As eleven o'clock approached, students and teachers of Hogwarts flocked to the Quidditch Pitch to watch the match between Gryffindor Team and Ravenclaw.
Albert and Lee Jordan followed the crowd to the Quidditch Pitch. Although they carried binoculars, both of them chose to go to the highest tier of the stands, where they could get a better view of the game.
However, many people had the same idea. Albert met several acquaintances in the stands. After smiling and greeting everyone, he joined the discussion about Gryffindor Team's chances of winning the QuidditchCup.
In fact, most Gryffindor students still had a sense of House pride; they also hoped to see their House break Slytherin House's monopoly on the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup.
This time was undoubtedly the best opportunity.
By winning this match, Gryffindor Team would win the Quidditch Cup with an undefeated record. Moreover, Gryffindor's points would instantly surpass Slytherin House's, taking the lead.
The actual situation always differed somewhat from what everyone expected. Ravenclaw was still very strong, and surprisingly, they managed to temporarily lead Gryffindor Team with a slight point advantage after the game began.
Of course, this situation was only temporary.
Charlie's pursuit of the Quidditch Cup was almost obsessive; his intense training of the team was not in vain. Gryffindor Team also began to show its strength, quickly leveling the score and then surpassing Ravenclaw.
However, Ravenclaw's performance was even more impressive than everyone had imagined; they only allowed Gryffindor to lead for ten minutes before reclaiming their previous advantage.
The scores of the two teams were chasing each other, with neither side willing to give way. This match ultimately turned into a tug-of-war.
Watching the fierce confrontation on the field, the cheers from the spectators in the stands were continuous, and even Albert could feel the unique charm of Quidditch.
Although Albert's personal impression of Quidditch was only average, it did not prevent him from being infected by the tense atmosphere on site.
"The game is very exciting. The current score is 100:110, with Ravenclaw currently in the lead." Since the commentator was a Ravenclaw student, his words were filled with a proud sense of shared glory when Ravenclaw was temporarily ahead.
"Currently, whoever catches the golden snitch first will win the final victory!" The commentator yelled at the top of his lungs, "The Seekers from both sides are entangled, it seems neither wants to let the opponent freely search for the golden snitch."
High-intensity, high-stakes matches mean that players' stamina is consumed quickly. It was now halftime, and Charlie clearly wanted to use this opportunity to adjust the team's formation and tactics.
"Cough, cough, my throat hurts a bit." Lee Jordan turned his head and asked in a hoarse voice, "Did you bring any water?"
"No water, but I have candy, want some?" Albert looked at his roommate, quite speechless, as he had actually yelled himself hoarse.
"No, eating candy would make it worse." Lee Jordanshook his head and refused.
"I thought so too." Albert unwrapped a candy, popped a chocolate candy into his mouth, and mumbled, "If you didn't yell at the top of your lungs, your throat wouldn't hurt."
"What do you mean 'yell at the top of your lungs'? I'm cheering for the team!" Lee Jordan looked at Albert in shock. "Such a great match, and you're not even moved?"
"I'm just not as excited as you are." Albert sighed. He knew that some people liked to shout when watching a game, feeling that it made the atmosphere better, but Albert clearly didn't have that habit. At most, he would clap along with everyone when Gryffindor Team scored.
Lee Jordan: "..."
It sounds like it makes sense, but it makes no sense at all!
When watching a game, the most important thing is to loudly cheer for the side you support.
"This match is indeed very exciting."
Albert noticed that Lee Jordan seemed to want to say something else, so he changed the subject, "If Fred and George knew they missed such an exciting match, they'd probably skip detention and run over to watch it."
"They'd probably be furious." Lee Jordan also felt a little sorry for his roommates; this match was truly too exciting, truly worthy of being a championship-deciding game.
Whether it was the struggle for the quaffle, the control of the bludgers, or even the pursuit of the golden snitch, everything was incredibly exciting, and both sides were very adept at using unexpected tactics.
"It won't start again for a while here. If you're thirsty, go back to the Castle for water and then come back." Albert was surveying the stadium through his binoculars, and the most agitated spectators were undoubtedly those from Slytherin House.
Most Slytherin House students hoped Gryffindor Teamwould lose the match. Only if Gryffindor Team lost this match would Slytherin House have a chance to defeat Gryffindor Team in total points and win this year's Quidditch championship.
