Chapter 288: Tit for Tat

As the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin drew closer, tensions between the two houses grew more intense. Occasional clashes occurred, and some individuals had already been sent to the infirmary due to minor altercations.

However, the current situation was not in favor of Gryffindor. Their team had just been reformed, and the new players needed more time to adapt and gel together.

Furthermore, facing Slytherin was a cause for concern. Charlie worried about the safety of his players. He knew what kind of players Slytherin had. Those guys would resort to any underhanded methods to reclaim the Quidditch Cup.

Last year, Gryffindor had managed to defeat Slytherin, mainly thanks to the resilience of their original team members. They not only stood up to Slytherin's malicious tactics but also counterattacked effectively.

"Don't feel pressured, anyway... we already have the Cup!"

In the changing room, Charlie was giving his final motivational speech. He realized his words lacked confidence and hastily added, "And remember, protect yourselves during the match."

"Don't worry, everyone knows what Slytherin is made of," Wood chimed in, offering reassurance.

"The game hasn't even started, don't make it seem like we've already lost," McLaggen rebuked Charlie, feeling that he should instill more confidence in his players.

"Oh, right." Charlie mumbled, heading out of the changing room to the applause of the spectators.

"What happened last year?" Katie couldn't help but ask as the official players left the changing room.

McLaggen also perked up, eager to eavesdrop. He was curious why Charlie had advised them to protect themselves.

"You'll find out later. It wasn't a pleasant match." Albert motioned Elia to head to the stands.

"You seem to have low expectations for this match." Elia asked.

"I'm guessing it might turn into a brawl." Albert muttered. "This time, we're not in a favorable position."

Elia had no response. Gryffindor and Slytherin had never played a normal match. Every game turned into a brawl, and the scene had been chaotic at times.

The match began with the referee's whistle.

Slytherin, true to form, aimed to redeem themselves, launching a fierce offensive against Gryffindor and scoring amidst a chorus of boos from the spectators.

"Damn it, they're definitely doing it on purpose." Katie swung her fist in the direction of the Slytherin players. She finally understood Charlie's warning. Angelina nearly fell off her broom due to Slytherin's aggressive pursuit.

"Slytherin is the first to foul," Lee Jordan shouted at the top of his lungs. "They used underhanded tactics and managed to score first... Look, Gryffindor is counterattacking... Yes, George just jabbed him... Oh no, the referee blew the whistle..."

The match began with a fierce clash.

"You're right. Gryffindor doesn't have a high chance of winning unless Charlie catches the Snitch," Kenneth Toole remarked gloomily, standing next to Albert.

There was no choice. The number of people betting on Slytherin's victory far outweighed those betting on Gryffindor. If Slytherin won, Kenneth Toole would lose a considerable amount of Galleons.

What was even more frustrating was that Albert, that bastard, had bet on Slytherin being the first to foul. He had set a high payout for himself.

"How many people bet on Slytherin winning?" Albert asked curiously.

"Fifteen."

"You won't lose much either way. The odds for Slytherin are only 0.8."

"Among them, more than half are the ones you bet on." Kenneth Toole's tone was filled with resentment. He had already decided not to let Albert participate in betting next time.

"No way, I only bet five Galleons." Albert asked, puzzled. At most, it would be a double return.

"I'm playing with small stakes here." Kenneth Toole wanted to cry. Although Gryffindor won last year, not many people believed that Gryffindor had a high chance of winning this year. There were many new players on the team.

"You're not thinking..."

"I'll give you the original amount and three more Galleons, just spare me!" Kenneth Toole was planning to give in and privately settle this matter with money.

"Five Galleons." Albert replied without hesitation.

"Fine." Kenneth Toole pulled out ten Galleons from his pocket and reluctantly handed them to Albert. Katie and McLaggen beside them were left dumbfounded.

"I remember gambling is not allowed at school."

"When did you see me gambling?" Albert glanced at McLaggen and retorted.

"I should have bet as well," Elia muttered under her breath.

"Don't be silly." Albert glanced at Elia and sneered, "Do you really think Kenneth Toole would settle this privately with money instead of being deceitful?"

"Well..." Elia was immediately stunned.

"Sneaky! I hope Fred is okay. Slytherin has once again used underhanded methods. Maybe the referee should have sent their Beater off the field." Lee Jordan's voice echoed from the pitch. Slytherin's Beater had actually used their club to strike Fred's back, knocking him off his broom.

Professor McGonagall had no intention of stopping Lee Jordan. She was equally furious at Slytherin's dirty tactics. Although Gryffindor obtained the Snitch, the score had already started to widen.

80:30.

Slytherin was temporarily in the lead. Gryffindor had a tough task ahead to turn the tide, unless their Seeker, Charlie, could catch the Snitch quickly and end the match.

"How did we manage to beat Slytherin last year?" Katie couldn't help but ask.

"Last year, the team was made up of mostly older students who were good at dealing with Slytherin's attacks," Elia explained. "After the match, many players from both sides were sent to the hospital."

"Last year, I remember Albert caught the Snitch and caused an upset. I made quite a profit!" Kenneth Toole hoped that Gryffindor could defeat Slytherin this time.

"Last year, everyone was using Transylvanian Fakes." Albert winked, "Look... Fred and George did quite well."

The people around them twitched at the corners of their mouths. Fred had punched the face of the guy who had just attacked him.

However, his situation was not good either. He had two Beaters betting on him. The Slytherin Beater holding the Snitch was ready to use it to attack them at any moment.

Seeing the unfavorable situation, Charlie immediately called for a timeout to prevent the twins from being ambushed.

"They've tainted this Quidditch match. Let's find an opportunity to deal with them." Charlie shouted angrily, waving his fist, "Let Slytherin understand that Gryffindor is not easy to mess with."

"It's about time. Just as Albert said, tit for tat, an eye for an eye!" Fred and George shouted in unison.

Albert, who had just stepped outside the changing room, was speechless.

"Did you really say something like that?" Elia asked, looking puzzled.

"You believe their words too?" Albert couldn't help but roll his eyes.

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(End of this chapter)