The Quidditch field, basking in the bright sunshine, was not as joyful as usual but instead exuded an air of solemnity. The reason for this was simply that this match was crucial to determining the winner of this year's Quidditch Cup.
Gryffindor has already lost to Ravenclaw, and their chances of winning this year's championship are slim. The little witch from this college is here purely to create a scene, but Ravenclaw is different. They are still strong contenders for the championship. As long as they defeat Gryffindor today, they will gain the opportunity to challenge Slytherin.
Clearly, the Slytherin House that attempted to defend its championship title also hoped that Gryffindor would lose the game. This was not only because the two houses were mortal enemies, but also because the Gryffindor team with Potter was always a bigger threat than the Ravenclaw team.
For Slytherin, if Ravenclaw had won today, Captain Marcus Flint could pretty much pat his chest and announce to everyone that glory belongs to Slytherin!
There is one house that has nothing to do with this, two houses hoping Gryffindor will lose, and such a viewing atmosphere is not very friendly to Gryffindor. However, the house called the House of Bravery, Gryffindor, does not fear such scenes. Most of the little wizards in this house are screaming their lungs out, hoping that their team can feel their support.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Remus--"
Hagrid climbed up the stairs behind the stands, choosing a seat behind Hermione and Ron. He tiptoed carefully past Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick, accidentally colliding with Professor Lupin, who stumbled and nearly fell off the stand.
"It's all right, Hagrid--"
Remus rubbed his shoulder, which was almost split, and smiled bitterly. He was just about to ask Hagrid why he came so late when a small black dog suddenly popped its head out from the tangled hair on Hagrid's shoulders.
In that instant of eye contact, Remus recognized the small black dog's true identity. He opened his mouth in surprise, and the response was a slightly proud look.
At this moment, Hermione, attracted by the commotion behind her, turned her head and saw Sirius squatting on Hagrid's shoulder,
"How did you bring it, Hagrid? Where's Crookshanks?"
"We're playing catch with the gnomes in the garden. I didn't want to bring it, Hermione."
Hagrid poked the small black dog's cheek with his finger and said angrily,
"Just as I was about to leave, this little rascal ran off to the Quidditch field by itself. I had quite a job catching it and locking it inside, but as soon as I took a few steps, it jumped out of the window. No matter how much I chased after it, nothing worked--"
Remus couldn't help but laugh bitterly. He had heard from Professor Amos that Sirius was staying in the Forbidden Forest, but he never expected that he would become so acquainted with Hagrid like this.
"Oh, darn it!"
Ron suddenly let out a sigh of regret, and on the stands, the little wizards nearby showed the same expression. Professor McGonagall clenched her fists against her chest, so tense that she couldn't even breathe.
"What just happened?"
Hermione asked anxiously as Harry was quickly stretching from one post to another.
"Harry almost caught the Snitch just now, but Ravenclaw's Seeker hit the Bludger at Harry, breaking his play!"
Ron angrily said.
The game was very exciting, and it had been less than twenty minutes since the start, but the score between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw was already eighty to zero. Moreover, Ravenclaw's Seeker seemed to have found a way to deal with Harry. She had given up competing with Harry for the Golden Snitch and was just flying around him in all directions, trying to interfere with him.
"Despicable tactics!"
Hermione could tell what Cedric was trying to do. She angrily said, "Why can't it just be a fair match?"
"Your statement is not entirely objective, Hermione--"
Remus glanced at Sirius and said with a smile,
"Miss Black's choice is very wise, isn't it? She can't possibly compete with Harry, who has the Firebolt," said Remus.
Although this is the case, Miss Black's actions are clearly unpopular, especially for the little wizards of Gryffindor. They can accept being defeated by opponents who outplay them on the field, but strategy and tactics mean the same thing to them as plots and schemes.
"Harry, now is not the time for you to be a gentleman!"
On the field, Wood yelled at Harry, "If necessary, knock her off the broom!"
"I understand, Wood!"
Harry replied with a guilty conscience. He twisted his head and saw that Cedric was still not far behind him. The strong wind caused the beautiful Asian girl from Ravenclaw to have her long hair fluttering like a waterfall. And it seemed that Cedric had also noticed Harry's gaze, as he smiled at Harry in the golden sunlight.
In that instant, Harry's heart skipped a beat. A strange sense of suffocation quickly overwhelmed his mind, and Harry was grateful for the numbness in his hand holding the broom handle!
This feeling is really strange!
Harry thought to himself, but now it was a game, and he didn't have time to dwell on his slight sense of loss at having to shift his gaze away from Cedric's smiling face. He forced himself to concentrate on the match.
Harry, of course, couldn't actually do what Wood said, which would be to knock Cedric off the broom directly. If it were Malfoy, he wouldn't mind doing that at all.
But he had to get rid of Cedric. If he let her follow him like that, he wouldn't be able to play the game at all.
After a brief moment of thought, Harry had a plan. He pushed down on the broomstick and dived toward the ground at high speed. As expected, Cedric, thinking Harry had spotted the Snitch, hurried to follow.
Everything in Harry's sight became blurry, and the two of them were plummeting towards the ground at an incredible speed. But when they were thirty feet from the ground, Harry suddenly flattened the broomstick and leveled off, slowing down briefly before soaring back into the sky. Cedric was completely caught off guard by this, and her feet skidded across the grass for a good distance before she managed to regain control of her body.
That was exactly what Harry wanted to see. Otherwise, with his flying skills, he could easily shorten the buffer distance of the 'braking'!
Harry shot up like a bullet, and while Cedric was still adjusting his broom, Harry's eyes swept over the entire field. Then he saw it—the Snitch glowing in the air above the Ravenclaw pitch.
The world seemed to have come to a standstill in that moment, and the only sound that could be heard was the beating of Harry's own heart. When his fingertips touched the cold metal orb, Mrs. Weasley's whistle echoed throughout the stadium, and Harry finally heard the deafening cheers that shattered the clouds!
Since losing the game due to the presence of dementors two months ago, the little wizards of Gryffindor had been brooding. But not any more. Their pent-up frustrations finally burst forth.
Many people were gathered around Harry, expressing their excitement to him. Harry looked around and spotted Ron and Hermione, who were struggling to get closer, as well as Hagrid, who stood like a wall, and also the small black dog on Hagrid's shoulder.
The small black dog displayed some strange behavior. It sat on Hagrid's shoulder, acting like a person, and chased him with its hands. Moreover, its eyes were filled with tears.
This scene was too strange, Harry rubbed his eyes and almost thought he was dreaming, but it was a fact that the dog acted like a person, celebrating his victory.
(End of Chapter)
