Chapter 28

The weather in England is notoriously dreary, and by November, the cold sets in with shorter days. On one such chilly morning, Franklin roused Mike from his sleep. They were set to join Penelope to watch Harry's debut in a Quidditch match.

Initially, Penelope had planned for them to attend the Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff game, but at Mike's suggestion, they decided to support Harry instead.

Mike himself wasn't a huge fan of Quidditch, considering it a game riddled with inconsistencies and lacking genuine excitement. Yet, strangely, the wizarding world at large seems enamored with the sport, even going as far as to organize a Quidditch World Cup regularly.

Success in the Quidditch World Cup can catapult wizards to stardom, bringing them wealth and a legion of fans, much like celebrities in the Muggle world.

One notable aspect of Quidditch is its inclusivity; there's no discrimination based on blood status. Whether you're pure-blood or Muggle-born, if you've got the skills and the looks, you can rise to fame in the Quidditch arena.

This has attracted many Muggle-born wizards to become Quidditch athletes.

The match had already begun by the time Mike, Franklin, and Penelope leisurely finished their breakfast and arrived at the Quidditch pitch. The stadium was abuzz with anticipation for Harry's debut Quidditch game, with everyone eager to see if his skills on the broom matched his fame as "the boy who lived."

The commentator for this match was Lee Jordan, a close friend of the Weasley brothers. True to the saying "birds of a feather flock together," his personality closely mirrored that of the Weasleys. His quirky commentary style frequently brought laughter and amusement to the audience.

Mike had to search the sky for a while before he spotted Harry, dressed in Gryffindor's red and gold, flying somewhat aimlessly on his broom, scanning the skies for the Golden Snitch. As the Seeker, his role was to catch the Snitch and bring the game to a close.

Harry's flying speed was noticeably faster than the other players, a benefit of Professor McGonagall's state-of-the-art Nimbus 2000 broomstick. It was clear that McGonagall had a soft spot for her own house despite her outward impartiality.

While Mike focused on Harry's movements, Penelope initiated a conversation.

"I've heard from the other first-years that you're quite skilled at flying. Have you thought about joining the Quidditch team?"

With the crowd's noise, Penelope had to lean in close to Mike's ear to make herself heard, causing him to feel a bit uneasy as her breath brushed his ear, prompting him to shift slightly.

"I'm just a first-year, and besides, being a good flyer doesn't necessarily mean I'd be good at Quidditch."

"Harry's a first-year too, and now that he's on the team, no one would object to you joining. Professor Flitwick is a big fan of yours; he'd definitely give the green light. You could even start by practicing with the Ravenclaw team to test the waters. I'm on good terms with their captain, Roger Davies, so I can set it up."

Mike sensed Penelope was trying to offer him a favor but chose to deflect her suggestions politely. Eventually, Penelope got the hint and switched topics, giving Mike a rundown of the various house Quidditch teams.

Mike had no intention of joining the Quidditch team as a first-year. First, he already had too much on his plate and couldn't spare time for weekly Quidditch practices. Second, he knew Gryffindor was destined to win the Quidditch Cup this year, thanks to Dumbledore's support for Harry. Mike wasn't interested in participating in a predetermined game.

As Mike and Penelope conversed, Hermione struggled with her emotions nearby. Her anger had dissipated mainly over the past few days, and she had intended to make amends with Mike at this match. Anticipating his late arrival due to his tendency to oversleep, she had even saved a seat for him.

To her disappointment, Mike arrived late and was immediately ushered by Penelope to seats reserved for Ravenclaw students. They began whispering to each other shortly after sitting down, appearing to share a close bond.

The more Hermione dwelled on it, the more frustrated she became, her eyebrows furrowing and her cheeks puffing out in annoyance.

It wasn't a matter of jealousy; she didn't harbor romantic feelings for Mike, as she was too young for that. She simply felt as though Penelope had snatched away her friend. Mike had been her good friend first, but now he seemed to be neglecting her in favor of this woman.

"What's so special about her? She's just pretty!" Hermione mused to herself, unable to shake off her irritation.

As Hermione was seething over Mike's behavior, the crowd around her suddenly erupted in surprise. Glancing upwards, she noticed Harry's broomstick behaving erratically, zigzagging in the air as if he might plummet at any moment.

Hermione, ever observant, spotted Professor Snape in the stands, fixated on Harry and murmuring under his breath. She instantly suspected Snape of foul play against Harry.

Meanwhile, Mike and his companions were also captivated by Harry's peculiar antics in the sky. However, Mike remained unfazed by the situation.

He had spotted Dumbledore upon his arrival, and he was confident that with Dumbledore's presence, Harry would be safe even if Quirrell's curse targeted him.

Sure enough, Harry swiftly regained his composure in mid-air. Remarkably, during his momentary imbalance, he managed to snatch the Golden Snitch, securing a triumphant win for Gryffindor against Slytherin.

The instant Lee Jordan declared the outcome, the stadium burst into a frenzy of cheers. The "Savior" Harry lived up to his reputation, showcasing his exceptional Quidditch skills.

Mike rose to join in the applause, but his attention was drawn to Professor Snape, whose robe had ignited. Snape was desperately trying to put out the flames; his actions were so exaggerated that he even toppled Professor Quirrell sitting in front of him.

Mike couldn't suppress a scornful snicker at the sight. Snape's performance was pitiful; a simple Aguamenti spell would have easily quenched the minor blaze.

As the game concluded, the trio swiftly exited the stands. Once they reached a secluded corridor, Mike suggested that Franklin head back to Ravenclaw alone, as he and Penelope needed some private time.

Franklin didn't question the request and departed promptly. Before leaving, he shot Mike a mischievous wink and subtly gestured a thumbs-up.