"So... you still plan to return to England?"
After listening to Gemma's plans for her future, Sherlock understood what she meant.
"Three years."
Gemma waved her wand again, and the empty butterbeer in front of her disappeared, replaced by a fresh one on the table.
"At most three years, and I'll be able to obtain the highest international dragon handler qualification."
As she tilted her head back to sip her third butterbeer, her pale neck rose and fell slightly with each swallow.
"The British Ministry of Magic needs fresh blood. If certain dark creatures really do start causing trouble, I think I should be able to help you then."
Gemma smiled gently, the three butterbeers in quick succession making her cheeks flush. Her already beautiful face appeared even more enchanting at this moment.
The rainstorm outside suddenly intensified, pattering against the windows.
"Romanian brandy is certainly worth tasting."
Sherlock tapped his butterbeer with his knuckles. He still hadn't finished his first glass.
"But Hogsmeade's oak-aged brew is more suited to British stomachs."
Gemma suddenly reached out with her right hand and placed it on the back of Sherlock's hand, her eyes revealing a hint of anticipation.
"This Christmas, I plan to give you a special gift."
Sherlock felt Gemma's smooth palm against the back of his hand, but he only looked at her without speaking.
Gemma's face flushed slightly, and she quickly withdrew her hand, as if the touch had been merely an illusion.
"I'm sure you'll be delighted."
"I'm not delighted at all!"
In the cold, drafty Quidditch changing room beside the pitch, where the light was gradually dimming, Gryffindor team captain Oliver Wood had called everyone together for a meeting.
"We're not playing against Slytherin anymore—Flint just came to see me. We're playing Hufflepuff instead."
"Why?" the other team members asked in unison.
"Flint's excuse is that their Seeker is injured. He fell off his broomstick during practice and broke his leg."
Wood was gnashing his teeth furiously, looking like an enraged lion. "But I think they're also using this opportunity to back out, just don't want to play in weather like this, thinking it'll reduce their chances of winning..."
The storm had been raging all day, and even as Wood spoke, they could hear distant thunder rumbling.
Harry was stunned. "Malfoy's injured?"
He couldn't help but remember the advice Hermione and Ron had given him in first year when he learned Snape would be refereeing—to either "pretend to break your leg" or "actually break your leg."
Surely Malfoy hadn't done the same thing?
Clearly, Harry wasn't the only one thinking this.
"He must be faking it! Just two days ago I saw him with that Slytherin girl!" Fred said.
"Just like you said—pretend to break your leg and you don't have to play us in this awful weather!" George added.
"Unfortunately, it's true. Flint brought a note from Madam Pomfrey. She confirmed that Malfoy broke his bone and needs to rest in the hospital wing for at least three days. Three days from now will be Saturday—you know she couldn't be lying to us."
"That's perfect, when he gets out, he can play right away!"
"You're too naive, Harry. How could Slytherin let their Seeker play in an official match right after leaving the hospital wing?"
Wood looked as if he were wearing a mask of pain. "We've been practicing with Slytherin as our target, and now we're playing Hufflepuff. Their style is quite different. They have a new captain: the Seeker Cedric Diggory..."
At this, the three girls on the team, Chasers Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, and Katie Bell suddenly started laughing.
"What are you laughing at?"
Wood frowned, somewhat displeased with their frivolous behavior.
"Diggory, he's that tall, handsome boy, isn't he?" Angelina said.
"Yes, strong and quiet," Katie said, and they giggled again.
"He's quiet because he's too stupid to say two words at once."
Fred said impatiently.
His words immediately drew disapproval from the three girls.
"I don't understand."
Meanwhile, George said, "Oliver, why are you worried? Compared to other teams, Hufflepuff is a piece of cake. One Cedric is nothing to worry about! Have you forgotten?
Last time we played them, when Snape was refereeing. Harry set the record for fastest Snitch catch in history!"
"This is different!"
Wood immediately turned to the Weasley twins and shouted angrily, his emotions so intense that his eyes were bulging.
