Today, the weather outside was exceptionally good—just like Eda's mood. The sky was clear and bright, and the air carried the scent of summer.
But despite the beautiful weather, the Gryffindor stands couldn't muster any enthusiasm, because everyone knew Harry wouldn't be playing in this match.
Even though he was only a first-year, Harry was already the best Seeker among all four Houses. In a match that would determine the Quidditch Cup, their star player couldn't take the field. This situation left the Gryffindor students feeling hopeless.
The team's substitute Seeker was Eda, who had just returned to school. She would be stepping in for Harry in the match, but this news did little to lift Gryffindor's spirits.
From those in Eda's year, it was known that her flying skills were dismal—so much so that in first year, she hadn't even been able to summon a broom to her hand.
With flying skills that pitiful, how could she possibly fill Harry's role on the team and help them win?
Many little lions thought: "We're going to lose anyway, might as well send me out there."
No one wanted to see their team lose, but reality forced them to lower their heads. Gryffindor could only hope the team wouldn't lose too badly—just not as pitifully as the dwindling rubies in their hourglass.
There was another group within Gryffindor as well: the "Anti-Eda Faction" led by Kenneth Toller. They didn't want Gryffindor to lose either, but they had already prepared an excuse in case they did. Just look at Twist—her face, her height—wasn't she just perfect for taking the blame?
If the team lost by a small margin, it was because Twist failed to catch the Golden Snitch. If the team lost badly, it was still because Twist failed to catch the Golden Snitch. In short—everything was Twist's fault!
As someone who had once admired Eda, Kenneth Toller considered himself well-acquainted with her abilities. He had personally witnessed that flying lesson back then, and he had been one of the participants in that brawl.
He didn't believe for a second that Eda could go from a joke to a prodigy in just over two years—a phoenix rising from the ashes? Impossible.
Unlike the dispirited Gryffindors, Slytherin was full of confidence—especially after learning that Harry wouldn't be playing. They were certain of their victory.
When it came to fighting, Twist might be good. But when it came to Quidditch? Twist was a complete amateur—an amateur among amateurs.
Cody Avery, the first student in the school to suffer at Eda's hands, had kept a low profile ever since. Now, in the stands, the corners of his mouth were twitching upward uncontrollably.
The match hadn't even begun, yet he could already picture Slytherin lifting the cup—and that despicable Mudblood falling off her broom. Hopefully breaking her neck.
Avery couldn't contain his joy. He might not be able to take revenge with his own hands just yet, but watching her make a fool of herself was good enough for now.
In the Gryffindor locker room, team captain Oliver Wood was doing his best to boost morale. He tirelessly went over the key points of the match, explaining how they could still win—even though deep down, he didn't feel confident at all.
Just earlier, Eda had flown a few laps over the Forbidden Forest on her Comet Seven-Star. Her performance had surprised Wood.To be honest, based on Eda's current level, you'd never believe she was the same girl who couldn't even hold a broom properly back in first year.
Still, flying well was one thing—competing in a match was another. One was flying freely as you wished, the other was chasing after the Golden Snitch while dodging Bludgers and interference from opposing players.
Oliver Wood still felt a bit anxious on Eda's behalf. He hoped she'd really be able to hold her own against the Slytherins and create more scoring opportunities for the team.
"All right, lads—"
Wood finally wrapped up his fiery pre-game speech, but his closing line sparked dissatisfaction from Angelina.
"And ladies!" she corrected.
The team's three Chasers were all girls: Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, and Katie Bell. Add to that the substitute Seeker, Esmeralda Twist, and four out of the seven players were female after all.
"Right, and ladies," Wood continued. "It's time to show everyone who the best really is. We're going to bring the long-lost Quidditch Cup back to Gryffindor!"
"Let's go!"
The door to the players' tunnel hadn't opened yet. Since she was the Seeker, Eda stood slightly behind Captain Wood. Wood turned to her and asked, "First time on the field—nervous?"
"A bit," Eda admitted. She still preferred the feeling of having solid ground under her feet.
