The next evening, after practice, the Hufflepuff team held a small party in their common room to celebrate Cedric's discharge from the hospital.
His recovery was wonderful news for the team. Captain Harris had brought butterbeer from Hogsmeade village to share with everyone — though mainly because he needed a drink himself. The pressure of being team captain weighed heavily on Harris, especially after the first round of matches had left him so stressed he was losing hair by the handful.
The competition seemed overwhelming. Gryffindor boasted nearly flawless players, Slytherin combined good equipment with dirty tactics, and Ravenclaw had a full roster...
For Hufflepuff, their genius Seeker Cedric was practically their only hope for winning the cup.
Harris raised his butterbeer and clinked glasses with Cedric, "Don't worry, this kind of thing won't happen again. I plan to assign one Beater specifically to protect you. Next time the Slytherins try to play dirty, that thick bat will be smashing into their faces first."
Cedric frowned, disagreeing with this approach.
With only two Beaters total, dedicating one to his protection would sacrifice their offensive advantage with the Chasers. If opponents scored too many points, catching the Snitch wouldn't even matter.
The strategy seemed counterproductive from every angle.
He shared these concerns with his captain.
"Don't worry about that." Harris said after considering, "This is just the initial plan. We can refine it during practice matches."
Despite several more attempts to persuade Harris to abandon the idea, Cedric had little success.
No matter how well-reasoned his arguments were, Harris would deflect them with a "Let's talk after the practice matches".
Eventually, Cedric stopped pressing the issue, accepting they'd discuss it after the practice matches.
Kyle also attended the party, but not being on the team meant he could simply focus on enjoying the food.
When he reached for some butterbeer, however, an older student stopped him — wizards below fifth year weren't allowed to drink alcohol.
Kyle was disappointed but understood. He wasn't alone; even Cedric, the guest of honor, was drinking pumpkin juice.
After the party, everyone returned to their dormitories.
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭
The next few days passed uneventfully.
Kyle, like the other young wizards, maintained his usual routine of classes, meals, and homework in the library. Even Fred and George from Gryffindor showed improved behavior, losing only ten points over several days.
Minerva's pleasure at this development showed in her softer attitude toward them.
This peaceful period lasted until mid-November, as the second Quidditch match approached. One weekend morning, an exciting rumor swept through Hogwarts.
"Have you heard? The Gryffindor team has a new broom."
In the Great Hall, a Slytherin first-year eagerly shared the news.
"A new broom?" Severus Rozier, the seventh-year Slytherin team captain, scowled at this information.
With Slytherin scheduled to play against Gryffindor that afternoon, this news couldn't have come at a worse time.
"But there's more." The student continued, "I heard it's not just any broom — it's the unreleased Nimbus 2000."
"Nimbus 2000?" Someone exclaimed, "That's impossible. My uncle works in the Department of Magical Games and Sports, and even he can't get one. How could those Gryffindors manage it?"
Another student chimed in, "I heard Bill Weasley got it from Egypt, apparently after doing some big favor for the Nimbus company."
"Curse those Weasleys." Someone growled, pounding the table, "What about this afternoon's match? The Nimbus 2000 must outperform our Nimbus 1700s by leagues."
The first Slytherin student stood up, "I'll write to my uncle straight away to see if he can get us one too."
"Will there be enough time?"
"There should be."
Nearby, the Slytherin team members listened with grim expressions, their appetites gone.
Rozier angrily flipped his plate, "Why now, of all times?"
As longtime rivals of Gryffindor, he couldn't stomach the thought of losing to them.
"Let's not panic." Someone reasoned calmly, "The Nimbus 2000 isn't just some trinket to be handed out freely. Besides, this news came rather suddenly — it might be a ploy to throw us off..."
"Ooooh!"
Sudden exclamations filled the Great Hall.
"Look, what's that!"
As if to mock his words, six long-eared owls soared in carrying a long, thin package, which they deposited on the Gryffindor table.
From its shape, it was unmistakably a flying broom. Though tightly wrapped, they could see the broom's tail was longer than the Nimbus 1700's, with a distinctly different shape from any current market model.
The Weasley twins held the package, animatedly discussing it with their teammates. Even from across the hall, their excitement was palpable.
The Quidditch players kept casting knowing glances toward the Slytherin table.
Rozier interpreted their looks as mockery, and his fury boiled over. He reached to flip his plate but found it empty — so he upended a first-year's plate instead.
"Everyone, gather information." He snarled through clenched teeth, "Whatever it takes, find out if that's really a Nimbus 2000."
"What if it is?" Someone asked.
"Then write home and get us one too!" Rozier roared, "What are you waiting for? Go!"
The Slytherin players dispersed immediately, and the rest of their housemates quickly fled the Great Hall.
With Rozier in such a volatile mood, no one wanted to become the target of his rage.
✭✭✭
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