"After becoming captain, Diggory assembled a strong lineup, and he himself is an excellent Seeker! This is exactly what I was worried about! The match hasn't even started and you dare to underestimate them? We must focus. Slytherin wants to disrupt our rhythm. we must hold steady and not give them any opportunities!"
"Oliver, calm down."
George was surprised; he hadn't expected Wood to react so intensely.
"Don't worry, we'll take Hufflepuff seriously, very seriously."
Harry just watched quietly, not speaking throughout.
When training ended and they returned to the common room, he immediately told his three friends the news. He found that none of them were surprised—not one showed any sign of shock.
Harry couldn't help but ask, "What? Did you already know?"
Ron said lazily, "Our Head Girl Gemma specifically sought out Sherlock to tell him about it. Speaking of which, she really cares about him!"
Hermione glanced at Ron but said nothing.
"Sherlock, is the thing about Malfoy true?"
"I've already been to the hospital wing. It's true."
Sherlock looked at Harry. "His leg is broken. Madam Pomfrey can heal it, but she's requiring him to stay in the hospital for observation for a few days."
After finishing his conversation with Gemma, Sherlock had gone to the hospital wing. There he found Malfoy lying in a hospital bed with Pansy feeding him.
Since Malfoy had apologized to Harry at the start of term, he'd been keeping a very low profile. Who would have thought he'd quietly pull off something this big?
"Haha, that guy didn't just break his leg."
Ron said gleefully, "Remember last year when his father bought seven Nimbus 2001s for Slytherin? When he fell off his broom, it hit the Whomping Willow!
Harry, you know the Whomping Willow, right? What, you don't? Never mind. Anyway, that tree didn't like being hit, so it smashed Malfoy's broomstick to pieces!"
Harry hadn't heard about this from Wood and couldn't help showing surprise. "That happened too?"
Hermione handed Harry a photograph.
After looking at it, Harry's heart clenched.
Where was the broomstick? It was just a dozen wooden fragments and twigs looking completely unrecognizable.
Perhaps because Malfoy had already apologized to him, and given Harry's kind nature, unlike the gleeful Ron, Harry didn't feel much satisfaction. On the contrary, seeing the remains of the broomstick, he felt a faint sense of sympathy.
Objectively speaking, Malfoy was an excellent Seeker. Harry, who had deep feelings for his Nimbus 2000, understood well the bond between Quidditch players and their broomsticks.
"Where did this photo come from?"
"Your fan took it specially."
Hermione looked both amused and restrained. "He originally wanted to deliver the photo to you personally, but he ran into some Slytherin students. Luckily, Professor Flitwick was nearby, or he probably would have gotten beaten up badly."
Harry gasped.
Colin Creevey—that little boy was truly recklessly brave!
Thanks to Ginny fully exercising her initiative, Colin had stopped following Harry around all the time recently. However, his passionate feelings for Harry remained. So, when something like this happened, he immediately had to make his presence known.
Moreover, the photo really was well taken. Harry tried putting himself in Malfoy's position and could feel the heartache.
"Gemma asked me to remind you that Hufflepuff's new captain Diggory has reorganized the team, and they're stronger than last year."
Sherlock glanced at Harry twice, then showed a smile. "But it seems Wood has already told you this."
"Yes, he told us not to underestimate them."
Harry recounted today's training session in detail, including what Wood had told them beforehand.
"Wood's choice is absolutely correct, never underestimate your opponent."
Sherlock agreed. "My advice remains the same. quick victory. Find the Golden Snitch as fast as possible and catch it. Also, Harry, I suggest you seek out Cho Chang."
"Cho?"
"Yes. Although the second half of last year's Quidditch season was cancelled, besides the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff also played. Ravenclaw won that match. At the time, Cedric Diggory wasn't captain yet, but he was already the Seeker. Cho Chang should be able to help you."
After saying this, Sherlock suddenly glanced toward the door and showed a smile. "Harry, women truly are your forte. she's even more proactive than I imagined."
You can read more than 40 chapters on:
patreon.com/MikeyMuse