Snape's black robes and perpetually sour expression made him seem just like the "black bat" the Gryffindor students often whispered about—always appearing out of nowhere, silently and without warning.
If Draco hadn't pointed it out, hardly anyone would've noticed Snape's arrival.
After all, everyone in the Great Hall had their eyes fixed on Harry Potter—or more accurately, on the Nimbus 2000 that gleamed like the sun in the eyes of every Quidditch fan.
Naturally, Harry, surrounded by the crowd, had no idea Snape was approaching. His full attention was locked on the contents of the letter in his hands...
[Do not open the package on the table.]
"...."
Looking up, Harry saw Ron holding the Nimbus 2000 high like a sacred relic, a worshipful expression on his face. The corner of Harry's mouth twitched involuntarily.
Across from him, Hermione was already rolling her eyes so hard they could've hit the back of her head. She could see things were quickly spiraling out of control.
Regardless, the warning in Professor McGonagall's letter had clearly come too late—Ron's enthusiastic actions had already undone everything.
Sighing to himself, Harry turned his eyes away from Ron and kept reading...
[Inside is your new Nimbus 2000. I don't want everyone knowing you've received a new broomstick, or they'll all want one. Oliver Wood will be waiting for you at the Quidditch pitch at 7 p.m. tonight to begin your first training session.]
That was the entire message. At the bottom was Professor McGonagall's signature, confirming that Harry's place on the Quidditch team was official.
As Harry finished reading, a wave of joy washed over him.
A new broomstick.
The confirmation that he was now part of the team.
So much good news all at once—it nearly made Harry cheer out loud...
What he didn't expect was how quickly that joy would be crushed.
And why did Snape have to show up right at that moment?
"Let's see now—does our arrogant Mr. Potter want to make sure every wizard in school knows he got the latest broomstick model?"
"Professor, I didn't—"
"Everyone! Back to your seats! Now!!"
Snape didn't give Harry a chance to explain.
His shout sent every student scurrying back to their house tables.
The longing gazes they threw at the Nimbus 2000 only made Snape's scowl deepen.
Over at the Slytherin table, the students watched Harry with smug satisfaction.
Especially Goyle and Crabbe.
Draco had a sneaking suspicion they were going to laugh themselves right off the bench...
Once order was restored, Snape made it clear he had no intention of letting The Chosen One and his friends off the hook.
"If I were you, Mr. Weasley, I'd put that Nimbus 2000 away immediately, instead of parading it around like some trophy."
"Professor! Harry didn't—"
"For disrupting order, ten points from Gryffindor."
Hermione, who had spoken up in Harry's defense, was left speechless.
Harry and Ron, faces flushed with anger, could only lower their heads and quietly stash the broomstick under the table. They had no choice.
But Snape wasn't done.
Fixing Harry with a look that was almost venomous, Snape struck again.
"Arrogant and conceited Potter... thinking he's the best Quidditch player."
Head bowed in frustration, Harry didn't notice the fleeting moment in Snape's eyes—a flicker of something distant, like a memory from long ago.
Those last words were spoken so only Harry could hear.
Then Snape turned toward the Slytherin table.
"Mr. Potter, did you think you were the only one who could break the rules to join the Quidditch team?"
"!!!"
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at Snape, whose face was twisted with malice.
And the person he was looking at... was Draco—who had just realized something was very wrong. His expression turned uneasy...
...
The Slytherin common room.
Draco was lounging in his usual carved armchair. Nothing about the scene looked different on the surface, but everyone kept sneaking glances in his direction.
Those looks were full of anticipation—and pride.
"Can't believe it actually turned out this way?"
Pansy said it with mock surprise, but the way her face was lit up like a blooming flower made her true feelings obvious.
Draco, feeling thoroughly betrayed, gave her a helpless glare.
"You seem awfully pleased."
"Ahem—well, don't you think Professor Snape has something against The Chosen One? It all felt a bit strange."
Draco, who had already noticed that detail, gave a slight smirk but didn't bother to explain.
Pansy didn't press the matter, instead scooting closer to him in excitement.
"So? How does it feel to be the second person to break a Hogwarts rule?"
"It was definitely unexpected. I didn't think I'd get dragged into this mess."
"Ugh, that's not the point! This is a huge honor!"
"No... It just seems like Professor Snape didn't want Mr. Potter to have it easy, so he threw me into the mix."
"Who cares why it happened? Isn't the outcome great? I believe in your flying skills—you're going to crush those Gryffindors."
Anyone with half a brain could see what Snape was doing, but Pansy clearly didn't care.
"Yeah, the boss lady—I mean, Pansy—is right. If it's you, Draco, there's no way you'll lose."
"And you get to teach Harry Potter and his little sidekicks a lesson!"
Whether it was Pansy, Goyle, or Crabbe, all three were thrilled that Draco had joined the Quidditch team.
Goyle and Crabbe especially were beside themselves with excitement. Whether it was because Draco made the team, or because they'd get to watch Harry Potter crash and burn, who could say?
Either way, it all hinged on Draco's flying skills...
Draco stared quietly into the flames flickering in the fireplace.
His mind drifted back to that moment when Snape publicly announced he was making an exception and adding Draco to the Quidditch team.
He'd seen it clearly—his godfather had actually looked pleased.
'So it's true. There's definitely something going on between him and The Chosen One that I don't know about.'
The thought left him puzzled, but Draco didn't mind doing his godfather this small favor.
Besides, whatever the reward was, he doubted it would disappoint. Worst case, if he was short on potion ingredients, he'd just raid Snape's office later.
"Maybe I really should take this seriously."
Looking at the eager faces around him, hoping he'd dominate the pitch... and imagining the expression of a certain little kitten if her house lost...
Draco suddenly felt a strange flicker of motivation spark in his eyes...
...
[Upto 50 chapters ahead for now]
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