This year's Quidditch matches had caused a sensation twice before they even began.
First, Kyle's record of scoring twenty-one goals in ten minutes sparked a Quidditch fever throughout the school.
Before this excitement had subsided, even more sensational news broke: Harry Potter, the widely acknowledged savior of the wizarding world who defeated the Dark Lord, had become the youngest Seeker in a century.
The name Harry Potter alone carried tremendous popularity, and combined with this legendary achievement, this year's Quidditch matches were certain to be more exciting than ever.
Half an hour before the match began, the surrounding stands were already packed, and even the biting cold wind couldn't dampen the spectators' enthusiasm.
"This thing is really useful..."
In the Slytherin stands, Draco looked at the "little snake" wrapped around his arm. It glowed blue all over, providing a wonderful warmth throughout his body that felt indescribably comfortable.
Whenever he extended his arm, the snake would open its mouth and make a "hissing" sound toward the Gryffindor stands across from them.
The only downside was that the sound was too faint, becoming inaudible as soon as the cheering grew louder. Unlike the lion's roar from the opposite side, which was so deafening it could be heard clearly even from inside the castle.
"Why isn't there a premium version this time?" Draco muttered under his breath.
Goyle beside him immediately said, "That Kyle said there wasn't enough time to make one."
He too had a similar little snake wrapped around his arm.
"I heard that, you don't need to remind me." Draco glared at him, then said loudly, "Besides, he promised to bring what I want for the next Slytherin match. It will be bigger, more flexible, and in Slytherin's signature silver and green colors."
Several young wizards nearby perked up with interest. Being well-off, they naturally wouldn't mind acquiring better cheering equipment for themselves.
"Malfoy, this kind of thing must be much more complex than a map..." Someone asked skeptically, "Can Kyle really make it? He's only a second-year."
"Of course he can." Draco replied, raising an eyebrow, "In fact, he's already promised me."
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Meanwhile, at the nearby Hufflepuff stands, Cedric raised the same question.
"Kyle, can you really fulfill Malfoy's requirements?"
"It's a bit troublesome..." Kyle frowned, "But it's not impossible — just a matter of spending some time on it."
The items they had been selling previously were merely transformed glass bottles with added sound effects, which weren't too difficult to make.
But Draco's list of requirements couldn't be solved with just transformation spells. That would require genuine magical artifacts.
However, in the face of one hundred Galleons, these troubles were minor issues.
Cedric understood Kyle's meaning and clicked his tongue in amazement. The wealthy Malfoy family lived up to their reputation, willing to spend one hundred Galleons on a toy — more than his father's monthly salary.
After a while, the professors arrived. Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape... even Professor Sprout, who usually stayed in the greenhouse, had come.
Except for Headmaster Dumbledore, it seemed that all the school's teachers and students had gathered around the Quidditch field. Many students brought binoculars, and some of the seats at the back had been elevated into the air, though it was still sometimes difficult to see the action on the field clearly.
Soon, both teams entered the Quidditch field through the tunnel.
The Gryffindor stands erupted in excited cheers at the sight of Harry Potter in his team uniform, followed by countless deafening lion roars.
"That thing is so awesome..." Ron looked enviously at the blue lion heads in Neville and Seamus's hands, and said sourly to Hermione, "You really should have bought one too."
"There's no need, Ron." Hermione shook her head, "It's just a simple Bluebell Flames charm and Transformation spell, not worth fifteen Sickles at all. Besides, didn't I already make one for you?"
"That's different." Ron looked down at the transparent jar in his hand.
Although it was warm, it couldn't make a lion's roar.
Kyle had explained that these were support props designed to liven up the atmosphere. The warming function was merely an extra feature to help everyone watch the game more comfortably — not even factored into the price.
Seeing Ron's disdainful expression, Hermione angrily raised her eyebrows and snatched the jar from his hand.
"If you don't want it, give it back to me!"
A gust of wind blew past, making Ron shiver involuntarily before he'd even realized what had happened.
"Brr, it's so cold! Hermione..."
"Hmph!" Hermione snorted coldly and turned away, ignoring him.
Deep down, she knew the warming jar she'd made was very different from what the others were holding.
On the way to the match, she had secretly tried several times. Though she could transform the jar, her version was far less elaborate than Kyle's, and she couldn't produce the lion's roar at all.
This stark difference had already made Hermione quite dejected, and Ron's disdainful expression was like pouring salt on an open wound.
Left with no alternative, Ron shuffled closer to Neville and Seamus, finally escaping the biting cold.
Just then, the match began with the sound of a whistle.
[Look, the Quaffle is immediately seized by Gryffindor's Angelina Johnson…]
Lee Jordan's voice echoed from the commentary box. He had successfully earned the position of the new Quidditch commentator.
However, after just one proper sentence, he veered off-topic.
[That girl is such an excellent Chaser, and she's also quite attractive...]
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall admonished disapprovingly.
[Sorry, Professor.]
A wave of laughter rippled through the crowd.
Kanna glanced at the commentary box and said quietly, "This year's commentary feels a bit... um, special."
"Understandable." Kyle shrugged and smiled, "Lee is friends with Fred and George — you shouldn't expect him to be too normal."
Cedric nodded in deep agreement beside him, but soon he froze.
Wait, wasn't he also friends with Fred and George?...
Up in the stands, Lee continued his commentary.
To be fair, despite his occasional provocative remarks, Lee's professional ability was quite solid, having earned his position through rigorous selection. His commentary remained accurate and insightful throughout the match.
The audience quickly warmed to his refreshing style — less formal than previous commentators but far more entertaining once they adjusted to it.
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