Chapter 148 Clash between Two College Teams
Back in his dormitory, Aaron lay on his bed, a smile he couldn't suppress playing on his lips.
The Class process was even smoother than he had imagined; starting tomorrow, the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class for this school year would be entirely at his disposal.
Whether he was sleeping or reading extracurricular books, Lockhart would turn a blind eye.
However, Aaron wouldn't idly waste his time to improve himself; the study of magic circles couldn't stop. This was a more difficult and complex magic than spells, requiring a lot of time for practice.
It took him two months to memorize all the basic magiccircles carved in his family's Chamber of Secrets, including summoning, elemental, teleportation, auxiliary, enhancement, decomposition, sacrificial, and many more types.
After understanding the wonders of magic circles, he naturally yearned for this profound magic. The combination of various magic circles could even be called an art.
But even he had only memorized their shapes and the flow of magic that needed attention during carving.
In short, it would take him some time to carve out a magiccircle, and in a real battle, the enemy wouldn't give him any chance.
In the words of Wehert Gaius, he would only be considered barely proficient when he could complete one or even multiple magic circles instantly without any medium.
The first step to proficiency was to shorten the time required to carve magic circles, and where would he find that time during school? Undoubtedly, it would be the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class.
In the following days, Aaron, like other students, studied and lived routinely. When he had nothing to do, he would visit the Library and diligently practice carving magiccircles.
Until Saturday, Aaron woke up early. After breakfast, he took Abey and went outside the Castle.
Draco was participating in Slytherin's first team practice and had asked his former Seeker to come and support him.
When he arrived at the Quidditch pitch, he found Hermioneand Ron were also there.
"Good morning," Aaron greeted. "Why are you two here?"
"Waiting for someone," Ron said. "We had planned to visit Hagrid with Harry, but it seems he's been held up by Wood.
The Gryffindor team is having special training, and as their Seeker, he naturally can't avoid it."
Aaron was stunned for a moment, looking at the empty pitch, his face twitching slightly. "Are you saying Gryffindoris having special training today?"
"Yes! Since we're free, watching Quidditch is quite interesting.
Worst case, we'll go to Hagrid's Hut after Harry finishes training," Ron said matter-of-factly, then looked at Aaronwith some surprise. "I remember you weren't very interested in Quidditch. What made you decide to come to the pitch?"
"Uh... you really don't want to know why."
Aaron was a bit speechless. Gryffindor was having special training today, and Slytherin was also training today, which meant the two teams might meet on the pitch. Who knew if there would be any conflict?
"Do you want to come with us to see Hagrid later?" Hermione asked.
"Hehe!" Aaron pointed meaningfully at Abey in his arms. "Are you sure it's appropriate for me to go? Hagrid has been coveting my Abey for more than a day or two."
"Hagrid knows his limits.
With you, his owner, there, he won't mess around."
Aaron smiled but said nothing. It sounded good, but he didn't believe a word of it. After all, the gamekeeper had a record.
Not long after, the Gryffindor team, dressed in red uniforms, entered the pitch.
However, apart from Captain Oliver Wood, everyone else looked dispirited.
"Did they not eat breakfast this morning?" Aaron asked, somewhat surprised.
"Probably more than that," Ron said with a wry smile. "Woodwoke them up a few hours early. Forget about eating, they probably didn't even get enough sleep."
Aaron pursed his lips. This Captain was a bit too serious!
Recalling that Draco had also woken up an hour earlier than usual today, he couldn't help but feel lucky that he had promptly withdrawn from the team.
Seven broomsticks flew into the air as Gryffindor split into two teams for a scrimmage.
However, the occasional flashes of light and the clicks of the camera on the pitch made them feel at a loss for a while.
Colin stood on the highest platform, excitedly taking pictures with his camera, capturing every shot of Harry Potter perfectly.
"Wow, I knew Colin admired Harry, but I didn't realize his devotion to his idol was this high."
"It's a good thing he's in Gryffindor, otherwise Wood would probably mistake him for a Slytherin spy," Ron said.
After speaking, Ron seemed to remember something and silently turned his gaze to Aaron, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.
