The next morning, before the Quidditch match began, Kael saw Cedric in front of the Hufflepuff locker room.
Compared to a week ago, he was visibly thinner and looked particularly tired, but his eyes were brighter.
"We will definitely win!"
Cedric, holding his Nimbus 1700, turned around and walked into the locker room resolutely.
However, Kael could tell he was still a bit nervous, considering Cedric wouldn't usually walk out of step.
By the time Kael arrived at the stands, it was already a sea of people. As one of the most popular activities at Hogwarts, the Quidditch Pitch stands were always packed.
Especially for such a crucial match like today's.
Kael squeezed through the crowd to the front row of the stands, where Mikel and Ryan had already saved him a good spot.
Next to him, Conna handed him a banner embroidered with a little badger and "Hufflepuff Wins," which the little witch had made herself. She had even used Developing Potion, making the little badger wave its front paws constantly.
Kael took it and directly used a Levitating Spell to place it in the most conspicuous spot nearby.
"We will definitely win!" Mikel said excitedly, "I have a feeling Hufflepuff will take back the Quidditch Cup this year!"
"Of course," Kael agreed wholeheartedly, "Mikel, I'm sure you have the gift of a Prophet."
"Haha, I think so too," Mikel smiled broadly.
At that moment, the players entered the field.
"Look, they're coming!"
In the stands, a seventh-year student with long golden hair shouted into a microphone, "First entering is the Slytherin Quidditch team.
Although they lost a lot of points due to accidents in previous matches, they didn't give up. Under Captain Rosier's leadership, they rallied and defeated Ravenclaw and the top-ranked Gryffindor.
Can they perform a miracle today and achieve a three-peat... let's wait and see!"
"Oh! The Hufflepuff team is here too!"
The commentator raised his voice again, "Leading is Captain Harris, an excellent Chaser whose scoring record remains unbroken, and Hufflepuff's current success owes much to Harris.
"Behind him is the Beater..."
"And finally, Seeker Cedric Digory, who made up for Hufflepuff's only shortcoming!"
"Both teams are equally matched, making it a game worth everyone's anticipation."
The commentator was getting more excited, leaning almost off the edge of the stands.
With his energy, the cheers from the stands never ceased, yellow and green flags waving like ocean waves.
However, the number of Hufflepuff supporters was relatively larger, accounting for about three-quarters of the total crowd.
Gryffindor certainly wouldn't support Slytherin.
Ravenclaw wasn't as decisive, but since the badgers had good relationships and Harris would go easy during games to make sure Ravenclaw didn't lose too badly,
at this moment, most of the eagles also chose to support Hufflepuff.
"Both sides have taken their positions; the game is about to start!"
Madam Hooch, holding her broomstick, arrived in the center of the pitch as the referee.
"Listen, I hope everyone participates fairly and honestly in the game. Now, captains shake hands."
Harris and Rosier each stepped forward, gave each other's hand a strong shake, and quickly stepped back into their positions.
Once everybody was on their broomsticks, Madam Hooch blew her silver whistle hard.
Fifteen broomsticks soared into the air, rising high into the sky.
The game began.
"The Quaffle was first seized by Hufflepuff's Harris, maintaining his usual steady performance...
Marcus Flint went after him, trying to stop Harris's attack... a beautiful feint, Harris dodged it; the Slytherin goalpost was right ahead.
The Keeper, Bletchley, dove in... can he block it... missed, the Quaffle is in, Harris scores!
Ten to zero, Hufflepuff leads!"
"Oh～～～"
The cheers of Hufflepuff supporters echoed in the cold air, mixed with Slytherin's roars and groans.
Conna excitedly grabbed Kai's arm and shook it.
Ordinarily, this was just a normal action, but the little witch was surprisingly strong.
Kael felt like his arm was caught between two clamps, causing him to wince in pain.
He couldn't understand how Conna, who seemed so slight and frail and didn't eat much, could have so much strength.
Fortunately, her attention quickly returned to the game.
Kael rubbed his arm and quietly moved a bit to the side.
In just this moment of distraction, the situation on the pitch changed. Marcus successfully captured the Quaffle, and using their broom advantage, the Slytherins reached Hufflepuff's goalpost before Harris and the others.
"Marcus shoots... wait, it's a pass!
A brilliant feint tricked everyone, including Hufflepuff's Keeper, and Rosier scores for Slytherin.
Ten to ten!"
This time, it was Slytherin's turn to cheer.
"Two goals and two seemingly perfect feints within less than a minute."
The commentator was so excited their face was flushed, "It's thrilling, this match is truly thrilling!"
The match continued, with both sides scoring, keeping the score close.
Especially in the first twenty minutes when Hufflepuff fought with all their might to hold a mere ten-point lead.
Slytherin players were insanely aggressive as if on some sort of stimulant, especially Marcus Flint, who went so far as to charge in on his broom to block a goal-bound Quaffle with his face when the Keeper missed the save.
At that moment, not only Slytherin but almost everyone was cheering for him, including Harris and even Gryffindor's Charlie, who gave him a thumbs up.
No matter how many unsportsmanlike moves Marcus had in previous matches, his actions at that moment were admirable.
However, after thirty minutes, the situation shifted.
Slytherin's speed visibly slowed, and both their attacks and defense became less intense than before.
In just about ten minutes, Hufflepuff scored three consecutive goals, bringing the score to ninety-fifty.