Hall decorated in your House colors at the end-of-term feast. What's the point of that?"
In fact, many Ravenclaws shared Michael's attitude towards the House Cup, neither striving for the top spot nor bothered by a low ranking, even if they came in last. It didn't motivate them to work harder in class to earn more points for their House.
"But there's no extra reward for the Quidditch Cup either!" Vid argued.
"This is Quidditch we're talking about!" Michael exclaimed, eyes wide. "Holding the Quidditch Cup is the greatest honor."
Suddenly, a loud, mocking laugh cut through the air.
Draco Malfoy, accompanied by his two cronies, drew near, his voice lowered threateningly. "So, one win has you feeling this proud? Don't forget, the House Cup has been ours for the past six years! As for Ravenclaw—"
He glared at Vid, malice dripping from his words. "... mudbloods."
Michael whipped out his wand, his anger flaring. "You dare—?"
Malfoy took a step back, his own wand at the ready. "There are professors right behind us. Go ahead, make a move if you dare."
"I'm not afraid of anything!" Michael retorted furiously. "Let's show those professors what you just said!"
He was about to cast a hex when Vid grabbed his wrist.
"Malfoy," Vid said calmly, "you should really take a good look at yourself in the mirror and see how ugly you look right now, being so despicable and malicious."
Malfoy was momentarily lost for words, and it took him a while to come up with another attack on Vid's lineage. "You... you filthy—"
But Vid had already walked away with Michael, as if the trio in front of them were nothing but roadside weeds.
Malfoy heard him say, "Michael, when faced with a vicious dog, you just kick it away. You don't lie down and bite back, do you?"
Michael, either having a low laugh threshold or imagining such a scenario, burst into uncontrollable laughter. Even some passing students couldn't help but chuckle, taking the opportunity to tease the Slytherins.
Hearing those giggles and snickers, Malfoy felt as if knives were scraping across his face. He trembled with rage and barely managed to stop himself from casting a nasty hex.
However, the presence of the professors nearby was a stronger deterrent, forcing Malfoy to forcibly suppress his temper.
With his head down, he strode toward the castle, his mind replaying the two instances of humiliation Vid had caused him. He gnashed his teeth, seething with hatred. Crabbe and Goyle hurried to catch up, their faces wearing confused expressions as if they didn't understand what had just happened.
Malfoy heard voices around him and felt like everyone was mocking him. Suddenly, he heard his name being mentioned.
"Malfoy had another conflict with Vid... He must really hate Vid now, huh?" The girl's voice, sounding like Padma from Ravenclaw, carried a hint of concern. She seemed to have a good relationship with Vid.
Malfoy instinctively hid behind a pillar to eavesdrop and signaled for Crabbe and Goyle to hide as well.
The two chubby boys glanced at each other and reluctantly hid behind Malfoy, resembling a string of candied fruit.
Another similar voice, belonging to Parvati, chimed in, "Of course, after all, Malfoy is pure-blooded!"
"Do you think Malfoy is still using the Friendship Book invented by Vid?" Padma asked.
"Huh?" Parvati hesitated and replied vaguely, "This... probably..."
"I don't think so either," Padma said with a mischievous smile. "Otherwise, he would look ridiculous, insulting Vid on one hand and using his invention on the other, right?"
"Right... yeah... right," Parvati stammered.
She didn't quite understand—who would give up something so useful over a verbal dispute? And the Friendship Book wasn't cheap...
But seeing Padma's certainty and thinking about her unfinished Potions homework, Parvati decided to keep quiet.
Padma glanced sideways and noticed the string of shadows behind the pillar, a cunning smile playing on her lips.
...
The girls walked away, still holding hands.
Malfoy stepped out from behind the pillar, his pale face flushed. He took out the Friendship Book and tore it to shreds without hesitation, then threw it on the ground.
"Go and keep an eye on Vid Gore!" Malfoy snarled. "See when he goes to the Potions classroom! I'll never let him off the hook!"
His mind raced with the most powerful and malicious curses he knew—
Avada Kedavra... Cruciatus Curse... Gut-Splitting Curse... No, he couldn't cast those... Tooth-Breaking Curse... Leg-Locker Curse... Incendio...
(End of Chapter)
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