Chapter 34: There is a price to pay for being in the spotlight
On the field, Aaron held the Golden Snitch, enjoying the joy of victory with the rest of the House team.
Harry, feeling somewhat guilty, lowered his head, not daring to look at Wood, who had placed high hopes on him.
"Sorry, if only I had tried harder just now…"
"No need to apologize, you did your best.
At least this time, we are truly convinced." Wood consoled him, though he also felt quite regretful. But as a competent captain, he knew how to alleviate the pressure on his team members.
"Exactly." The Weasley twins were also quite surprised, "This match was very unusual."
The other twin emphasized, "Especially unusual. Slytherindidn't have any fouls, they really played to their full potential."
"I know that. It seems it was a condition for Aaron to join the House team; he doesn't allow Slytherin to commit fouls during matches," Harry said, raising his hand. This was the only valuable piece of information he had obtained.
Wood raised an eyebrow, "It seems he truly loves Quidditch, and he's quite remarkable to be able to keep six unruly players in line.
But then again, Slytherin respects strength. If Aaron were mediocre, Marcus would never have agreed to this condition."
"Not only that." Angelina said, "I don't know if you noticed, but I certainly did."
"Noticed what?" Harry asked.
"Aaron's finger." Angelina pointed at Aaron, who was not far away, "His finger is still bleeding."
Several team members looked over simultaneously and saw Aaron's right hand, which was behind his back, dripping blood. They all gasped.
Wood sighed, forcing a smile, "Harry, honestly, losing to him is really nothing to be ashamed of.
At least I've never seen an eleven-year-old player do that. It must hurt a lot."
Harry nodded silently. Since the others weren't blaming him, he felt a little better… After everyone left, Dracoreluctantly returned the cat in his arms to Aaron, "Aaron, you were really cool just now. This is the most beautiful win Slytherin has ever had, beating Gryffindor by a full one hundred and sixty points."
"Right! But I'm never doing that again."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because showing off comes at a price." Aaron said with a wry smile, opening his right hand, which was already stained with blood.
"You're injured?" Draco's eyes widened.
Abey showed even more concern for his owner, biting off a piece of his scarf and doing his best to wrap Aaron's finger.
Then, he took out a candy from his clothes pocket and offered it to Aaron's mouth with his soft, squishy paws.
This series of actions truly stunned Draco. As the heir of House of Malfoy, he had seen all kinds of pets, but one as sensible, loyal, and intelligent as Abey was probably only found among rare magic creatures.
"Sometimes I really doubt it's just a cat." Draco said, astonished, then looked at Aaron's wound, "Still, let's go to the hospital wing first!"
"It's fine, just a scratch." Aaron rubbed Abey's head, "Although it bled a bit, no bones were hurt. A simple bandage will do the trick.
Plus, with the Potion I brought, I'll be good as new after two days of rest."
On the other side, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hagridwalked together.
Hermione explained to Harry and Hagrid about Snapecursing on the field, with Ron corroborating her story.
"Nonsense, why would Snape curse Harry's broom?" Hagridexpressed disbelief. Would a Professor harm his own student during a match?
Clearly, he wouldn't.
"Who knows, but my broom certainly went out of control.
Aaron also said someone was trying to harm me, and now it seems that person is very likely Snape.
He's been hostile towards me since the first day of school; he must have an unspeakable secret."
"Haha!" Hagrid laughed loudly, "Harry, everyone has their own unspeakable secrets. I do too; I keep many pets at school."
"Pets?" Ron paused, "I suddenly remembered the Cerberuswe three saw earlier in the room on the right corridor of the fourth floor of the school."
"You've seen Fluffy?"
"It even has a name." Hermione was a bit startled, "That monster is really yours?"
"Of course, I bought it from an Irishman in a pub last year, and then lent it to Dumbledore to guard…"
"Guard what?" Harry immediately asked.
"I can't say." Hagrid's voice suddenly lowered, then he glared at the three of them, saying sternly, "Don't ask anymore, don't ask any more questions. This is top secret.
In short, this has nothing to do with you. It's very dangerous.
