บท 36: Chapter 36: What a Coincidence!
(Vote By Stones plz)
Tom was seeing the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch for the first time. The pitch, bathed in the evening twilight, looked desolate without the excitement of a match, giving off an eerie vibe. The Quidditch pitch was oval-shaped, measuring five hundred feet in length and one hundred and eighty feet in width. In the center was a two-foot-wide circle where Bludgers, Quaffles, and the Golden Snitch would be released during matches. At the endpoints of the pitch's long axis, there were three fifty-foot-high goalposts with rings on top, representing the scoring area for Quaffles. Surrounding the pitch were the stands, divided into four sections based on the houses, along with the professors' podium, providing spectators with a bird's-eye view of the entire field.
**[Quest: Exploring the Magical World
Stage Four Progress: 4/8 Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch Unlocked]**
As expected, the Quidditch pitch was also considered an anchor point. Tom found a spot and sat down, waiting patiently for the captain's arrival. After a week of exploring various classrooms in the castle, Tom had discovered only two new anchor points: the Hogwarts greenhouse and the Astronomy Tower. Today, he added another location: the Quidditch pitch.
Tom waited for a while, but Captain Ritchie didn't show up. Instead, he encountered a familiar face: Harry, who he had briefly met on the train. Earlier in the day, six owls had delivered a package to Harry, and it appeared to contain the broomstick he was currently carrying. Harry seemed genuinely delighted and eager as he walked, humming a tune. However, when he saw Tom, he was clearly taken aback.
**Harry:** "Why are you here?" (x2)
**Tom:** "I'm here for a walk." (x2)
**Harry:** "What a coincidence..." (x2)
Then both of them fell into silence.
**Harry:** "..."
**Tom:** "..."
Harry was surprised, but Tom was not particularly shocked. He knew that Harry was going to be recruited into the Gryffindor Quidditch team ahead of schedule, but he hadn't expected that Harry's tryout would also be scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m.
This was a bit awkward, but Harry was far more uncomfortable in this situation. He still had a forbidden item with him, and first-year students were not allowed to own broomsticks. At this moment, Harry felt fortunate that he had encountered Tom, a Ravenclaw, and not someone else. Tom had seen him with the broomstick earlier, but he didn't seem inclined to report him. Of course, Harry wasn't afraid of being reported, either.
Seeing Tom's gaze fixated on his broomstick, Harry managed a sheepish smile. "A friend gave it to me... I couldn't resist taking it for a spin."
Tom responded, "Your friend must be quite wealthy, to give you a Nimbus 2000 willingly." Tom enjoyed teasing people who acted tough but couldn't follow through.
Harry forced a laugh and said, "Oh, is this a Nimbus 2000? I'm not very knowledgeable... Anyway, can you keep it a secret?"
Fortunately, Tom didn't press further. He changed the topic, and the two continued chatting casually. At the same time, they were both anxious because it was getting close to 7 p.m., and Wood was about to arrive.
...
Alexander Ritchie was in a good mood because his house team might be gaining a talented newcomer.
Oliver Wood was also in a good mood because his house team was about to gain a talented newcomer.
Today, Alexander Ritchie was going to the Quidditch pitch to determine the best position for the new player. Today, Oliver Wood was also going to the pitch to determine the best position for the new player. Ritchie had arranged to meet at 7 p.m., and so had Wood.
And that's how the two captains ended up running into each other on their way to the pitch.
Ritchie and Wood looked at each other and fell into an awkward silence. Eventually, the rhythmic thumping sounds coming from the wooden boxes they each carried broke the silence.
**Ritchie:** "What a coincidence, didn't expect to run into you here. What are you here for?"
**Wood:** "Just taking a walk. Had a bit too much for dinner, so I thought I'd walk it off."
**Ritchie:** "Then why are you carrying two broomsticks and a box?"
Ritchie couldn't help but think, "Aren't you carrying a box too?"
Wood didn't pursue this question further, and the two men looked at each other and smiled. Both of them knew each other's purpose, which was effectively the same as not knowing at all. Moreover, while they hadn't read a certain sacred book, they knew the importance of distinguishing between friends and enemies. Was Ravenclaw really a friend of Gryffindor? There was some debate about that. But from Ritchie's perspective, this situation could only benefit him. To take it a step further, even if Gryffindor got a strong addition, it wouldn't make up for their current shortcomings and would instead create problems for Slytherin. And from Wood's point of view, he couldn't lose in this situation. After all, even if Ravenclaw gained a strong player, it couldn't surpass Gryffindor, which had already made up for its weaknesses. Instead, it would create problems for Slytherin, which was good news.
So, both captains entered the Quidditch pitch together. The presence of these two captains left Harry in shock, but Tom wasn't surprised. Wood explained the Quidditch rules to both Harry and Tom, and then the four of them split up to conduct their respective tryouts.
Ritchie handed Tom a broomstick that was in almost new condition. "Take this. It's a Cleansweep Seven, the standard broomstick for our team. It offers excellent value for money, and unless you have specific requirements, most of us use this broomstick for matches."
Afterwards, Ritchie's mood was slightly downcast. He had recognized the model of the broomstick Harry was holding with just a glance—a team captain couldn't possibly fail to recognize the famous Nimbus 2000. He really wanted to take it for a spin!
"Too bad Professor Flitwick would never buy such a broomstick for students. He doesn't have the same strong desire to defeat the Slytherin team as Professor McGonagall," Ritchie thought to himself. However, he had heard some rumors. Apparently, Professor McGonagall's determination to see Slytherin defeated had been fueled by a foul committed by a Slytherin player during a match when she was in seventh year. She had broken several ribs and suffered a concussion. Since then, her lifelong wish had been to see Slytherin soundly beaten on the Quidditch field.
(End of Chapter)
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