Chapter 28: Chapter 28
Quidditch is an important sport at Hogwarts, but for non-athletic students like Ron and Hermione, there are other important things as well. During this period, Albert went to the Quidditch pitch almost every day in his free time to practice with Harry. Professor Hooch was pleased with this, as most students didn't enjoy playing the game in their spare time.
Professor Hooch also told Albert that if he maintained his attitude, there would be no problem in winning the Quidditch Cup, and even the ultimate goal of the Quidditch World Cup.
Additionally, outside of Quidditch, Albert also practiced spells and brewed potions with Hermione. To aid their spellwork, they created some useful tools. For example, Hermione used magic to create a bright blue flame that could be carried. Albert transformed an empty jam jar into a copper hand warmer, carrying the flame for warmth. The damp and cold Scottish winter was quite uncomfortable, especially when needing to leave the room.
The day before Harry and Albert's match, Ron and Hermione decided to go and cheer them on. They met Harry and Albert in the courtyard, forming a circle where the four of them talked and warmed themselves with the copper hand warmer.
At that moment, Snape crossed the courtyard, and Harry immediately noticed that Snape was walking with a limp.
Harry had a mild grudge against Snape, so he lowered his head and tried to pretend he wasn't there. Unfortunately, Harry's guilty behavior caught Snape's attention. Snape limped over, seemingly searching for a reason to reprimand him.
"What's that you have in your hand, Potter?" he asked.
"It's the 'Quidditch Through the Ages' book," Harry showed him.
Snape said, "Books from the library are not allowed to be taken out of the school. Give it to me, and five points will be deducted from Gryffindor." Snape limped away, muttering angrily.
"I wonder what happened to his leg?" Harry mused. "I don't know, but I hope it's really hurting him."
But with the match tomorrow, Harry needed the book to relax. After finishing her homework, Hermione handed Harry the "Quidditch Through the Ages" book she had borrowed.
Harry read for a while, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Thinking of Madam Pince wielding her feather duster in the library and scolding classmates who mistreated books, courage suddenly surged in his heart.
Why was he afraid of Snape? So, he stood up and told the others he would ask Snape if he could return the book.
"You're very brave, Harry. Good luck," Albert said, patting him on the shoulder.
Harry then crept out into the corridor. Ron looked at Harry's back and said, "I wouldn't go if I were you." Albert and Hermione nodded in agreement.
About ten minutes later, as Albert and the others discussed ways to minimize point deductions in Potions class next time, Harry walked in looking a bit embarrassed.
Albert looked at the breathless Harry and asked, "What happened?"
Harry lowered his voice and said, "I just saw that one of Snape's legs was covered in blood. Filch gave him some potion, and Snape also said, 'How did you survive the three-headed dog?'"
Harry paused, letting them absorb the information, then continued, "Do you know what that means? On Halloween, we tried to get past the three-headed dog! And when we saw it, it went over there—it's guarding something. I bet my broomstick that he allowed the beast to enter to distract people."
"No, he wouldn't," Hermione said quickly. "I know he's not very nice to us, but he wouldn't steal anything from Dumbledore's heavily guarded collection."
Ron said bluntly, "To be honest, Hermione, you always think all teachers are nice, but I think Snape could do that kind of thing."
Albert interjected, "But there's doubt. Snape is the Slytherin Head of House; he must know what's in the school. Moreover, as a professor at Hogwarts and a Potions Master, I don't think he would lack that. We saw the dog attacking anyone who randomly entered that last room, so the injuries only prove that Snape might have entered that room. It doesn't mean he wanted to steal something."
"Well, you might be right," Harry said. "Let's go to bed. We still have a match tomorrow." With that, Harry headed upstairs.
Hermione stared at Albert, "Do you really think Professor Snape isn't a thief?"
"I don't know." Albert shrugged and shook his head. "But there's no conclusive evidence right now. These results alone cannot confirm that Professor Snape did something wrong."
After sitting for a while with no intention of reading, they wished each other goodnight before heading to bed.
…
The next morning was clear and cold. The Great Hall was filled with the aroma of grilled sausages, and everyone was looking forward to the exciting Quidditch game, chatting happily. Albert was also excited about the atmosphere, as today was his first official Quidditch match.
As he walked to the hall, Albert found that others had already arrived, and Hermione was trying to convince the only unhappy person at the long table, Harry, who seemed very tense.
"You need to eat something to be strong for the match," Hermione said.
"I don't want to eat anything."
"Have some toast," Hermione insisted.
"I'm not hungry."
