(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly.
https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
**********
The next day, news of Erwin defeating a fully-grown troll single-handedly spread throughout Hogwarts.
Lavender Brown in particular kept recounting everything she'd heard from Hermione at lunch, providing a well-considered explanation supplemented with specific details.
This made all the students believe the story was true beyond any doubt.
The school was abuzz with excitement once again.
Erwin had been at Hogwarts for less than two months, yet he'd consistently remained the center of attention.
From changing the Sorting Hat's decision at the Sorting Ceremony, to the thrilling midair rescue during flying class, to joining the Quidditch team as a first-year, and now single-handedly defeating an adult troll… his achievements were staggering.
At this point, Erwin's prominence had even overshadowed the Savior himself.
After all, since entering school, Harry had only demonstrated flying talent.
His gift for Defense Against the Dark Arts remained hidden due to Professor Quirrell's inadequate teaching.
Erwin had once again become the center of everyone's attention.
When dinnertime arrived and Erwin entered the Great Hall, a crowd of students immediately looked at him with open admiration.
It wasn't just Ravenclaw students; there were admirers from every house who watched him with intense interest.
Even Slytherin had quite a few such students.
"What's going on here? "He asked in a low voice.
Facing everyone's stares, Erwin sat down beside Cho, feeling distinctly uncomfortable.
"What else? Someone's story of playing the hero last night has spread everywhere."
Cho spoke with obvious tartness, and listening to her, Erwin's head began to hurt.
"There was no heroism involved. I just wanted to challenge the troll and happened to save Hermione in the process."
Erwin smiled awkwardly.
Remembering Hermione's kiss on the cheek from the previous day, he spoke to Cho with a hint of guilt.
Cho was so irritated that she simply ignored Erwin and turned to talk with Marietta instead.
Erwin had no choice but to coax the girl back to good humor slowly.
****
Saturday arrived, Quidditch match day.
A crisp wind swept over the stadium, carrying with it the low hum of excitement.
However, today's game wasn't Ravenclaw's.
It was Slytherin versus Gryffindor, the fiercest rivalry in Hogwarts.
Erwin sat with Cho, whom he'd finally managed to appease after days of awkward silence.
Together with the rest of the Ravenclaw team, they settled in to watch from the stands, notebooks and Omnioculars ready.
"Slytherin will do whatever it takes to win," Davies warned, eyes fixed on the pitch. "So watch closely, Erwin. You'll need to be ready to protect our players and stop them from pulling the same tricks against us."
Erwin nodded.
"Cho, focus on the Seekers. If Wood really chose Harry, then the boy must be something special. Study how he flies, how he tracks the Snitch. This is good practice."
In the row below, Roger Davies kept turning back to chat with them, his energy boundless as always.
Since the tryouts, Cho and Erwin had been the only new additions to the Ravenclaw team, and Roger seemed determined to make sure they felt welcome, even if it meant talking through
half the match.
"Don't worry, Roger," Erwin said with a faint smile. "I'll protect our Seeker when the time comes."
As he spoke, he reached over and gently took Cho's hand.
Roger smirked but said nothing more. He'd already made his point.
Moments later, the match began.
With a roar of approval from the stands, the two teams soared into the air, their brooms gleaming in the sunlight.
Red and green robes streaked across the sky, colliding and weaving in a blur of motion.
Spectators waved glowing banners enchanted with moving figures, while chants of "Gryffindor!" and "Slytherin!" echoed like rolling thunder.
The competition was fierce, fast, and brutal, but soon, a collective gasp spread through the crowd.
Harry Potter's Nimbus 2000 was trembling uncontrollably, veering and shaking as though possessed.
High above, Harry clung to his broom for dear life, trying desperately not to fall.
Erwin instantly started scanning the stands with sharp, calculating eyes.
It didn't take long to find the source… Professor Quirrell, lips moving rapidly in a silent incantation.
Nearby, Professor Snape appeared to be muttering too, his expression tense and focused.
Erwin's gaze hardened.
He knew who the real culprit was.
There was no hesitation.
His eyes locked onto Quirrell.
His lips barely moved as he whispered a spell so softly that not even the howling wind could carry it.
No one heard, not Cho, not Roger, not anyone.
But if someone had heard Erwin's words at that moment, they would have been struck cold.
"[Cruciatus Curse]."
A faint, sinister green glimmer flashed in Erwin's eyes.
Across the stadium, Quirrell froze mid-whisper, then crumpled to the ground, his body writhing violently in pain, face twisted in silent agony.
Snape, meanwhile, sensed the change; the interference on Harry's broom vanished abruptly.
His eyes swept the stands, searching for the cause, but found nothing.
Relieved yet puzzled, he ended his counter-curse.
Moments later, Harry regained control of his broom, dove sharply, and caught the Golden Snitch with breathtaking precision.
The stadium erupted in cheers.
A while later, Gryffindor had triumphed, 160 to 60.
Erwin exhaled slowly, satisfied.
He'd had plenty of other ways to stop Quirrell, but after drawing the [Cruciatus Curse] five times recently, he'd wanted to test its range and precision.
The result had exceeded expectations.
'Casting at that distance… without a wand… and no magical trace,' he thought, a small smile tugging at his lips.
'Truly, the mark of a Dark Magic master.'
As Gryffindor celebrated in a sea of red and gold and Slytherin slumped in defeat, Erwin felt no urge to linger.
Taking Cho's hand once more, he turned toward the castle, the cheers fading behind them.