Chapter 27 Boys should be harder on themselves
Using a tactic that involved injuring eight hundred enemies while taking a thousand casualties himself, Aaron and the House team battled for over an hour. Aaron finally snatched the Golden Snitch a step ahead of Terence, at the cost of his right arm being broken by a bludger.
He hung one arm limply, exhausted, and controlled his broom to fly to the ground below. His taut nerves suddenly relaxed, and he almost couldn't stand steadily, stumbling and sitting down on the grass.
Abey immediately rushed over, looking at him with worry, then turned around and glared fiercely at the six players who were flying down one after another.
This was the first time it had been angry; a few sharp fangs emerged from its mouth, and the sides of its clothes also stretched slightly.
Seeing this, Aaron immediately pressed his left hand on its back and silently shook his head at Abey, who had turned to look at him, signaling it not to show its wings.
"My apologies, seniors, it seems I've once again narrowly won this match." Aaron gritted his teeth and forced a slight smile, enduring the pain in his arm. "Everyone, don't forget our bet. Don't make me attend practice, and no fouling during official matches!"
None of the House team members spoke, and even the arrogant Marcus remained uncharacteristically silent.
However unwilling they were to admit it, they had all been defeated by this first-Class newcomer tonight.
There was only one reason: he was more ruthless than them.
After Marcus was knocked down, the remaining six players were both shocked and furious, immediately escalating their "retaliation."
They had originally only intended to knock Aaron down after they had had enough fun.
But they hadn't expected him to be much more troublesome than they thought, repeatedly surviving in the gaps. By the later stages, when they themselves began to feel tired, trying to corner him also felt beyond their strength.
Thus, he gradually gained opportunities to chase the Golden Snitch. Although the time was short, it was much better than just trying to prevent Terence from catching it at the beginning.
That was fine; it was just a matter of stamina! Whoever gave out first would lose.
Including Terence, there were six of them. By all accounts, Aaron's chances of winning were several times higher; it was practically impossible for him to lose.
But who would have thought that the opponent wouldn't play by the rules? In the last few seconds before the match ended, the Golden Snitch and two bludgers were very close together.
Terence, as a Seeker, was somewhat intimidated by this situation and dared not approach, only following closely behind.
Aaron, however, seized the opportunity and lunged directly, reaching for the Golden Snitch under the disbelieving gazes of everyone.
Without surprise, the two bludgers attacked simultaneously. Aaron narrowly dodged the first but was hit in the right arm by the second, the 'crack' of a bone breaking clearly audible on the field.
However, he didn't utter a sound, decisively extended his left hand, caught the Golden Snitch, and won the match.
If they were in his shoes, they wouldn't have had that kind of courage.
Because this was just a regular match—no, it wasn't even a regular match. They had no reason to take such a risk.
Even in a truly major match, well! They wouldn't have the guts to sacrifice an arm for a slim chance of victory.
But Aaron did it anyway, and he succeeded.
After more than two hours of this match, they wouldn't believe that Aaron was brainless and only rushed for the ball on impulse.
It was obvious that he had already considered the price he would pay before doing so.
Is he really eleven years old? Does he really need to be so hard on himself?
Through this crazy act, these seven arrogant Slytherin also realized that Aaron was not someone they could easily control.
"Since everyone isn't speaking, I'll take that as your agreement," Aaron said, slowly standing up.
"Don't worry, they will keep their promise," Professor Snapesaid. Then he looked at Marcus, "You know what to do before the Quidditch match, don't you?
You are the Captain, and I expect you to lead by example. If you cannot even fulfill this simple request, then do not claim to be a student of Severus Snape in the future."
"Understood!" Marcus nodded. He knew that from now on, they couldn't cut corners; to achieve good results, they would have to train diligently.
"Don't disappoint me," Professor Snape said indifferently, then supported Aaron. "You're not looking too good. I'll take you to the infirmary first."
"Okay! I feel like my arm is about to break," Aaron said, wincing in pain.
"About to break? Mr. Gaius, you should be more confident; it's already broken."
Aaron gave a bitter smile, "If Professor, you were a bit more reliable and saved me in time, this wouldn't have happened."
Hearing this, Professor Snape's expression turned odd. "You ran into it yourself. None of us expected it. You can't possibly expect me to take responsibility, can you?
