Chapter 68. Cedric's Invitation
After Harry's reckless move, and with the sun about to set completely so that even seeing the goal hoops in the remaining light was a strain, everyone lost the mood to keep playing.
They put away their brooms and returned to the Great Hall, just in time for a delicious-smelling feast.
After eating, Duncan, Neville, and Fred said their goodbyes and, dragging their tired feet, slowly headed for the dormitory.
Although Quidditch is only flying back and forth on a broomstick, after a while it does get a bit uncomfortable, at least the backside aches a bit.
"Duncan, Neville, wait for me!"
Hurried footsteps came chasing from behind, the voice tinged with delight and excitement.
Duncan stopped and looked back.
A boy in Hufflepuff robes—handsome, a little taller than Fred—was running over.
"Cedric?
Do you need something?" Duncan was a little surprised, not knowing why Cedric had suddenly come to him.
Although he and Cedric were in the same House, they didn't actually interact much, only occasionally bumping into each other and exchanging greetings.
"I just saw…"
Cedric ran up to Duncan, panting as he said, "You were playing Quidditch outside.
Your coordination with Fred and George was really good, and Neville, that last pass of yours was brilliant!"
Duncan eyed Cedric, who had opened with such flattery, and asked, "Did you come over just to say that to us?"
"Of course not!"
Cedric smiled, his gaze bright as he looked at Duncan and Neville.
"I'm here because I hope the two of you will join the Quidditch team in your second year.
With you on board, we're bound to win the Quidditch Cup!"
Hufflepuff's Quidditch team wasn't weak, but there was still a gap compared with the powerhouse Slytherin.
Especially in the Chaser position, Hufflepuff's Chasers were somewhat lacking in matchups against strong teams and found it hard to score.
This, invisibly, piled a great deal of pressure on him—when searching for the Golden Snitch he also had to keep an eye on the score.
Otherwise, if the gap widened too much, even catching the Snitch would still mean a loss, which lowered his efficiency.
During the break today, he had inadvertently seen the match between Duncan and the others, and he instantly saw hope.
Although Neville's flying was still green, he had decent flying talent, and Cedric believed that with some training he would definitely be up to playing in matches.
As for Duncan, there was nothing more to say.
Not only did he have a good sense of the bigger picture, he could find the right defensive and offensive positions most of the time.
And that broomstick was as if it had grown out of his backside, bearing him about the sky at his whim.
Cedric had been stunned at the time.
He had never seen a first-year fly so deftly, as if he had been practising since the day he was born.
"Really?"
Duncan hadn't spoken yet when Neville's eyes widened in surprise.
He pointed at himself.
"I can join the Quidditch team too?"
Cedric nodded with a smile.
Seeing Neville's expression, he knew he had that side locked in for sure!
He hurried to say, "You've got good flying talent.
When the time comes, go to the trials.
You'll definitely make it through!"
"That's wonderful!"
Neville grinned foolishly, already imagining himself galloping across the pitch in team robes.
In the past he hadn't even dared to fly on a broomstick, let alone join the Quidditch team.
Now everything seemed to be turning for the better.
"If Gran finds out about this, she'll be over the moon!"
Neville thought to himself, deciding to write as soon as he got back and tell Augusta Longbottom that someone had invited him to join the Quidditch team.
Cedric turned his gaze to Duncan and asked expectantly, "And you, Duncan—do you want to join?"
Duncan pondered.
"We'll talk about it when the time comes.
It's still early anyway.
If I'm not busy then, I'll go to the trials."
"Alright."
Cedric did not force Duncan to give a definite answer.
Before the dust settled, anything was possible.
Walking beside Duncan, Cedric went along with the two of them towards the entrance to the common room, chatting casually.
Most of the time it was Neville peppering Cedric with questions.
His interest in Quidditch had surged a great deal, and he kept asking about team training or whether one got nervous on the pitch and the like.
Cedric showed not the least impatience.
He answered Neville's questions with great care, practically answering whatever was asked.
At the common room, Duncan and Neville said goodbye to Cedric and headed to their respective dormitories.
But Cedric suddenly seemed to remember something and hastily asked, "Oh right, Duncan, there's one more thing I wanted to ask you."
At his words, Duncan turned back and, with a look, indicated: go on.
"It's just…"
Cedric said with a bit of hesitation, "If it's convenient, could you tell me about your broom-flying training method?
I want to pass it on to the others on the team so they can train as well—any improvement is still an improvement…"
Duncan's expression looked a little odd.
"How shall I put it… my training method might not be very suitable for you lot…"
"Oh, it's fine."
Cedric smiled, unconcerned.
"Go on back and rest.
I hope the day we fight side by side on the pitch comes soon!"
Watching Cedric leave, Duncan and Neville continued along the corridor towards the dormitory at the end.
"Duncan, what exactly is your training method?
Why isn't it suitable for them?" Neville asked curiously.
Duncan gave him a glance and asked, "Do you know about dragons?"
Neville nodded repeatedly.
"Mm-hm.
I've seen them in books.
Those creatures look absolutely terrifying!"
"If you had a dragon chasing behind you, belching fire for a week, do you think your flying would improve?" Duncan asked with a grin.
"It certainly would, but I would never want to do that!"
Just imagining the scene made Neville shiver, and he shook his head at speed.
Duncan shrugged.
"That's why I said it's not suitable for them…"
Neville nodded on reflex, then suddenly realised and stared at Duncan in disbelief.
"You trained your flying like that?"
"Even more thrilling than that…"
Duncan replied with a smile, pushed the door open, and went into the dormitory.
In the two years before this he had travelled around the world with Newt, and it was fine when they were researching animals—at most getting chased by a few beasts.
But if they went somewhere to rescue magical creatures, that was miserable.
Under normal circumstances, the plans Newt drew up beforehand were almost never of any use.
Newt always made mistakes in some way ordinary people could hardly imagine, which exposed them.
In those situations, they had to rely on improvisation and find a place to flee at once.
Otherwise those enraged wizards would have buried them alive!
The most common method was riding brooms, or some kind of magical creature.
Each time it was a person flying in front, with the blinding green flash of the Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) chasing behind.
Over time, his flying skill naturally sharpened.
On the same make of broomstick, an ordinary wizard could not even glimpse his broom tail.
Thinking of those days of adventure, Duncan showed a look of longing.
Life at school was too comfortable, and he was about to forget that blood-stirring thrill…
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