"That was amazing... I simply can't imagine how Harry Potter caught the Golden Snitch with his mouth in the end."
"It's certain, Potter is definitely an excellent Seeker. When his broom was having issues, I thought Gryffindor was going to lose..."
"I'm sure this year's Quidditch Cup belongs to Gryffindor!"
...
In the castle, everyone was excitedly discussing what had just happened at the match.
Kael walked silently through the crowd, returned to the Hufflepuff common room, and found Cedric and Conna.
Upon meeting, Cedric impatiently asked, "What happened? Why did you come back so late, and what is going on with that Phoenix..."
"The Phoenix belongs to Professor Dumbledore, you could say it's like his pet," Kael said. "But it mostly stays in the Headmaster's Office, so you rarely see it."
Conna thought for a moment and asked, "So, the Headmaster called for you earlier?"
"Yes."
Kael glanced around and quietly explained the happenings in the Forbidden Zone to them.
"That Three-Headed Dog went crazy..."
Cedric instinctively exclaimed, then quickly covered his mouth.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course," Kael said, "Otherwise, why would I miss the match and only come back now?"
"But who would do such a thing?" Cedric asked in confusion. "Casting a Confundus Charm and Dark Magic on the Three-Headed Dog, what would be the point?"
"I don't know..." Kael shook his head. "Professor Dumbledore hasn't had time to investigate yet."
Though he said that, Kael suddenly thought of Quirrell.
The Forbidden Zone, Fluffy guarding the Philosopher's Stone... This definitely has something to do with him, but Kael couldn't figure out what his purpose was.
If he wanted to go through the trapdoor, there was no need to provoke Fluffy, as it would just complicate matters.
Besides, if Fluffy escaped, Hogwarts would likely be forced to close, and then he'd never get the Philosopher's Stone.
Can't figure it out...
"No matter what, we should try not to go near the Forbidden Zone recently," Cedric remarked, feeling a bit scared at the thought of the Three-Headed Dog. "If we must go to the fourth floor, try to stay clear of that area."
"There's no need to be overly worried."
Kael said, "Professor Dumbledore is handling it. Just be cautious and don't forcefully approach."
After Kael's explanation, Cedric and Conna no longer felt like discussing Quidditch, and they soon dispersed.
Once Kael left, Cedric suddenly remembered something he forgot to ask.
Why wouldn't the Headmaster call Professor McGonagall for such a dangerous situation, but instead summon Kael... Maybe because he's been with Mr. Scamander and knows about the Three-Headed Dog?
Cedric raised his head.
But by then, Kael had already left the common room, nowhere in sight, and clearly, Cedric wouldn't have the chance to ask.
For a period of time, Kael didn't return, even for meals.
No one knew where he was, as if he had disappeared into thin air.
Until the afternoon before the next game, Cedric saw Kael again in the locker room.
He was holding his broomstick, chatting with Harris.
"Great, Kael."
Harris smiled and patted his shoulder. "I thought you'd be too nervous to sleep, I even prepared a stimulant for you."
Then Harris lifted their spirits, everyone checked their brooms and outfits once more, and they lined up to head to the field.
Today's match was equally packed, with the crowd erupting in cheers as last year's champion team, Hufflepuff, entered.
But Kael noticed there were fewer professors near the commentary booth than yesterday.
Most of the seats were empty, aside from Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape, nobody else came.
Looks like the professors knew about Fluffy's situation... Kael thought as he joined the others on the field.
Madam Hooch gave a few usual instructions and then blew the whistle in her hand.
Fifteen broomsticks soared into the sky.
"It's Kael from Hufflepuff, he got the Quaffle first!"
Lee Jordan shouted from the commentators' booth, "He's a newcomer who joined the team just this year, and reportedly he achieved a stunning score in the selection trials. Let's see if he can... Oh, he passed the ball to captain Harris..."
For some reason, Lee Jordan suddenly became serious.
The stands echoed some dissatisfied sounds... This no-joke commentary wasn't what they wanted to hear.
But Lee Jordan ignored them.
Just kidding, yesterday he copied the entire book of "How to Commentate on Quidditch" under Professor McGonagall's supervision, writing until dawn, nearly dying in the office.
It's just been one night, he has to be more reserved.
"Everyone knows, Harris from Hufflepuff is one of the finest Chasers, and his coordination with Kael... Oh, my God! What did I just see... It's a double attack strategy!
Ravenclaw's Keeper misjudged, Kael with the Quaffle... Scores! Hufflepuff scores! Less than ten seconds into the game... They've broken the record for fastest goal!"
The stand erupted, with many fervent fans standing and cheering energetically.
"Well done!"
On the field, Harris flew back and lightly high-fived Kael.
"Perfect teamwork..." Lee Jordan exclaimed. "Ravenclaw's going to have a problem."
Just as he predicted, the entire match was entirely dominated by Kael and Harris.
They seemed like unfeeling scoring machines, repeatedly throwing the Quaffle into the goalposts.
Ravenclaw's Beaters tried to stop them, but Hufflepuff had guarded against it—the Bludgers couldn't get near Kael and Harris.
In just half an hour, the score became drastically disproportional.
Hufflepuff 170.
Ravenclaw 0.
Even Lee Jordan felt numb and commented on Ravenclaw with an involuntary tone of sympathy.
"Poor Wisner... He's like the Keeper from Chudley Cannons years ago, made a fool of... Really hope he can hold on."
At this point, Kael and Harris realized they might've gone a bit overboard.
Harris gave an apologetic glance to the disheartened Ravenclaw Keeper and silently signaled.
Kael knowingly nodded.
They planned to ease up, let Ravenclaw score a few goals.
But just then...
"Wait, is that the Golden Snitch?"
A golden streak of light appeared beneath the field, and Cedric and Cho accelerated simultaneously, shoulder to shoulder, diving rapidly towards the ground.
But Cedric's broomstick was clearly faster than Cho's, landing first.
"I've got the Snitch!" He raised his arm high, a golden object flickering between his fingers.
The match was over...