Besides, didn't you not call for help?"
"Alright! You're right on this one; I can't argue with you.
However, Professor, you really don't understand humor."
The two arrived at the infirmary, and Madam Pomfreyrushed over. As an experienced school nurse, she knew what had happened just by looking at Aaron's arm and said crossly, "How long has it been since school started? You, a first-Class student, dared to play Quidditch and broke your arm."
"Madam Pomfrey, I know what's wrong with my student better than you do," Professor Snape said coolly. "If you want to lecture him, perhaps choose another time!
It's almost curfew, and I don't want to have to take him back to the common room again, so could you please treat him quickly and give him the fastest-acting remedy?"
"Hmph! Just a moment," Madam Pomfrey said, then went to a nearby shelf and took down a small bottle of red potion, handing it directly to Aaron. "Drink this, and then rest for one night; that should be enough.
However, for the next two days, it's best not to use your right arm too much, or you might have to come back again."
"Understood!" Aaron said sincerely, without hesitation, grabbing the bottle and drinking it in one gulp.
The potion had a strange taste, both bitter and astringent, extremely unpleasant, but the effect was immediate.
Less than ten seconds after drinking it, Aaron felt a warm sensation in his arm, and the pain was replaced by a slight itch. He could even perform some minor movements.
"Do you need a bandage for your arm?" Madam Pomfreyasked.
"That won't be necessary."
"If you don't want to go to the common room, you can recover in the infirmary for two days. I'm sure Professor Snape will prepare a sick note for you."
Aaron was tempted. After all, he was injured, and being able to take two days of sick leave would be ideal.
There weren't any particularly important courses in first Class, and most knowledge could be obtained from books.
But looking at these empty white beds, it felt a bit strange late at night.
Although Hogwarts was not short of ghosts, this environment really affected one's mood. The dormitory bed felt much more welcoming.
"Thank you very much for your suggestion, Madam Pomfrey.
However, I don't want people to know I'm injured.
Besides, I'm fine now, so I won't miss Class."
Madam Pomfrey smiled. "Alright, little Wizard, since you're so opinionated, I won't keep you.
There are twenty minutes left until curfew, so you still have time to get back."
"Understood," Aaron said, then stood up and walked towards the door.
What he didn't expect was that Professor Snape, with his poker face, actually escorted him all the way to the common room door, without saying a single word the entire time.
It was clear that he cared deeply about his students but was extremely bad at expressing it.
"Professor, if you didn't always have such a cold expression, you would definitely be more popular than anyone else," Aaron said meaningfully.
"Hmph! Do you think I'm concerned about you?
Don't be ridiculous. I'm just worried you'll get lost or won't make it back to the common room in time.
If Filch catches you, it's Slytherin's reputation that will suffer."
"Yes, yes, you are Professor, you are right," Aaron said hurriedly, then made a gesturing motion, but not inwards, but towards the adjacent corridor.
After all, this was the students' common room. If he invited the stern Professor Snape inside, many students would probably have nightmares tonight.
Professor Snape 'hmph'ed and left expressionlessly.
Aaron spoke the password, opened the door, and quietly walked towards his dormitory.
However, he coincidentally ran into Malfoy, who looked at Aaron, exhaustion written all over his face, in surprise. "Where have you been? Why are you back so late?"
Aaron glared at him. "Thanks to you, Professor Snapewanted me to join the House team, so he dragged me over for the House team tryouts.
Over two hours! I was almost exhausted to death."
Malfoy's eyes darted away, feeling awkward but also a little expectant. "You must have passed the tryouts, right!"
"Of course, all the seniors on the House team unanimously agreed to let me be Slytherin's Seeker."
"That's great!" Malfoy said excitedly. "With you, we'll definitely defeat Harry Potter."
Aaron:...How much does this brat hate Harry Potter?
But never mind. They were all eleven-year-old kids; let's just treat this rivalry as a joke.
"Ahem! We'll talk about that later.
You must keep it a secret that I'm Slytherin's Seeker. I don't want too many people to know before the official match."
"Don't worry, my lips are always sealed," Malfoy said, patting his chest to guarantee.
For some reason, looking at his confident expression, Aaroninstead felt that he wouldn't be able to keep the secret.