"That's fine. I was nervous my first time too. Two minutes after the game started, I got hit by a Bludger and didn't wake up in the hospital wing for a week," Wood said with a grin. "So just do your best. You focus on doing your best, and leave the rest to miracles."
"..."
Hearing what was probably meant to be comforting words from Wood, Eda politely said, "Oliver, if you don't know how to comfort people, maybe you should let someone else handle it next time. Really, you're not cut out for it…"
Fred added from behind, "The greatest victory for Oliver is just making it through an entire match."
George followed up, "Especially when it's against Slytherin—that's when he gets hit by Bludgers the most."
"They're the ones who foul first…" Oliver Wood protested weakly. It wasn't like he wanted it to be this way—the other team just never let him off the hook.
The tunnel doors opened, and the Gryffindor players mounted their broomsticks one by one, flying out over the pitch in order.
Eda followed behind Wood, joining the warm-up lap around the stadium. Of course, she could've tried a few stunt maneuvers to win a louder cheer—if she were confident she wouldn't fall off her broom.
In the stands, the Gryffindor students were shocked to discover that the Eda they'd underestimated was actually flying quite well. She followed steadily behind Wood, executing sudden accelerations and sweeping turns around the stands with impressive ease.
Because this match would determine the winner of the Quidditch Cup, the stands were packed. Even Professor Bathsheda Babbling, who usually lived the life of a recluse, was present—and so was Headmaster Dumbledore.
In the stands, Professor McGonagall's eyes never left Eda. Her applause at that moment was reserved for Eda alone.
After the Slytherin players finished their lap around the pitch, both teams gathered in the center of the field. Madam Hooch, holding her broomstick, addressed the players: "Listen up, I want a fair and honest game from everyone…"
Hovering on her broomstick above the pitch, Eda slowly exhaled. She still didn't like the rootless sensation of flying through the air, but she was no longer instinctively afraid of the sky. At last, she understood what a joy it could be to soar through the skies.
Eda didn't bother listening to Madam Hooch's words about fair play. Instead, her eyes swept contemptuously over the Slytherin players one by one.
She even mouthed something to the Slytherin captain, Marcus Flint: "Heard you've been acting bold lately!"
Naturally, the Slytherin players noticed Eda's arrogant behavior. Flint in particular was fuming, grinding his teeth in anger.
He wanted to teach this cheeky little girl a lesson—this was a Quidditch pitch, not some place for Twist to run wild.
Looking at the gorilla-like Marcus Flint, Eda smirked in disdain. She knew exactly what he was thinking, and she was very much looking forward to seeing how he planned to get back at her.
Madam Hooch tossed the Quaffle into the air and blew her silver whistle hard.
The match between Gryffindor and Slytherin had officially begun!
The Quaffle had barely started to fall before Angelina sped in and grabbed it. Though her physical strength couldn't compare with the brawny Slytherins, she always managed to seize the Quaffle first and create scoring opportunities for her team.
Lee Jordan's over-the-top commentary followed immediately: "Angelina's got the Quaffle! What an outstanding Chaser—and might I add, absolutely stunning. I once tried to ask her out, but was ruthlessly turned down…"
Good thing Angelina had a strong mind, or else that little remark would've had her falling right off her broom.
Angelina darted forward, skillfully dodging Slytherin's defenders. Just as she drew their full attention, she executed a brilliant pass to Alicia, who had swooped in to support.
Alicia didn't choose to pass it back or attempt a direct breakthrough. Instead, she launched the Quaffle in a long, precise throw toward Katie Bell.
Katie nimbly evaded a closing defender and sent the ball flying past the goal guarded by Miles Bletchley—Gryffindor scored first!
Eda, holding a VIP Quidditch ticket in spirit, clenched her fist in celebration at the brilliant play. She hovered in the air above the pitch, seemingly having forgotten her role as Seeker—more like a spectator riding a broom to enjoy the match.
But just as she celebrated Gryffindor's opening score, Slytherin's retaliation came.
Beaters Derrick and Bole both sent Bludgers hurtling straight toward the completely unprepared Eda.
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