Colin certainly wouldn't spy on Gryffindor's training plan, but Aaron might.
He used to be Slytherin's Seeker; he wouldn't need to take notes. Just by watching on site, he should be able to analyze Wood's tactics.
"Hey, hey, hey! What's with that look?" Aaron said, annoyed. "Don't insult my noble character with your suspicious gaze."
"Ron," Hermione rolled her eyes and said in a chiding tone, "If you're going to be suspicious, at least pick the right person! Aaron isn't like that."
"Exactly, do you think I need to spy for information?
If I wanted to help the Slytherin team, I'd just rejoin as Seeker."
Ron shrugged sheepishly, giving Aaron an awkward but polite smile. "Sorry."
Just then, several people in green robes walked onto the pitch, each holding identical broomsticks.
"See?" Aaron pointed at the Slytherin team. "I'm only here because the Slytherin team is also training. I have no other intentions."
Upon seeing the Slytherin team enter, Wood lost all interest in training and angrily flew down to the ground.
"Flint, this is Gryffindor's training time," Wood said sharply. "Now, please leave."
The rest of the Gryffindor team also flew over to support their Captain; after all, you don't lose face even if you lose the game.
Aaron slapped his forehead. "I knew this would happen."
"Something's not right, let's go check it out," Ron said, then walked down towards the stands.
Besides Harry, the Gryffindor team also had his two brothers. It was impossible not to worry.
Hermione also followed, but after a moment, she returned and said to Aaron, who hadn't moved at all, "You come with us too."
"I don't want to get involved.
This is a dispute between the teams, they won't actually fight."
"Look at how tense they are," Hermione said, annoyed. "You probably don't even believe that yourself."
"Then all the more reason not to go. We might get caught in the crossfire if they fight.
These two Quidditch teams, except for the Seekers, are all older Class students. We'd likely get the short end of the stick if we went," Aaron said matter-of-factly, but seeing an angry Hermione, he sighed helplessly. "It's not that I can't go, but if I do, who should I help?"
Hermione was momentarily stunned. She hadn't considered that point.
If a conflict truly arose, they would definitely help Gryffindor, but Aaron was a Slytherin, and it was more likely he would help the Slytherin team.
"Figured it out, have you?" Aaron smiled meaningfully. "I advise you two not to go down and join the fun.
If the two teams can handle it peacefully, that's great, but if they come to blows, then it'll be a big mess.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape won't ignore it, and then no one will come out well. And the side with more people might even be more in the wrong.
A large group bullying a small one doesn't sound good!
Besides, I don't think even with you two, you'd necessarily beat the Slytherin team."
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Hermione calmed down and took several deep breaths, then grabbed Aaron's arm, intending to pull him onto the pitch. "Come with me."
Aaron was momentarily dazed but quickly reacted, gripping the railing tightly. "Haven't I explained clearly enough?"
"Very clear, but we can't just stand by and watch," Hermionesaid seriously. "And you definitely have a way to resolve this conflict."
"Don't overestimate me," Aaron said, very resistant. "I'm just an ordinary second-Class Wizard."
"If you're ordinary, then there's no one special in the Wizarding World," Hermione pulled harder. "You were the previous Seeker for the Slytherin team, and they'll all respect you. And the Gryffindor team also looks at you differently.
As long as you're willing to mediate, it might not be so troublesome."
Aaron's mouth twitched. "Don't be silly, you said 'might' yourself."
Hermione tried for a few more seconds, and seeing that she couldn't pull Aaron, she reluctantly let go of his arm.
Just as Aaron breathed a sigh of relief, Hermione took out her wand.
Gollum!
Aaron swallowed. "Are you sure you want to do this?
Let me give you a friendly reminder, you can't beat me."
"Just tell me, are you going or not?"
"What if I don't go?" Aaron retorted directly.
"Then when I go down, I'll tell them you're here too. What do you think the Slytherin team will think?"
Aaron blinked, his expression subtly changing. He gave a wry smile. "You win, alright, I'll go."
"Then hurry up!" Hermione pulled Aaron and walked towards the pitch. "Just don't let them start a fight."