Meanwhile, in the changing room.
Draco Malfoy and the other team members were changing into their emerald-green Quidditch robes (the Gryffindor team wore red).
The tall, Troll-like Marcus Flint was reviewing tactics: "I want to emphasize again, Chasers—including myself—our job isn't just to break through Wood's defense and score! We also need to watch for opportunities to attack Gryffindor's weak points! Adrian! What is their weak point?"
A black-haired man, equally tall and muscular with a cleft chin, replied in a deep voice, "Their Chasers! Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet. Their skills are decent. But they are physically weak. As long as I get close and give them a light bump, I can send them back to the ground."
Flint nodded with satisfaction. "Good. I'm not worried about you. You're a veteran of the Slytherin team. You know all the fouls. It's a pity you're graduating next year. But Montague will take your place then. Just like Draco took over for Terence. You need to perform well so Montague can learn from you."
He then turned to two others who, while relatively 'slender,' had exceptionally thick arms. "Derrick, Bole. You two have the toughest job. You need to guard against Gryffindor's aces—the Weasley twins. They're like human Bludgers. While intercepting Bludgers for their teammates, they can also attack us from incredible angles at just the right moment. At the same time, you need to do your job—intercept Bludgers and use them to attack the other team's players. You have advantages too; no one gets up and keeps flying after taking a hit from one of your Bludgers."
Then he looked at a man who seemed made entirely of muscle. "Miles, you just need to block the Quaffle."
Finally, he looked at Draco, the shortest and scrawniest of the seven. "You're okay, right? Terence said you're better than him. You have performed well, but your physique is also—"
Draco Malfoy took a deep breath. "I will prove I am the best!"
Fifteen minutes later.
He was straddling his broomstick.
Surrounded by his teammates.
Opposite them was the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
Madam Hooch stood in the center of the pitch as the referee, holding her broom.
"Listen, I want a nice, fair game from all of you."
Draco didn't care that Madam Hooch was staring pointedly at them as she said this.
Right now, his eyes were only on one figure.
The genius who showed skill far surpassing his own the moment he touched a broom!
"If you are a genius, then I am a genius of hard work! I will prove that hard work can surpass natural talent!"
"Bring it on! Harry Potter!"
Opposite him, Harry, who was a bit nervous because the game was about to start, suddenly noticed Malfoy staring at him unblinkingly.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the banner fluttering high above the crowd, flashing "Potter for President."
He instantly forgot his hesitation.
It felt like he was back in flying class.
The moment he and Draco Malfoy went back and forth.
His happiest moment, when he forgot all his worries.
So, he flashed a brilliant smile at Malfoy.
Malfoy's eye twitched, and he ground his teeth together.
"Is he looking down on me?!!"
Just then, Madam Hooch blew her silver whistle hard.
Harry and Malfoy kicked off from the ground, rising high into the sky along with the other thirteen broomsticks. The game had begun.
Basil looked enviously at the players flying in the sky.
He had always planned to turn a broomstick into a Summon Card.
Then he could summon ten brooms at once and, using his control over summons, have them carry a bed and fly through the sky.
That would be so cool!
However, the fastest racing broom—the Firebolt—according to the movie, wouldn't be released until the summer between second and third year, which was 1993.
Sigh, why can't Riddle fly?
He now knew that the black smoke flight used by Death Eaters in the movies didn't exist.
The only one who could fly without magical objects was Voldemort.
But that was just a rumor.
Most wizards considered it nonsense.
But Riddle said it was very likely true.
"I am someone who hates relying on external objects. I prefer to rely on myself for everything. That's why, in my search for immortality, I gave up on the Philosopher's Stone from the very beginning. And flight... I did yearn for it. Perhaps 'I' have already conquered it."
If only he could fly.
Although it seemed simple in theory: cast the spells on a broomstick or a Levitation Charm on oneself.
But considering everyone believed no wizard could fly on their own, it clearly wasn't that simple.
He sighed again and focused his attention on the game.
Hmm? Why is Angelina so pretty!
He hadn't noticed before!
What happened in the movies?
Right, there are beauties among black people, but movies aren't always great at casting them—just like the Little Mermaid or the casting for Shang-Chi.
When hearts draw close, in wizards, their Magic Fields align.
Even while restricted by Voldemort, the Diary Horcrux could draw life force this way.
As a permanent summon, the materialized second entity of the Diary—the Youth Version Voldemort—sensed his master's melancholy.
The Agony Aunt came online.
"My Lord, perhaps you might consider a trip to Diagon Alley."
Just as Basil breathed a sigh of relief watching Angelina dodge a dangerous collision from Flint, Riddle's voice chimed in.
"Diagon Alley?" Basil didn't react immediately.
Especially since Hagrid was squeezing through with his large binoculars.
"Move along, move along, make some room."
Basil, Hermione, and Ron had to make space for Hagrid.
"Yes, Diagon Alley. Have you forgotten the Mystery Shop? Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions?"
Basil suppressed his joy. "You mean, once I get to Diagon Alley, the [Fashion Component] will activate?"
Visions of cool outfits appeared in his mind.
Especially the [Midnight Phantom]. In the game, wearing it allowed you to float like a ghost.
If it really appeared, or even manifested into reality...
Becoming like a ghost—unable to truly die, passing through walls, flying—might not be impossible!
Maybe he could even hang out with the Grey Lady... cough cough.
Why isn't Riddle, my System Spirit, a beautiful girl?!
Then I could reward "her" properly!
"Don't get too excited yet. You only received the notification about the missing [Achievement Component], [Library Component], and [Duel Component] after arriving at Hogwarts and fully activating the System. It's possible that when you reach Diagon Alley, you'll receive a notification that the [Fashion Component] is missing too."
Hearing this, the System Spirits in Basil's mind—imagined as Narcissa, the Grey Lady, and others—instantly reverted to one, turning back into their original form.