Slytherin, having monopolized the Quidditch Cup for too long, regarded both the House Cup and the QuidditchCup as their own possessions and were completely unwilling to share them with other Houses.
"Do you think those Slytherin students, who are muttering about something, might be cursing us, hoping we lose this match?" Albert looked at the Slytherinplayers and suddenly found it a bit amusing.
"Slytherin? Cursing? Where? Let me see." Lee Jordanmoved his binoculars over and, seeing the Slytherinstudents whispering to each other, couldn't help but laugh, "This year's Quidditch championship belongs to Gryffindor, right?"
"Yes, victory belongs to Gryffindor."
"That's good, is this a sure thing then?"
"What's a sure thing?" Angelina, who was sitting above them, asked curiously.
"Gryffindor will win!" Lee Jordan was full of confidence in Albert. "Whatever this guy says, it comes true. If he says Gryffindor will win, it'll probably really happen."
Albert: "..." Classmate, you should believe in sci... ahem, you should believe in magic.
Everyone in the stands stared at Albert, very curious as to why Lee Jordan would think that. Could Albert's words really...
"I mean... you don't have to look at me like that." Albertcouldn't help but roll his eyes, self-deprecatingly saying, "If talking nonsense really worked, then why would I work so hard? I'd just say that when I graduate, I'll have twelve O.W.L. certificates and seven N.E.W.T. certificates, all with 'Outstanding' grades."
Everyone exchanged glances, but Albert continued, "Then, um, have two or three girlfriends, publish two or three books, win two or three championship trophies. After graduation, I'll make a lot of money without working, and finally live a happy and joyful life."
Albert's words made the others burst into laughter. Someone asked, "What are you doing, wishing?"
"Yes, I'm making a wish. Didn't Lee Jordan say my words are accurate?" Albert said earnestly, "Of course I'm going to give myself a boost now. If I accidentally say it and it comes true, won't I have profited?"
Everyone was speechless. They suddenly felt Albert's thought process was very unique. You couldn't say his idea was wrong. No, you should say it was quite correct.
"By the way, you actually want to get twelve O.W.L. certificates and seven N.E.W.T. certificates?" Sanna felt Albert's ambition was huge. "And you plan to get 'Outstanding' in all of them?"
Actually, Sanna thought that with Albert's talent and ability, getting twelve O.W.L. certificates and seven N.E.W.T. certificates wouldn't be too difficult, but wanting to get 'Outstanding' in all of them, wasn't that a bit excessive?
"You're also planning to publish three books?" Alicialooked Albert up and down. "And before graduation? By the way, what kind of books do you plan to publish?"
"Don't you think the part about winning three championship trophies is even more excessive?" Lee Jordan couldn't help but complain.
"I actually think that's more likely. Once he joins Gryffindor next year, he might really help Gryffindor win the Quidditch Cup."
"Cough, cough, those words, I just said them casually, and you actually believed them?" Albert was immediately speechless. He was actually just complaining a bit to avoid Lee Jordan always saying his words were accurate.
If they were really that accurate, he'd just give himself a boost and say he'd win the top lottery prize.
Then he'd become an overnight millionaire and wouldn't have to work so hard in finance.
"Is something wrong, Katrina?" Albert smiled and greeted the red-haired girl who was looking at him with disdain.
"I find you to be quite greedy. You want three girlfriends, not to mention?" Katrina looked Albert up and down. "And you even want to make a lot of money without working?"
Albert didn't pay much attention to Katrina's words and said in a joking tone, "It's not good for you to be here, are you preparing to defect?"
"Someone wants to see you." Katrina suddenly said.
"Who?"
"Mr. Smith. He's Professor Broad's friend and a good friend of my father's when he was alive. He probably heard about you and wants to meet you?" Katrina stated her purpose.
"Smith?" Albert frowned slightly.
"He's at the east exit of the Quidditch Pitch. Come with me." Katrina turned and left. Just as Albert said, it wasn't good for her to stay there.
"Oh!" Albert responded. Every time he heard the surname Smith, he couldn't help but recall some unpleasant things.
Leaving the stands, Albert walked towards the exit. He noticed two people standing there: one was Albert's old acquaintance, Isabel Macdougall, and the other should be Mr. Smith.
