Chapter 23: Quidditch Finals

Christmas is over, and school is starting to operate as usual.

Malfoy continues to live his seemingly peaceful life on campus, with the exception of the occasional incident.

Harry, on the other hand, is facing stricter requirements from Quidditch captain Wood.

Even on the continuous rainy days after the heavy snow, Wood's energy has not cooled down. The Weasley brothers complain, but they persevere, as do the rest of the Gryffindor team.

They are determined to end Slytherin's seven-year winning streak in the Academy Cup.

When the goal is out of reach, people usually give up their efforts. But when the goal is within reach, most people tend to dig in and persevere.

This is the true portrayal of the Gryffindor team.

On the training ground, the Weasley brothers began to blame each other again as they kept diving and bombing each other, pretending to fall off their flying brooms.

Finally, Wood trained them and delivered bad news: "Snape will serve as the referee for the game."

In a short time, almost all the players' faces were clouded over. The goal that was within reach now seemed like an unfinished task.

Everyone's morale has fallen and their enthusiasm for training has also dropped significantly. This is a fatal enough blow.

After training is over, the Gryffindor players are still whispering and chatting, presumably guessing how Snape will embarrass them.

Harry has no intention of listening and goes straight to the Gryffindor lounge to seek advice from Hermione and Ron. He also wonders if Snape will still hold a grudge against him.

"Don't take part in the competition," Hermione said immediately.

"Just say you're sick," Ron suggested.

"Pretend to break your leg," Hermione suggested.

"Yes, tell them your broke your leg," Ron said.

Harry rubbed his painful forehead. "I'm the only seeker on the team. I should be in be in field"

Ron and Hermione stopped talking immediately. They both knew that Harry was a very responsible boy. He couldn't drag the whole team down for his own safety.

Of course, this once again highlights the irrationality of this game and the mistakes of the Gryffindor team in training talent. How can there be no substitute for a major game?

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"Damn," Malfoy said, taking a fierce bite of butter bread.

"My lady, isn't this our game? Can we not care? Do you know when I fell asleep last night?" Malfoy wailed exaggeratedly at the table.

"I must see Gryffindor lose," Pansy said, still angry about the last team's defeat.

"I hate female fans," Malfoy said, slandering.

"But today should be a quick decision. I can go back to sleep after reading it."

"In this game, our dean is the referee. Gryffindor must suffer a lot this time" Pansy whispered, but Malfoy could feel the excitement in her tone.

Malfoy couldn't help but say,

"Is it really good to be happy about an unfair referee?"

Soon they arrived at the stadium, and the enthusiasm of the audience was unprecedented. Cheers and cheers echoed throughout the game, especially from Gryffindor.

This game was too crucial for them, but when they found out that Snape was the referee, the field was filled with boos.

"Ron, look, Professor Dumbledore is here," Hermione said, pulling on Ron's sleeve in the stands.

Dumbledore slowly made his way into the meeting place, dragging his robe behind him.

"Thank goodness," Ron said, taking a breath.

"Now we can rest assured that Snape wouldn't dare to play ghosts in front of him."

"No," Hermione said, frowning. "Last time it seemed like Professor Dumbledore was also in the stands."

"So why didn't he help Harry last time?" Ron asked.

"I don't know," Hermione said.

"But I hope he can do something this time."

"Remember, don't forget, it's leg stiffness," Hermione reminded Ron.

"Yes," Ron said impatiently.

"I still don't believe he would dare to be unreasonable in public."

Hermione thought that the last block's efficiency was too slow, so she chose to use a new spell to deal with Snape today.

On the court, the players from both sides came to the center of the field. As usual in previous games, Mrs. Hooch said something about fair play and the game began.

"Hufflepuff! free throw!" Snape said in a somber tone.

Less than a few minutes into the game, Snape awarded Hufflepuff a free throw on the grounds that George hit the ball at him and interfered with the referee.

Harry was still hovering on the court, like an eagle, eager to find the thief as soon as possible so that Snape would favor Hufflepuff for as little time as possible.

"Hufflepuff! Free throw!" he said again, this time for no reason.

The Gryffindor students on the field were boiling with anger, and the harsh whistle came from all grades.

Even the students of Hufflepuff didn't look very happy.

Obviously, their loyal personality wouldn't allow them to accept Snape's partiality, even if it was to their advantage.

"Good job," Pansy cheered with her hands raised.

"Why aren't you cheering? Enemy's enemy scored again," Pansy said, poking Malfoy with her arm.

"Oh, yeah!" Malfoy raised his hand stiffly and waved.

"Good job," he said dryly.

The applause was thunderous all around the grandstand, except for the seats on their college's side, which were filled with strange silence.

Pansy reminded Malfoy that it seemed the victory or defeat had already been decided and they missed the crucial moment.

"Wow, I can't believe what I just saw! I'm sure many viewers missed it too. Harry Potter from the Gryffindor team just made an incredible dive, moving so fast that it looked like he was going to crash to the ground. The referee also seemed to think so and had mounted his broomstick to rescue Harry. But Harry didn't fall – he caught the golden snitch just inches from the ground. Now he's holding it up in triumph, celebrating his victory. The crowd is going wild – this has to be the fastest ending to a Quidditch game in history!"

"Unbelievable," Ron whispered.

"I thought he was going to crash into the rocks on purpose."

"But Harry didn't give him the chance!" Hermione said, grinning.

"Well done, Harry," a kind voice said behind him. Harry turned to see Dumbledore smiling at him.

"It's nice to see that you're not constantly thinking about the magic mirror and that your fulfilling your role as a seeker well. Good for you." Dumbledore's voice was low, so only Harry could hear him.

Harry turned to see Snape vomiting on the ground and felt a sense of satisfaction. He had finally done something he could be proud of and nobody could say that he was just riding on his famous name.

The night air had never tasted so sweet. Harry walked through the damp grass, replaying the happy moments of the game in his mind: his teammates lifting him up on their shoulders, Ron and Hermione jumping up and down in the distance, Ron with a nosebleed.

Harry arrived at the broom shed and leaned against the wooden door, looking up at Hogwarts with its windows glowing red in the setting sun. His team, Gryffindor, had come out on top. He succeeded.

There are people who are happy and those who are sad.

Someone stepped on Harry's foot, causing him to turn and see Pansy's red face.

Malfoy saw that she was shaking and her eyes were red.

"I told you earlier not to come and to brace yourself for the blow," Malfoy said, obviously trying to make things better but only making them worse.

The first priority now is to calm down, but he couldn't think of any comforting words at the moment.

"Thats the rich second generation for ya!" The character suddenly slapped their forehead.

"Gryffindors are unbeatable. Harry Potter's broom is the latest Light Wheel 2000. Professor McGonagall may seem fair, but she's partial to them. But this can't continue next year. I'll ask my father to sponsor the Slytherin team. The Light Wheel 2001 will definitely be better than theirs next year."

"Really? Its not worth it for you to spend money," Pansy said, disbelief in her voice.

"For the honor of the school, it's worth it," the character, possibly named Malfoy, said pompously.

Pansy looked at him blankly before suddenly smiling and saying,

"Come on, you have the least sense of honor in the school. You have to pull in both games."

"Uh..." Malfoy didn't know how to respond.

"But I know you're doing it for me," Pansy said, lowering her voice and blushing shyly. It seems that she has feelings for Malfoy.

Thank you," Pansy whispered before kissing the character, possibly named Malfoy, on the cheek and running off.

Malfoy touched the spot where he had been kissed and sighed.

"What a girl" he said before silently adding to himself, "But I like it."