Albert walked over and said, "Exercise uses up a lot of energy. You can't fly on an empty stomach."
At this point, Seamus also came to help, "Harry, you need to keep up your strength. The Seeker is always the player that the opponents need to be cautious of."
"Thanks," Harry said, watching Seamus spread ketchup on his sausages.
Hermione asked, "And what about you, Albert? Did you have breakfast?"
"Yes, I had breakfast earlier," Albert replied.
"Good," Hermione smiled.
As eleven o'clock approached, everyone went to the pitch, and the match was about to begin.
In fact, when Albert read about Quidditch in his previous life, he felt that wizards might have masochistic tendencies. The annual Quidditch match starts between Halloween and Christmas, that is, between November and December.
Imagine a group of spectators standing on a high platform in the freezing winter winds of the Highlands, while players must fly in the sky without any cover. It's tough no matter how you look at it.
But after Albert really entered this world, he discovered the wizards' obsession with Quidditch, and this obsession made all the aforementioned problems seem insignificant.
When he rushed to the Quidditch pitch with his team, he found that almost all the teachers and students from the school had come to the stands surrounding the pitch.
Many students had also brought binoculars, and the seats were literally lifted into the air, though it was still sometimes hard to see the action.
A large group of new students gathered in the upper rows. To support their classmates Harry and Albert, they made a magical banner that read "Black and Potter Must Win" with a dynamic image of a lion chasing a snake.
Madam Hooch acted as the referee, standing in the center of the pitch with her broomstick, waiting for the teams to come out.
When the players emerged from the locker rooms and entered the pitch, Madam Hooch told them, "Listen, I want everyone to compete with fairness and integrity."
At that moment, Seamus said to everyone, "Madam Hooch, warn Slytherin that their playing style can be dirty, especially their captain, Marcus Flint. Under his leadership, Slytherin sometimes resorts to unscrupulous tactics."
"It seems that no matter where you are, there will always be some people who don't adhere to sportsmanship," Hermione, Seamus, and many classmates who had grown up in the Muggle world nodded in agreement.
"Everyone, please mount your brooms."
Everyone mounted their brooms.
Madam Hooch blew her silver whistle forcefully.
Fifteen brooms rose from the ground and soared high into the sky, starting the game.
"Angelina Johnson from Gryffindor has immediately grabbed the Quaffle—what an excellent Chaser and also a very talented witch—"
"Lee Jordan!"
"I'm sorry, Professor."
Even though Albert was playing on the field with his teammates, he felt that, aside from the impressive performances of the players, the most intriguing aspect of Hogwarts Quidditch was Lee Jordan's commentary. Not only could he describe the situation on the field quickly and accurately, but the various quips and phrases he used infused the commentary with vibrancy.
Of course, since his interpretations were biased and sometimes overly emotional, Lee Jordan now always provided his commentary under the close supervision of Professor McGonagall.
"She's really sprinting down the field and made a beautiful pass to Alicia Spinnet, a standout talent for Oliver Wood who was just a substitute last year. The Quaffle is now with Johnson. And now—oops, Slytherin has stolen the Quaffle! Marcus Flint, the captain of Slytherin, has taken the Quaffle and is soaring away. Flint is like a hawk in flight—he's about to score—no, Wood, the Gryffindor Keeper, made a beautiful save and blocked the shot. Now Gryffindor has possession. That's Gryffindor's Seeker, Albert Black, soaring high above the field. He's maneuvering around Flint—ouch, that must have hurt—Flint just got hit on the back of the head by a Bludger accidentally struck by one of his own team's Beaters."
Lee Jordan: "Oh, Gryffindor Seeker Albert Black is dodging Slytherin's Beaters and hasn't been hit by a Bludger. What a promising player! He's one of the best Seekers I've ever seen."
"Oh, here comes Katie Bell right in front of Albert Black. It's like she's telling him he won't get past her."
Lee Jordan: "Now, what will Albert do?"
Albert stopped when he saw an opponent blocking his path to the goal, so he had to use magic on his broom to make it extremely light, speeding up to pass Katie Bell swiftly.
Lee Jordan: "Oh my goodness, what speed! Albert just flew past that girl. Is this kid really playing his first game? I doubt it!"
Katie Bell was stunned by the speed at which Albert passed her.
Katie Bell: "Damn, get him!"
George Weasley: "Hahaha, well done, Albert! Show them a lesson!"
After a struggle, Albert managed to dodge most of the opposing players and reached the goal. He used the Wingardium Leviosa spell to alter the Quaffle's trajectory, sending it through the right hoop.
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