Hogwarts Emerald

Watching Lee Jordan's distant figure, Eda thought it would be better to tell the twins about this matter.

Since they're all boys, it might be easier for them to console him? She certainly didn't want comedian Lee Jordan to turn all tragic.

The Gryffindor students gathered on the same stand, holding up various banners and signs, all cheering for the players or proclaiming "Gryffindor must win" slogans.

Eda had originally planned to make a special support item, but she'd been too busy lately to find time for it.

Players from both teams walked out of the locker rooms. Gryffindor wore red team robes, while Slytherin's were green, and the cheers on the field grew louder.

"Alright, we can see both teams entering the field. I have high hopes for Gryffindor..."

The booming commentary echoed across the field, and Eda recognized the voice instantly—it was Lee Jordan.

Lee Jordan loved Quidditch. He had wanted to join the house team along with his friends, but he hadn't made it. So he chose another path; he decided to become a commentator!

That way, he could still fight alongside his friends on the field, in his own way.

The players from both sides moved to the center of the field, where Madam Hooch, acting as referee, was waiting for them.

After saying a few words to both teams, everyone mounted their brooms. With the sound of a whistle, fifteen brooms shot into the air—the game had begun!

Gryffindor seized the first chance to attack.

The three Chasers, following their practiced tactics, charged toward the opponent's hoops like an arrow, with Angelina leading the way, the Quaffle in her hand.

Commentator Lee Jordan narrated Gryffindor's offensive play with enthusiasm. Of course, his commentary was peppered with personal bias, as he took the opportunity to praise Angelina from head to toe.

Eda watched nervously as Angelina, guarded by two hefty Slytherin players, tried to break through. She worried that Angelina might get knocked off her broom, and inwardly "cursed" the two boys with every trick she knew—though her muttering was drowned out by the roaring noise of the stadium.

Angelina, pushing forward with the Quaffle, was soon cornered and looked as if she would lose the ball any moment.

Just then, she suddenly tossed the ball backward. While everyone thought the rookie had made a mistake, an unguarded Alicia appeared out of nowhere to catch the Quaffle, and with no one nearby, she shot straight for the goal!

"Alicia Spinnet has the ball, she shoots—good girl! Gryffindor scores!" Lee Jordan commented excitedly, practically ready to jump down and celebrate with the Gryffindor team.

Even Captain Charlie grinned; he knew he hadn't been wrong about these two girls. They really had surprised him.

Isn't this just a textbook give-and-go pass? If only I could... alright, maybe not.

Eda thought to herself, joining those around her in cheering for the score.

Slytherin's offense was equally sharp, as they were the strongest team among the four houses. Marcus Flint from Slytherin dodged Angelina and Alicia's attempts to chase him, and even avoided the Bludgers sent his way by the twins. Then he powerfully threw the Quaffle toward the goalpost.

Gryffindor Keeper Oliver Wood blocked Flint's shot, then launched a counterattack. Sitting confidently on his broom, Wood shook his finger at Flint in a taunting gesture, leaving Flint furious at his missed opportunity.

Cheers for Gryffindor echoed in the cold air, while Slytherin answered with frustrated shouts of defiance.

Eda cheered along with the crowd in the stands; her friends were all performing excellently after all.

Angelina and Alicia, who ate and stayed together, had developed an incredible partnership on offense. Whether one broke through the defense or made a seemingly risky pass, the other was always in sync, ready to support or intercept.

The Beater twins were just as outstanding, wielding their bats to send Bludgers hurtling toward Slytherin players, constantly keeping them under pressure. Compared to the twins, Slytherin's Beaters were hardly noticeable.

Before the match, no one had expected Gryffindor, with its heavily revamped lineup, to play like this.

Their team had four new, inexperienced players, yet these very four were giving Slytherin a hard time. Slytherin didn't know them well enough to devise any targeted strategy.

The goalposts guarded by Oliver Wood remained impenetrable, and Slytherin, still scoreless, was growing agitated. Their moves became rougher, with Pucey and Flint repeatedly body-checking Angelina and Alicia, trying to make them lose the Quaffle.

With Slytherin's increasingly aggressive tactics, they began to get more counter-attack opportunities, and finally, the hoops guarded by Oliver Wood were breached. Slytherin started scoring.

A loud chorus of boos erupted from the Gryffindor stands, with Eda also shouting.

"That's a foul! They're like uncivilized savages! Fred, George—give them a good whack, or don't bother coming back!"

The scores alternated as the game went on, but Gryffindor maintained a slight lead. Now, all they needed was to catch the Golden Snitch and end the match.

Slytherin's Seeker, Higgs, was the first to spot the Golden Snitch, darting toward the streak of gold with Charlie chasing close behind. Noticing this, George aimed a Bludger at Higgs, hoping to stop him.

Higgs easily dodged the first Bludger, but another came flying his way. George's hit was only a feint; the real threat was Fred, who was right behind. Higgs had to veer sharply to avoid getting knocked off his broom, but in doing so, he lost sight of the Golden Snitch.

Gryffindor couldn't pull ahead, and Slytherin couldn't take the lead either, so now the game depended entirely on the Seekers—whoever caught the Snitch first would win.

After the close call, the twins focused on Higgs, constantly aiming Bludgers his way to keep him scrambling and unable to concentrate on finding the Snitch.

Charlie, who had broken out in a cold sweat, now ignored the Chasers and devoted his attention to seeking the Snitch. Suddenly, a glimmer of gold flashed across the field—this time, Charlie saw it first!

Charlie began chasing the Snitch, following its path through the air. Higgs quickly spotted it too and followed, but his broom was faster than Charlie's, allowing him to close the gap swiftly, though he couldn't quite overtake him.

In a desperate attempt to catch the Snitch first, Higgs tried ramming into Charlie.

It wasn't a smart move, though, as Charlie was too solid to be budged, and the impact left Higgs wobbling.

Charlie was now inches away from the Snitch, almost close enough to grasp it.

He stretched out his hand to grab it just as a Bludger hurtled toward him. With the Snitch within reach but danger approaching, Charlie was caught in a dilemma.

In the stands, Eda held her breath, already picturing Charlie being knocked off his broom by the Bludger.

"The Golden Snitch is right there! Can Charlie catch it? Will Gryffindor win?"

Lee Jordan's voice rang out, filled with worry that was palpable to everyone on the field.

"He dodged the Bludger! He's caught it! Charlie Weasley has caught the Golden Snitch! The victory goes to Gryffindor!"

Lee Jordan joyfully announced the match result as Charlie Weasley proudly displayed the Golden Snitch on his broomstick. Gryffindor's stands erupted in a wild celebration of their first victory of the school year.

Eda, thrilled in the stands, cast a Sonorus charm on herself and shouted loudly, "Weasley is our king!"

Her voice echoed across the entire stadium. Even Professor McGonagall, who was cheering with the rest, heard her, but she didn't scold Eda for the bold declaration.

In fact, Professor McGonagall was incredibly pleased with Gryffindor's performance today!

With the cheer called out, other Gryffindors joined in, chanting together, "Weasley is our king!"

Marcus Flint was furious.

Humiliated repeatedly by Wood during the match, he now had to watch his rivals celebrating so openly—and with that chant, no less.

In a burst of anger, he grabbed a Beater's bat and struck a stray Bludger toward Charlie.

Charlie didn't see the Bludger coming.

It hit him squarely, knocking him off his broom, and he fell straight to the ground.

"Merlin! What did Flint do!" Lee Jordan's voice spread throughout the stadium because of the microphone.

The Gryffindors who were celebrating loudly suddenly lost their voices and looked at the scene in disbelief.

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