What that dog guards is only for Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel."
"Nicolas Flamel?" Harry's lips curved slightly, as if he had discovered a new continent.
Hagrid opened his mouth, then walked towards his hut with some shame, muttering incessantly, "I shouldn't have said it, I really shouldn't have let it slip, I really shouldn't have let it slip…"
"I have a feeling." Harry turned around and looked at Hermione and Ron, "Snape's motive might be related to what Fluffy is guarding."
"Harry, Snape did curse your broom, but that only proves he wanted to harm you, and it might not have anything to do with what Fluffy is guarding." Hermione said, "That's too far-fetched."
"No, it is related." Harry suddenly thought of something, "What Fluffy is guarding is something Hagrid and I took out of Gringotts together. Snape is a Professor at the school; he must know about this.
Perhaps he thought I knew what was in that bag, which is why he was hostile towards me and tried to harm me during the match.
Aside from this, I can't think of any other reason. After all, Snape and I have no grudges, and he has no other reason to harm me."
Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. It had to be said that Harry's speculation, though imaginative, was somewhat logical, and they reluctantly believed him.
"Does anyone know this Nicolas Flamel?"
"No." Hermione said, "But we can check the Library when we have time."
...The next day, the stadium was also bustling with people.
Aaron had withdrawn from the House team after the first match, and Seeker was once again taken up by Terence.
But even so, Slytherin's strength was still not to be underestimated.
Because Aaron had defeated Harry Potter, Snape was in an especially good mood and allowed him to sit on the Professor's stand to watch the match.
After all, it was the Dean's good intention, and he couldn't very well refuse. It was quite necessary to maintain a good relationship with the Dean and Potion Master at Hogwarts.
"You look rather unhappy!" Snape asked indifferently.
"What do you think, Professor?" Aaron, holding Abey, yawned, "Not everyone likes watching matches, especially during naptime."
"Mr. Gaius, your thinking might be a bit problematic.
Some matches can be skipped, but this match is Slytherinversus Ravenclaw. As a member of Slytherin, and yesterday's star who defeated Harry Potter, it's simply inexcusable not to come and cheer."
"Don't make it sound like Slytherin will lose if I don't come. I still miss my dorm bed more.
Besides, I promised you, and I delivered. We're even now. Giving up precious nap time to come and watch a match with you is already giving you a lot of face." Aaron said, then met Snape's cold side-glance.
Gollum!
Aaron's Adam's apple bobbed, then he glared back.
No matter what, he couldn't lose his momentum. He knew very well that Snape would absolutely not deduct points from Slytherin just because he was annoyed with him.
Gradually, both their eyes became a bit sore, until Madam Hooch blew her whistle, announcing Slytherin's victory. Only then did they blink, and then simultaneously turned their heads away.
As they were leaving, Hermione ran over and stopped Aaron.
"Miss Granger, don't tell me you're here again today to ask Professor Flitwick about spells." Snape looked coldly at Hermione. He had felt something was off yesterday. Flitwick's act was clearly improvised, and such clumsy and stiff acting couldn't possibly deceive someone who had been acting for over a decade.
However, at the time, it concerned Harry Potter's safety, so he didn't have time to investigate further. But this time, Hermione Granger had delivered herself to him. If he didn't find a reason to deduct some points from Gryffindor, then his position as Dean of Slytherin would be for nothing.
"Ahem! Miss Granger, because…"
"Hermione, you're quite punctual." Aaron suddenly said, catching Snape off guard and making him swallow the words he was halfway through.
He stared blankly at his student, hoping he could give him an explanation.
"Uh… Professor, Hermione and I have something to discuss, so I asked her to come over.
You're always so magnanimous, you wouldn't blame us, would you!"
Snape's mouth twitched involuntarily. He put on his Dean-like composure and gritted out, "No."
After saying those two words, Snape walked down towards the stand. As he passed Hermione, he paused and whispered, "Miss Granger, I won't say I hope there isn't a next time, because there are simply too many incorrigible people in Gryffindor.
What I mean to say is, you'd best hope someone covers for you next time too."