Chapter 14
The atmosphere in the Great Hall this morning was filled with excitement and tension. Today was an important Quidditch match, and everyone was preparing for a fierce competition. However, for Ron Weasley, today was not just an ordinary match. He felt so nervous and anxious that he couldn’t even swallow a bite of his bread. This was his first Quidditch match as the Keeper.
Ron walked into the Great Hall, his shoulders tense, eyes focused on the ground. A few Gryffindor students passed by, sneering at him. Laughter echoed behind his back. Ron sat down at the Gryffindor table, facing Harry. Harry calmly held a newspaper and stopped reading when he saw Ron approach.
“Ron, don’t worry too much,” Harry said, looking at his worried friend. “You’ve practiced a lot, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Ron glanced at Harry, but his eyes were still full of doubt. “But what if I make a mistake, if I let the ball through, what will everyone think of me? They’ll just laugh at me.”
Harry shrugged, smiling encouragingly. “You’re the Keeper. Just do what you’ve practiced, everything will be fine.”
But those words couldn’t shake the worry inside Ron. He looked around, seeing people still talking about him. Then, his eyes inadvertently landed in a corner of the room.
Hermione was standing and talking to Cormac McLaggen. Cormac stood close to her, his head slightly tilted. She didn’t react, simply crossed her arms and stared at him. Suddenly, Cormac leaned down and whispered something in her ear. He smirked, looking toward where he was sure someone was watching. Hermione followed his gaze. Their eyes landed on Ron, who was watching them. She turned to Cormac and said something that made him laugh loudly, while she appeared indifferent.
“Bloody Cormac,” Ron whispered, gripping his cup tightly. “What’s he so smug about with her?”
As Hermione and Cormac laughed, Ron could clearly see the disdain in the way she acted. Hermione showed no enthusiasm, just a hollow smile, a smile that meant nothing but contempt. But Ron didn’t see that. He only saw Cormac grinning triumphantly, as if he were trying to grab her attention. Every time Cormac touched Hermione, he would look at Ron with the most disdainful expression.
“Bastard,” Ron muttered, biting his lip, his fingers turning white from the tight grip on his cup. “He’s such an idiot. He looks down on me just because he’s with her, Harry!”
Harry looked at Ron, then turned away with a calm expression. “What you need to focus on is the match, Ron. Not who Hermione’s with or what Cormac is doing.”
But Ron couldn’t hear Harry’s advice. Every movement from Cormac radiated mockery, and every time he smirked, Ron felt like he was sinking.
He couldn’t stay calm. Ron’s anger and insecurity suddenly surged, as if everything was pouring into his chest. As Ron turned away, Harry slyly dropped something into Ron’s cup. A little magic, turning the water into something strange. Ron didn’t notice anything, only focused on the frustration building inside him.
When Ron turned back, unaware, he picked up the cup and took a sip. Strangely, as the cup touched his lips, a peculiar sensation spread through his body. It started as a warm feeling, then an indistinct surge of energy, making his mind clearer and more at ease. His previous worries and anger seemed to vanish in an instant.
“Actually… there’s nothing to worry about,” Ron said, his voice suddenly more confident. A sense of self-assurance overwhelmed him. His fears and negative thoughts disappeared. Everything suddenly seemed easier. “Harry, I got it. We’re going to win!”
Harry looked at him, still smiling mysteriously, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “I knew it. Let’s go, Ron!”
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Hermione stood at the corner of the room, watching people pass by. Everyone was eagerly anticipating the Quidditch match. The Great Hall was more bustling than ever, with people walking by in a hurry. From a distance, she could see Ron entering, looking so anxious that he couldn’t even look up. Slytherin and even some Gryffindor students walked by him, mocking him.
She didn’t pay much attention, keeping her focus on the book in her hands. But the calm didn’t last long, as Cormac walked over to her. Though he had been cut from the Quidditch team, he didn’t seem bothered by it at all.
“Oh, hello, Hermione. I guess you don’t want to sit with those two idiots, so you’re over here?” He stepped closer, smirking.
“Cormac, I have no problem with them. I just want PEACE,” she emphasized each word, implying he was the one disturbing her.
“The match is about to start, and you just want peace? How boring,” he shrugged, while she just nodded indifferently. “If I were the Keeper, you probably wouldn’t need peace at all.”
She found his words somewhat amusing and looked up. “Sorry, I’ve never been interested in Quidditch. Even if the person is you.”
He didn’t seem offended but smiled with delight. He touched her shoulder, lightly running his hand from her shoulder down her arm. His hand didn’t leave her. She almost wanted to slap him immediately, but when she saw him glance toward Ron, she understood. He was trying to provoke Ron by using her. Seeing this, she allowed his hand to touch her.
Then, he leaned down close to her ear. She knew what he was trying to do, so she didn’t pull away. “You’re really interesting, not like Weasley’s nonsense. He was wrong to judge you, Hermione.”
He finished speaking with a triumphant grin and looked toward Ron, who was glaring at them. She reflexively looked as well. Ron was staring at them, clearly angry. Seeing Cormac still so confident, she remained calm.
“He doesn’t understand anything about me. Just like an idiot believing in his own thoughts,” she responded indifferently.
Cormac burst into loud laughter, covering his face with his hand. His smugness only grew. She saw this as just a casual conversation, meaningless. Especially when the conversation had to do with Ron, it became even more pointless.
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The Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin took place on a foggy day, with a chilly atmosphere covering the stadium, making everything seem blurred like a gloomy painting. The thick clouds in the sky not only hid the sun but also created a tense and suspenseful space. On the stands, students eagerly cheered, their voices booming, but one person sat quietly in the corner, expressionless — Hermione, who had no intention of getting involved in the surrounding noise. She was just a faint observer in a match that didn’t truly capture her attention.
The Quidditch pitch, shrouded in fog, looked like a mysterious arena, where broomsticks and Bludgers flew in the undefined space. The players of both teams were ready, and on their brooms, small black shadows swept by, leaving brief streaks of light in the dim air. The players raised their arms, swinging bats to push Bludgers away from their paths. The attacks from both Slytherin and Gryffindor happened so quickly that the audience could barely keep up.
Cheers echoed throughout the stands, “Go Gryffindor!”, “Go! Go!” Everyone hoped their house would win. The atmosphere reached its peak.
Ron, as the Keeper for Gryffindor, flew in the air, his red hair standing out among the crowd, but what made him stand out the most was the confident look in his eyes. His strong swings, his quick and accurate decisions. The times he caught the Bludger and saved his team made Gryffindor cheer loudly.
“RON! RON WEASLEY!”
“Go!!!”
The match went on as fast as a whirlwind. The Quaffle soared through the air, with both teams battling to score. Slytherin players pushed for more attacks, but Gryffindor’s defense stood firm, with Ron’s excellent saves helping to maintain their position. The Bludgers’ hits forced many players to dodge, while the Chasers kept passing the ball and trying to score against the opponent’s hoops.
One of the most memorable moments happened when the Quaffle flew straight toward Gryffindor’s goal. Ron, unfazed, rushed forward in a bold move to block the ball. He used his broom to dive into the Quaffle’s path, making a powerful swing, sending the ball flying out of bounds. The crowd fell silent for a few seconds before erupting in cheers as Ron successfully protected the goal.
In a smooth pass, Ron skillfully coordinated with his teammates. The Quaffle was passed from hand to hand, confusing the Slytherin players in their defense. Finally, in a lightning-fast move, the Quaffle flew into the Slytherin goal, scoring the winning point for Gryffindor.
The entire stadium erupted in cheers, the Gryffindor players celebrating their victory. But she quietly left, unnoticed.