In the midst of chaos, all the players finally made it back to the ground.
Gryffindor team won, but looking at Hufflepuff celebrating not far away, they couldn't smile.
The score wasn't widening; they're still trailing Hufflepuff by 190 points, just like at the beginning.
Meanwhile, Hufflepuff, officially the losing team, was celebrating like it was Christmas.
"You really did it!"
Cho jumped up and down excitedly, "I figured out your plan early on... Abandoning the Golden Snitch—what a risky move, I could hardly imagine what would happen if it failed. Good thing you succeeded!"
"Success was inevitable." Cedric said with a smile, "Don't forget we have the best Chaser and the bravest Beater... In front of them, a Firebolt is just an ordinary thing."
"Mostly because you held off Harry." Kael laughed, "Otherwise, we wouldn't have had so much time to score."
"Exactly, Captain!" Mikel slapped his shoulder hard, "Holding off a Firebolt with a Nimbus 1700 for half an hour. Honestly... if you receive invites from a professional team tomorrow, I wouldn't be surprised, just like that Kroo... um, what's his name again?"
"Krum, Viktor Krum."
Cho added from the side, "A student at Durmstrang, also the most talented Seeker in centuries. Last year, several famous Quidditch teams were already vying for him.
Word has it, he'll represent Bulgaria in next year's Quidditch World Cup."
Cedric was originally planning to say a few humble words, because in terms of Seeker talent, he truly wasn't as gifted as Krum, and that's a fact.
The guy made a name for himself on the Quidditch pitch at 15; Cedric is the same age, yet hasn't received a single invite from a professional team... even as a substitute.
But seeing Cho's excited expression, Cedric swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue and replied vaguely.
No one knew if he was agreeing with Cho or responding to Mikel.
...
"Shameful trick!"
Suddenly, not far away, they heard Professor McGonagall's furious roar.
"Despicable, cowardly, trying to sabotage Gryffindor's Seeker! I sentence all of you to detention, 50 points off Slytherin!"
Everyone looked around, seeing the furious Professor McGonagall and several people tangled up on the field.
Malfoy, Goyle, Crabbe, and Marcus Flint... they were awkwardly struggling to escape from long, hooded black robes. Judging by their looks, Malfoy seemed to be standing on Goyle's shoulders.
Evidently, the "Dementors" just now were impersonated by them.
They put effort into it too; they chose robe colors matching Dementors and cut them raggedly. From above, they genuinely looked convincingly deceptive.
George stood nearby, gripping the bat tightly... he had glanced over briefly and instinctively shouted.
If Harry had been distracted and lost the Golden Snitch due to this, they surely would have lost the match, and he wouldn't know how to face the other teammates then.
Thinking of this, George sneakily aimed the bat towards Marcus Flint's head.
But the next second, a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.
"Excuse me, Mr. Weasley, thank you."
Dumbledore walked up from behind, seemingly oblivious to his small maneuver.
"I heard word that Dementors appeared here again... Strangely, they should all be in Hogsmeade now."
"It's these students!" Professor McGonagall explained: "They disguised themselves as Dementors, trying to affect the match..."
"No wonder..." Professor Dumbledore remarked, "Severus, does he know about this?"
"Probably not."
"Then go inform him..."
Afterward, Malfoy and company were taken back to the castle by Professor McGonagall.
Once they left the field, Gryffindor students erupted in laughter as if they had just won the Quidditch Cup. Ron was at the front, laughing so hard he was bent over.
"No wonder I didn't feel cold at all..." Cedric said, "I thought it was because I learned the Patronus Charm."
"Minus 50 points, detention... It's clear Professor McGonagall is genuinely angry this time."
"Well, they had it coming for causing trouble at a Quidditch match."
Kael commented humorously, "Besides, neither Professor McGonagall nor Professor Dumbledore likes Dementors; they basically brought it on themselves."
"Enough..." Cedric shook his head, "Everyone else is getting ready to leave, let's go back too."
The group hurried off the field without changing out of their uniforms, not to celebrate, but to take some injured teammates to the Hospital Wing.
Especially the two Chasers, the thrill of the match had worn off, and now they only felt an intense pain in their broken arms.
As for Mikel... even his speech was a bit slurred.
...
In the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey skillfully reattached Grace's arm while grumbling about Quidditch matches being too dangerous.
"Don't remove the bandages, and avoid carrying heavy things. You'll recover in a few days."
"As for you..." She turned to Mikel, "Clothes are in the cabinet, find a bed yourself; you'll be staying here for two days."
"What?" Mikel almost jumped upon hearing that, "Just a few teeth to fix, and I have to stay over?"
There's bound to be a lively party in the common room tonight, Mikel didn't want to miss it.
"Can I come on Monday?" He asked tentatively.
"Absolutely not!"
Madam Pomfrey raised her voice, "A Bludger hit you on the head; I'm already surprised you're not carried over here... Regardless, you must have a thorough examination!"
"It didn't hit me directly..." Mikel hurriedly explained, "I missed, and the Bludger bounced onto my face. It's honestly not serious."
"That won't do!" Madam Pomfrey said sternly, "Regardless of how, you must stay today. Otherwise, I'll inform Professor Sprout."
Hearing his house director's name, Mikel's face fell.
He knew he couldn't escape this now. Even if he sneaked away, they'd definitely bring him back.
A party...
Mikel felt downhearted; why did he have to miss?