"Hello, Mr. Anderson." Mr. Smith walked forward with a smile on his face, greeting Albert proactively, "I am Rowena, Rowena Smith. You might not have heard my name, but I often hear about you from Morg and Bard. I've always wanted to meet you, the youngest Runesmaster in history."
"Runes master?"
Albert's expression was a bit stiff, but he still managed a polite smile and reminded him, "I never consider myself a Runes master. I only know a little about Ancient Runes."
"Modesty is not a bad thing, but excessive modesty will make people feel that you are hypocritical." Smith said with a smile.
These words truly resonated with the two girls. That's right, he was a hypocritical fellow.
"Hypocritical, am I?" Albert didn't get angry. He turned his head and retorted, "Have you ever seen anyone call a twelve-year-old a Runes master?"
"Haha, Mr. Anderson is truly an interesting person. You're right, as you said, no one would call a twelve-year-old a Runes master." Rowena looked at Albertwith interest. "I think we'll have many common topics. Let's talk as we walk."
What exactly did this person want? Albert was a bit puzzled, but undoubtedly, Rowena Smith was an expert.
It was quite normal for an expert's friend to also be an expert.
"Do so-called experts and masters like to flatter each other when they meet?" Isabelle's mouth twitched slightly.
The two of them didn't know Isabelle's thoughts. They walked and talked, discovering that there were indeed many topics they could discuss together.
To Smith's surprise, Albert was sorted into Gryffindorby the Sorting Hat?
"Gryffindor isn't just about recklessness." Albert didn't care at all, reminding him, "Dumbledore was also sorted into Gryffindor, wasn't he?"
"That's true." Smith didn't dwell too much on this issue. His casual conversation with Albert gradually touched upon other fields.
Albert was surprised by Smith's range of knowledge, but he didn't know that Smith was even more surprised that Albert had his own unique insights in various fields.
One must know, Albert hadn't even finished his first year at Hogwarts yet. Besides calling him a genius, Smith truly didn't know how else to describe the person in front of him.
The situation of this Quidditch match was actually predicted by Albert; the tug-of-war between the two sides continued, and it looked very likely to drag on until evening.
"Why does Uncle Rowena want to see that guy?" Katrina was very puzzled. She had thought Smith came for the information her father left behind, but the situation didn't seem to be like that.
"I don't know. Don't worry about them, let's go back to the stands and continue watching the game." Isabelleglanced at their retreating figures and pulled her sister away.
To be honest, Albert and Smith's conversation was not very friendly to most people.
In the eyes of the MacDougall sisters, these two guys started mumbling to each other as soon as they met, giving the two who couldn't understand a headache.
The match continued until eight in the evening, finally ending with a tired Charlie fortuitously catching the golden snitch.
No one had expected Albert's prophecy to actually come true. What did he say back then?
Perhaps, by the time your detention ends, the match won't even be over yet.
Victory belongs to Gryffindor.
In fact, both of those statements came true.
Fred and George's detention only lasted until seven in the evening. The two of them rushed to watch the match without even eating dinner, and they just caught the end.
"That was a wonderful Quidditch match." Smith said to Albert with a smile, "Congratulations to you all."
"Thank you."
"I'm leaving now." Smith turned to leave, then looked back and said, "We'll meet again soon. I look forward to your letter."
"I will."
Albert watched Smith's retreating figure, then turned his gaze to the center of the Quidditch Pitch. The members of Gryffindor were embracing each other. Charlie took the trophy and raised it high, announcing to everyone that Gryffindor had won this year's QuidditchCup.
Albert saw a relieved Professor McGonagall, disappointed Ravenclaw students, and even more, gloomy Slytherin students.
He took a step and walked towards the Quidditch Pitch.
Outside the Quidditch Pitch, Smith was strolling on the grass when a figure, Dumbledore, appeared beside him without warning.
"How was it?" Dumbledore asked with a smile.
"A fantastic Quidditch match." Smith did not stint on his praise. "I agree to that matter."
"That's wonderful." Dumbledore said cheerfully, "Would you like to have dinner together in the Great Hall?"
"No, I think there's no need to rush. I should go back." After bidding farewell to Dumbledore, Smith walked towards Hogsmeade.