CHAPTER 37
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CHAPTER 37
As the anticipation for the Gryffindor versus Slytherin Quidditch match reached a fever pitch, the Great Hall was abuzz with an energy that Elmi found difficult to comprehend. The entire school seemed to be swept up in a wave of excitement; their collective enthusiasm centered around a sport that, to Elmi, appeared to be more spectacle than substance.
Looking around at the sea of students clad in their house colors, Elmi couldn't quite fathom the fervor. Gryffindors and Slytherins alike were adorned with scarves, hats, and even animated accessories depicting lions and snakes. The vibrant display of loyalty and house pride was undeniable, but the intensity in their eyes as they exchanged competitive glares left Elmi somewhat uneasy.
Some students had gone to great lengths to immerse themselves in the Quidditch craze, painting their faces with house colors and donning animated snake or lion head hats that hissed or roared. There was an undeniable sense of hate against each house.
While part of him acknowledged the festive atmosphere as a bit fun, the fiercely competitive spirit that seemed to transform the Quidditch match into a battleground left Elmi disconcerted. It was as if the students were gearing up for a clash of opposing armies rather than a friendly sporting event. Every house slowly climbed up their respective viewing towers, and the game began.
Elmi, as always, is sitting with his friends. Daphne, Tracey, and Zabini all had flags on their hands, and a Slytherin snake was drawn on their cheeks. All Elmi had was a Slytherin scarf; he wasn't even going to wear that, but Daphne made him wear it. She literally threatened to strangle him with it if he ever took it off until the end of the match.
...
Madam Hooch, the Quidditch referee, released the balls with a sharp blow of her whistle, and the match began. The Quaffle was in play, and both teams zoomed across the pitch, chasing and dodging in pursuit of the precious ball.
Harry was on his brand new Nimbus 2000 broomstick and soared into the sky. His eyes scanned the field for the elusive golden snitch, the tiny, winged ball that could end the match in an instant. The Slytherin Seeker, Terence Higgs, matched Harry's every move, determined to claim victory for his house.
Amid the cheers and roars from the stands, Hermione and Ron, sitting in the Gryffindor section, were on their feet, waving scarves and shouting encouragement. The intensity of the rivalry between the two houses became evident as insults and jeers were exchanged between Gryffindor and Slytherin supporters.
The match was going really well for Gryffindor, and the score was 20-0. Wood was ending every Slytherin attack with his good saves. Flint had enough of it and took the beater stick from Adrian Pucey.
"Give me that!"
He slammed the stick into a bludger sending it flying toward Wood and hitting him square on the chest. He slammed to the post, passing out. Everyone other than Slytherin started booing, and Elmi couldn't understand. He thought it was a brilliant play, and he even clapped. This was a perfectly legit play; he broke no rule, and it was a good tactical attack. Elmi was not a fan of the game, but he knew enough to know this was a brutal and dangerous game at its core, and there was no shame in playing like how it was intended to be played.
Yes, the Gryffindor players had more talent, but the Slytherin players had the right mindset and game plays. Right after this move, Flint and Pucey put Angelina Johnson in between them and run her to the tower, knocking her out of the game. Again, people were booing the Slytherin, and Elmi again couldn't understand them. If they wanted a gentle game, why the hell were they watching a Quidditch game? The game was boring, but those plays were strategic brilliance.
It was Angelina's fault for being absent-minded and getting caught between the two; if it was Elmi, he would have made a brake or dive at the last moment so both players would crash at each other and get knocked out of the game.
As Harry closed in on the Golden Snitch, Snape, apparently jinxing Harry's broom, caused it to jerk violently. Hermione, quick to notice the danger, realized that Harry was in peril. This was the moment Elmi was waiting for, and he left his tower for the teacher's tower.
Determined to save Harry, Hermione rushed to the stands. She came close to Snape's cape and was just about to cast her spell when a hand grabbed her and closed her mouth. A whispering voice said,
"Shh, it is me, Elmi. I am going to release, you know, be silent."
She nodded and angrily but with a low voice, she said,
"What are you doing? Can't you see Harry is in danger? Snape is trying to jinx him."
Elmi shook his head and said,
"No, just trust me and burn Quirrell's cape."
"What!"
"just do it."
Hermione looked at him with suspicion, but she trusted him since Harry always had good things to say about Elmi, and he was different from other Slytherins. He was arrogant but was not bigoted. She caused small sparks on Quirrell's cape, and they ran away from there right away. Quirrell was looking at Harry with a menacing look, but he felt a great heat from his leg. He tried to ignore it since he couldn't break his light of sight, or the jinx would be broken. He might not get any other chance like this one where Dumbledore was not at school.
Someone next to Quirrell saw the fire and dosed him with an Aguamenti spell, breaking his concentration. Harry managed to take control of his broom and win the game for his team by swallowing the golden snitch.
...
In the dimly lit corner of the Hogwarts library, Elmi, Hermione, Harry, and Ron found a quiet spot to have a conversation. Hermione asked,
"Why did you stop me from casting it on Snape?"
"Because you were aiming for the wrong person?"
Ron gave her a suspicious look and a condescending tone.
"Quirrell, our stammering and fainting DADA Professor? You can't be serious; why would Quirrell try to harm Harry?"
As Elmi thought Quirrell deserved an Oscar, the guy made everyone believe he was harmless when he was one of the most dangerous people in England, or should Elmi say he has the most dangerous person at the back of his head. Ron was looking at Elmi with eyes that didn't believe anything he said. Elmi thought, this boy and his prejudice against Slytherin.
"I do not know, but tell me, Ron, after the fire broke out, did Snape stop chanting?"
He thought about it a bit and shook his head,
"No, he continued even though Quirrell was burning right behind him."
"Then, did Harry continue to lose control of his broom."
At this point, everyone realized the truth,
"Yes, Snape was casting a protection charm against attacks; if he didn't do that, you would be able to hold on to your broom."
Harry and Hermione were confused, and Harry said,
"But why is he doing this? I didn't even do anything to him."
Elmi couldn't just say he had Voldi on the back of his head. Elmi, glancing around to ensure privacy, leaned in and began,
"I need to share something with you; I can see magical energies. And there's something peculiar about Professor Quirrell."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione, seated at a secluded table, exchanged curious glances, encouraging Elmi to continue.
Elmi took a deep breath, "There's this dark aura around Quirrell. It's not normal. It's like a shadow, a malevolent force that I can't quite explain. It appears all around his head."
Harry's expression tightened, "Malevolent? What does that mean?"
Elmi nodded, "It's like there's something dark about him, something not right. And here's the strange part: when Harry is close to Quirrell, I see a faint pink hue around you, Harry."
Hermione, always analytical, frowned slightly, "Pink? How can that be ominous?"
Elmi explained,
"Not the pink aura, Hermione, the dark one on Quirrell; the pink aura only appears on Harry when he is close to Quirrell; it looks like the aura doesn't want Quirrell to touch Harry. At least that is the feeling I get from it."
Ron scratched his head, "So, Quirrell's got some dark magic going on, and it's rubbing off on Harry?"