17 17. A Different Quidditch

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Happy's achievement spread all around, and everyone learned he had killed a Troll. Heads turned, fingers were pointed, and murmurs echoed everywhere he went, and that only increased with Harry being beside him.

While the Gryffindor house felt pride, Slytherin felt betrayed as a Lestrange should have been one of them. So, their displeasure for Happy increased manifold, and their hatred turned into attempts at bullying, albeit being unsuccessful every single time. Luck was always on the side of the 'Troll Hunter Boy'.

Draco maintained his distance, however, and never attempted to antagonize Happy. Perhaps Draco saw him as a friend after he had played with Happy and Harry during the first broom class.

…

The hall was usually sparsely filled during lunch, with a peaceful atmosphere full of students happily chatting and eating their meals.

"Ugh, I hate this. I didn't want this when I decided to save Miss Chang." Happy groaned as he supported his chin while sitting in the Great Hall.

"But you saved her life, Happy. Isn't that what matters?" Hermione cheered him up.

"If you really want to cheer me, then get me a pizza. The Hogwarts menu is seriously starting to bore me. There is almost no change, and it's been many months." Happy complained while poking the succulent chicken in front of him, not eating it.

Ron, who was gobbling on the chicken, looked at him in amazement with his mouth stuffed. "What? You don't like this? How can you not? This is so much better than what I used to get at home. By the way, what's a 'pizza'?"

Happy turned his face sideways to look at him, eyes widened in disbelief.

"Ron, you're a wizard who only goes out of his country once a year probably and still remains inside the wizarding part of the world. You don't even know the kind of amazing things muggles eat. It's literally heaven outside. You know, if I ever marry someone, I'll marry a chef of a Michelin-star restaurant!"

Hermione pridefully agreed. "I never knew you knew about muggle cuisine, Happy. I thought you'd be ignorant about it since… you know."

"I get that…I'm an anomaly among the purebloods. But it's amazing food, so who cares? You know what, let's go to Japan for summer break next year! I heard they have a lot of amazing restaurants."

Happy started salivating at the thought of the various genuine Japanese dishes. From the delicate sweetness of sushi and sashimi to the savory flavors of teriyaki and tempura, Japan was sure to satisfy all of his taste buds for the summer.

Hermione lowered her head. "I… I don't think I can afford that."

Happy and Harry chirped almost instantly. "I'll fund it!"

"..."

Happy smirked. "Oh, Mister Harry Pottaaah~ will spend his fortunes now? Or is it that Mister Pottaaah~ just wishes to escape his home for the summer?"

"Pfft!" Harry snorted and controlled his laughter. "Stop calling me that. And yes, I'd do anything to escape the Dursleys."

The Dursley's house was a dingy, cramped and oppressive place for Harry. With the Dursleys often treating him unfairly, the house was a place of fear and dread for the young wizard. It was a stark contrast to the wondrous magical world.

'Poor boy.' Happy pitied him. 'And poor me.'

"Don't worry. I will come and break you out if they lock you in. Money solves every problem in the world, and between us, we have more than enough." Happy said, and begrudgingly picked up a plate of custard pudding to eat.

"I won't go," Ron spoke. "My Mum won't possibly let me."

"But we're sponsoring, so what's the issue?" Happy asked. "Just tell her you're going with the legendary wizard Harry Pottaaah~ and the good gullible boy Happy Lestrange."

"That's the thing! She's scared of your family name, Happy. She regularly sends me letters, telling me to keep a distance from you. My ears are still ringing because of them."

Happy shrugged. "Probably some bad memories from the time my family was free, and more insane than Basilisks in heat. Don't worry. As I said, money can solve everything. Ah… Harry, let's go now. It's quidditch practice time. The tournament is next week."

…

A week went by in haste, and the quidditch match started before anyone even realized it. The match was Gryffindor Vs. Slytherin. It was going to be a legendary battle as Harry and Happy were both going to be playing. With both teams determined to prove their worth, the stakes were high, and the match was sure to be legendary.

The Quidditch field in Hogwarts was different from a large professional one. However, the rich, emerald-green grass was perfectly manicured, and the boundaries marked by tall, imposing hedges.

The air above the field buzzed with excitement as the Quidditch teams soared high into the sky, prepping for the thrilling match.

But, at first, Happy was put to the bench as a reserve, as the team didn't need him. While Harry only got to play because the team needed a Seeker, and he was the best they had.

So, from the benches, Happy silently watched and ate a burger that he made himself. It was hard, but in the end, he was able to smuggle some items thanks to muggle-born students. He regularly gave them money so they'd ask their parents to send certain things. From chocolates to ready-to-cook meals, he tried it all. The only sad thing, however, was his chef skills.

"Yeah! Beat that bludger!" He cheered nonchalantly while eating, not even caring about the game. His teammates didn't say anything and just chuckled. Happy had done enough for them and had proven that he was a true Gryffindor with his bravery.

However, Happy forgot something. He had the luck of the devil. That meant, in most cases, the world tried to push him for the best outcome. Even when it was something he didn't want to do.

Bam!

Bam!

"Woah!" The crowd gasped.

Happy looked up and noticed Fred Weasley being targeted by a dangerous play by the Slytherin.

The bludger flew with alarming speed toward the unsuspecting Fred. Seeing it too late, Fred made a desperate attempt to dodge, but it was not enough. The bludger smacked into him with a sickening thud, sending him falling toward the ground.

Fred fell from a short height but went unconscious because of it. Madam Hooch and Madam Pomfrey quickly escorted him out of the field.

Soon after that, his name was called.

"Gryffindor has called the First Year, Happy Lestrange, to take Beater Fred Weasley's position. Can the young first-year manage to tackle a beater from Slytherin? Only time will tell." Lee Jordan kept the suspense high.

Happy was taken aback as he saw there were other members available. They were even older and more experienced than him.

'Why me?'

He gobbled the burger quickly and flew up into the sky. He stopped and hovered near the team, as they had gathered for a meeting.

"Happy, be careful. Slytherin is playing dirty." Oliver Woods, the Captain, advised.

Happy didn't complain about being chosen and just took the beater's bat in one hand and followed George Weasley.

"Just don't get hit, and hit the bludgers towards the enemy team, got it?" George advised him and re-focused on the game as Madam Hooch whistled.

Whoosh!

In an instant, almost all of the Slytherin members, except for the Seeker, rushed toward Happy. They clearly had some ulterior motives. Happy could see it in their eyes and their ginning faces.

'Ugh… These crazies!'

Happy tried to make some distance but to no avail. He just flew around, trying to avoid everyone's malicious attacks.

Whoosh!

"There it is!" He finally saw the bludger coming and prepared to aim. He swung the bat with all his might, not thinking of where to aim.

Bam!

A nice, loud smack was heard. With that, Happy's luck shined brighter than the sun in the sky.

"Aaargh!"

Soon enough, a scream resonated through the field, and one Slytherin player fell to the ground from a decent height, breaking his leg.

"A HEADSHOT!" Lee Jordan shouted, and the Gryffindor crowd cheered in excitement. Flags were waived, and some stood up in the stands to chant.

As for Happy, a big evil grin appeared on his face once he realized something.

'Ho ho? Aren't I supposed to be lucky? Does that mean…'

His simple gaze sent shivers down Slytherin players' spines.

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