Chapter 25 Seniors of the Academy Team
Seven PM, Quidditch Pitch.
Today, Slytherin had the right to use the Pitch, and all seven members of the house team were waiting there, with SeekerTerence looking a bit grim.
Because his position was being challenged by a somewhat well-known first-year student.
But since Professor Snape himself recommended the candidate, he couldn't refuse and could only let his skill speak for itself.
He didn't believe an eleven-year-old boy who had never touched Quidditch could defeat him, an experienced Seeker, without any training.
A few minutes later, Aaron arrived, with Abey walking obediently beside him. Besides them, Professor Snape also came along.
Seeing this, the house team members all looked a bit unnatural. If it were just Aaron, they could have given him a hard time.
But with Dean Snape present, they could only cooperate obediently, not daring to make any small moves.
"Hi! Good evening, seniors!" Aaron greeted, then went around shaking hands with each of them, appearing very excited.
Although they were unwilling to let this "backdoor" first-year student join the house team, they couldn't hit a smiling face.
Since he was acting so politely, even if they were unwilling, they had to respond obediently, after all, the Dean was still there, and Professor Snape's authority in Slytherin was quite high.
"That's enough! Don't tell me you specifically called me here just to watch you have friendly exchanges with them," Professor Snape said with a cold face.
"Of course not!" Aaron turned and said, "I called you here just to avoid trouble.
Although I'm a Slytherin first-year, I've been at school for two weeks now, and I know a few things.
Some Slytherin students are very arrogant, and the house team members are even more conceited. Breaking game rules is commonplace, and I don't think they'll be very friendly to me, a new student.
If I didn't bring someone with a high enough status to support me, I estimate I'd have to spend about half an hour dealing with their Make things difficult.
Although I don't care, it's better to avoid trouble!"
Professor Snape heard this, looked at the seven, and saw them gritting their teeth, angry but not daring to speak. His face instantly darkened, and he immediately cursed, "Look at yourselves now, you're really embarrassing Slytherin.
Is Slytherin really unable to withstand a challenge? I'm not asking him to directly replace Terence. The capable rise, the incompetent fall. If you don't even have this much confidence, then put down your magic broom and withdraw from the house team as soon as possible.
Otherwise, prove that you are stronger than him."
The seven were so humiliated that they wished for the ground to swallow them. In fact, it wasn't as serious as Professor Snape made it sound; they weren't unable to accept a challenge, just a little unconvinced.
But facing an enraged Professor Snape, they dared not say another word.
"Ahem! Professor Snape, that's enough," Aaron said. "They didn't mean it."
Saying that, Aaron looked at the seven "seniors" of the house team, his expression full of apology, "You all don't need to worry. I'll only participate in this one match against Gryffindor in Quidditch, and I'm not saying I'm going to actually replace Senior Terence.
It's just that Dean Snape felt that since Gryffindor changed to a first-year Seeker, we Slytherin shouldn't bully them, so he could only find me, a first-year student, to compete fairly with Harry Potter.
I solemnly promise you all that after this match, I will withdraw from the house team, absolutely will not affect the friendship of my seniors, and will never again participate in Quidditch matches organized by the school."
The seven members of the house team looked at each other, a bit slow to react.
They had thought Aaron was getting in through the back door, but they hadn't expected such a reason.
And he was so sincere! He wouldn't participate in Quidditchanymore; what a huge decision that must be! In comparison, they seemed a bit ashamed.
However, none of them noticed that Professor Snape's face had already developed a few dark lines. If he didn't want to participate in the match, then he didn't want to! Was there any need to say it so grandiosely?
But this guy really wasn't someone to be trifled with. In just a few words, he changed the proud Slytherins' perception, even gaining a bit of their goodwill.
Tsk tsk! The Gaius Family truly has a successor.
With this skill of speaking nonsense with a straight face, he could at least make this family glorious for several decades.
"Hmph! No more nonsense," Professor Snape said, then looked at Aaron. "You're quite adept at borrowing power, but the outcome will only be known after the competition."
"Professor Snape, I completely understand your meaning!" Aaron said humbly. "My strength may not be able to surpass Senior Terence, but at least I need to gain the recognition of the house team, otherwise I wouldn't be qualified to represent Slytherin in the match."
"Just know it."
"Thank you for your understanding, Professor. However, before the official match begins, I need to clarify something.
I usually have a lot of things to do, so I might not have much time to train before the official match."
As soon as these words were spoken, Professor Snape and the house team's expressions weren't very good.
Even with talent, you shouldn't waste it like this! Not training before a match, did he really think Quidditch was nothing?
"Don't push your luck," Professor Snape said coldly.
"Professor, please let me finish. My idea is that I will compete against the seniors in three matches.
A Seeker on the field only needs to focus on the Golden Snitch, so participating in training isn't that important.
So I suggest the first match will only have the Golden Snitchon the field. Whoever, Senior Terence or I, catches it first wins. If I happen to win, it proves I have the ability to participate in this Quidditch match.
The second match will also be about who catches the Golden Snitch first, but compared to the first match, we'll add a little difficulty: two bludgers for interference. If I happen to win under these circumstances, it proves that I didn't win the first match by luck, and that way, all the seniors will be convinced.
As for the third match, it's still about who catches the Golden Snitch first. In addition to adding bludgers, we'll also add a quaffle, and I'll ask the seniors from the house team to come down and block me, but without using Beaters' bats.
If, even then, I, an eleven-year-old first-year, can still win, then..." Aaron paused, smiling at everyone on the house team, "...don't disturb my studies before the match, and also..."
"Are you trying to challenge our entire team by yourself?" Captain Marcus interrupted him unhappily. This was simply blatant provocation.
"Hey! Of course not, how can you say that?
I'm just trying to simulate the match scenario as much as possible."
"You..."
Marcus was about to say something but was stopped by a look from Professor Snape. He looked at Aaron, "What else?"
"Also, there must be no fouls during the official match," Aaron said very seriously. "After all, winning by fouling doesn't mean anything.
Although I won't foul, I don't want to hear others say that Slytherin's victory was achieved by fouling.
Of course, seniors, you can also choose not to agree to the third match; the first two are enough. But in that case, don't call me for training before the official match either."
"Agree, of course we'll agree, why wouldn't we?" Marcus said with a sneer. "But I guarantee you'll regret it."
"Very well, then please, Professor Snape, be our witness."
Everyone looked at Professor Snape, who was clad in black robes. He looked at Aaron with a gloomy face, "Are you sure you want to do this? They might not go easy on you."
"Yes, but..."
"But what?"
"But when I cry for help, Professor, you must save me," Aaron said righteously.
Professor Snape's mouth twitched, "So you do know fear after all?"
"Nonsense, why else would I call you here? Do you really think just showing up is enough? Then your worth as a Dean would be a bit too low."
Hearing Aaron's confident tone, Professor Snape's face darkened, but he also nodded blankly. Then he looked at the house team, who were ready to go, prepared to give Aaron a memorable lesson, and said calmly, "I agree to these three matches, but you all must not hold back. I'll cover you at the critical moment."
The seven members of the house team exchanged glances and nodded in unison.